Hi guys,
I have converted my 2ft to a non-CO2 tank based on Tom Barr's principles. Tank is filled with MM, cryptocoryne and java fern. Thing is, there's BGA collecting along the front substrate line of the tank. Substrate is ADA Aquasoil Amazonia. I've tried to clean it up but it just keeps growing back and I'm turning the substrate there mushed up which means better conditions for more BGA.
I know I can do a blackout, but my plants are barely 3 weeks old, and are still establishing especially the crypts. Should I still do the 3 day blackout? I feel I risk interrupting the growth of these young crypts and end up with other forms of algae after BGA dies.
Hi,
What I do is I change the direction of the out flow of the water to blow at the gravel slightly and dose a little more kno3.However, I am only 2-3months into the hobby so my advice may be wrong.
I "favourited" this link back then.... http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/...cteria.html#14
will definitely be helpful.
By the way, my tank is pretty near the window.......so sun is inevitable.
Cal
BGA growing above the substrate level or under it? Did you vac the substrate (mulm is good in a new tank but too much can be bad for an old tank) before you convert to a non-CO2 setup? If its under the substrate, you can consider cleaning the substrate or taping the front glass with black tape to block out the light or view.
Regards
Peter Gwee
Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger
It's under the substrate as well as a little above it along the glass. There looks to be a bit of mulm there. How do you vaccum Aquasoil effectively?
Calamari, that's an idea, I could put some flow into the tank at the affected areas. Thing is, once it's dead can I stop?
The funny thing is .... I saw some BGA appear under the glosso this morning after i posted at night..Irony.
I tried something like this b4......i dropped an airstone in to bubble that area.....then it dissapear in the evening......maybe its just luck.
Cal
I'd say go with the blackout! If you leave the BGA there it will eventually spread and smoulder your crypts anyway. My crypts survived 3 - 4 days blackout. I think yours should too!
Anyone have BGA on floating plants before?
Well I did it, I changed 50% of water and dosed 1/4 teaspoon KNO3 and covered the tank with trash bags taped together. Hopefully no stray ray of light hits inside.
I'm praying that it all dies off and I can enjoy my tank. That's the reason I went non-CO2... will check back 4 days later. That'll be on Sunday.
Make sure you have decent circulation to get around the tank good. Think of ways using spraybars to spread the water current out evenly and gently. Water current brings CO2/nutrients to the plants and help them to grow. When they don't grow well due to still water around that area, algae comes in.
Regards
Peter Gwee
Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger
I'm thinking about getting an extension bar so that I can place the spraybar further down along the side of the tank. Is that correct?
Terence,
Sorry, hijack your thread.
I'm facing the same problem too but I'm having bba collecting along the front centre substrate line of the tank. My non CO2 planted tank is about 1 year old. I have tried removing the bba manually, increaseing the dosage of KNO3 and PO4 but the bba still grown back to the same spot. I have also tried switching to rainbar, changing the position of the pipe but the bba is still there.
However i noticed that it did not spread to the middle ground or the the side. It just stay at the centre (area about the size of a hand). I have now leave it alone.
Will be happy if someone have any solution
SAE's, adding something there besides what you now have, stop doing water changes if you do them.
Spot treat with Excel or peroxide and then add more plants, reduce lighting slightly.
Regards,
Tom Barr
Well its now Friday night and coming to 3 days. I think I shall lift up the covers only on Sunday morning to make it 4 days. After that a good water change + KNO3 is in order and I hope to heaven it doesn't come back.
Well the BGA is totally gone! I shall do a 4 day blackout instead of the recommended 3 from now on.
Dosed 1/4 teaspoon KNO3 and other ferts.
squee, so you done any measures to prevent it, improve the water flow or..?
Hope to see your non-co2 2 feet setup.
The Happiest of people don't neccessary have the best of everything;
they just make the most of everything that comes along their way
When will there be 25 letters in the alphabets?
Not for now, I'm cash strapped so buying that extension to to make the rainbar work isn't really practical. I will definately extend a rainbar along the entire back or consider a vertical rainbar at a corner. I think the vertical rainbar trick will do for now.. I'll do it later.
Picture? Sure...
This is before the blackout, a couple of days.
And this is today, just an hour old after I lifted the thrash bags and cleaned up everything (filter, vaccum substrate floor, change water, clean hoses blah blah)
Both are poorly taken pictures
Last edited by |squee|; 12th Nov 2006 at 14:06.
Terence, you might want to add in more plants yourself...
Abit low in plant mass for a ADA tank...
ANyway, your pictures are fine... The reflections can't be helped in the 2nd picture given the position of your windows...
Cash strapped... and alot of the crypts have melted all their leaves away and have yet to resurface. I'm planning for Elatine Triandra as well as more Java fern asap.
Have you tried injecting Seachem excel directly at the BGA? Works for me, it will turn white if it is dying.
Really? This is the first time I've heard of Excel dealing with BGA.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks