OP
OP
George Farmer
ad aqua
Thanks again for the advice but I have thought long and hard about the situation and have decided to...... start from scratch!!
You probably think I'm mad but let me explain.
I needed to identify the cause of the BGA (cyanobacteria). It's no use just treating the symptom with antibiotics etc. The BGA will return when the antibiotics are exhausted. I don't like the idea of adding treatments regularly. I have narrowed down the cause to a few factors.
1. The massive overhaul and removal of lots of healthy plants when I began to change my layout has thrown off the balance. I was lured into a false sense of security when I witnessed my new plants growing well with no apparent problems.
2. The removal of my large rooted plants i.e. Amazon swords left some roots still in the substrate. These have rotted over time and caused excess toxins to fester in the gravel.
3. Due to recent good weather the water temp. has increased so I switched off my heater cable. Consequently the substrate has gone (I think) anaerobic leading to hydrogen sulphide pockets and ultimately BGA.
4. I removed the 250ml RowaPhos (phosphate removal media) from my external canister filter (Fluval 204) in the belief that the plants would deal with any excess phosphate levels. In hindsight and reading up on the Redfield Ratio (thanks iggy01) I reckon my low nitrate levels and higher phosphate levels have contributed to the BGA trigger.
5. I never vacuum my gravel. Traditionally I am actually overstocked fish-wise but always considered myself safe in that my nitrates were always low and I am over-filtered (Juwel internal plus Fluval 204 and under-gravel heating).
6. Spare time is very limited (the reason I changed to layout to begin with) with a new baby and work pressures. I have not been giving my tank the attention I normally do therefore failing to spot early signs of any problems.
All these factors have combined and led to the BGA outbreak and my tank’s demise.
The BGA has definitely originated from the substrate. I remember seeing vague signs weeks back – dark green/blue patches appearing in front of the gravel visible on the front glass. I initially dismissed them as detritus but before I knew it BGA has taken over.
As result of my (probably entire) substrate becoming infested I have decided to replace it all along with most of my plants. Most of you may see this as a hardship but personally I am quite excited. I love the planning and execution of setting up a new aquascape. Besides, I was never really happy with my old substrate – fine pea gravel with laterite. The gravel contains lime which constantly dissolves boosting my hardness levels. I had to keep this in check via water changes with very soft water. The laterite is two years old now and has probably been nearly exhausted of its nutrients.
I only hope my mistakes can be a lesson to you all.
See my 34 Gallon Journal for my future plans (click on the link below my signature).
You probably think I'm mad but let me explain.
I needed to identify the cause of the BGA (cyanobacteria). It's no use just treating the symptom with antibiotics etc. The BGA will return when the antibiotics are exhausted. I don't like the idea of adding treatments regularly. I have narrowed down the cause to a few factors.
1. The massive overhaul and removal of lots of healthy plants when I began to change my layout has thrown off the balance. I was lured into a false sense of security when I witnessed my new plants growing well with no apparent problems.
2. The removal of my large rooted plants i.e. Amazon swords left some roots still in the substrate. These have rotted over time and caused excess toxins to fester in the gravel.
3. Due to recent good weather the water temp. has increased so I switched off my heater cable. Consequently the substrate has gone (I think) anaerobic leading to hydrogen sulphide pockets and ultimately BGA.
4. I removed the 250ml RowaPhos (phosphate removal media) from my external canister filter (Fluval 204) in the belief that the plants would deal with any excess phosphate levels. In hindsight and reading up on the Redfield Ratio (thanks iggy01) I reckon my low nitrate levels and higher phosphate levels have contributed to the BGA trigger.
5. I never vacuum my gravel. Traditionally I am actually overstocked fish-wise but always considered myself safe in that my nitrates were always low and I am over-filtered (Juwel internal plus Fluval 204 and under-gravel heating).
6. Spare time is very limited (the reason I changed to layout to begin with) with a new baby and work pressures. I have not been giving my tank the attention I normally do therefore failing to spot early signs of any problems.
All these factors have combined and led to the BGA outbreak and my tank’s demise.
The BGA has definitely originated from the substrate. I remember seeing vague signs weeks back – dark green/blue patches appearing in front of the gravel visible on the front glass. I initially dismissed them as detritus but before I knew it BGA has taken over.
As result of my (probably entire) substrate becoming infested I have decided to replace it all along with most of my plants. Most of you may see this as a hardship but personally I am quite excited. I love the planning and execution of setting up a new aquascape. Besides, I was never really happy with my old substrate – fine pea gravel with laterite. The gravel contains lime which constantly dissolves boosting my hardness levels. I had to keep this in check via water changes with very soft water. The laterite is two years old now and has probably been nearly exhausted of its nutrients.
I only hope my mistakes can be a lesson to you all.
See my 34 Gallon Journal for my future plans (click on the link below my signature).
I totally agree about treating the cause and not the symptom. Just one question. How will you know what caused the outbreak by stripping your tank? 
/www.barrreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1
