Bba

[Ian H]

Started off on one or two leaves, is now on anything slow growing (my crypts, java fern and anuibas (sp?)) also started on the heaters

Am i right in assuming that a steady supply of co2 will kill this type of algae? at the moment i have 3 nutrafin co2 kits on the tank which i know is not enough

The tank is 380L, decent light (4x 40w lights with reflectors on 2 of them) and gets dosed with TPN (15ml every other day) the stocking is quite heavy, but not sure if nitrates (or lack of) change anything with BBA?

I've also heard CAE will eat this stuff?

 

[aaronnorth]

In a high light tank it is an indication of low or fluctuating CO2 levels or not enough water circulation around the plants.

You should remove any signs of algae a.s.a.p otherwise it will take over, just a tip for next time, make sure you sort it out and it wont come back.

 

[Ian H]

is that considered high light?

So cut/scrape it off and get a decent co2 kit (was meant to this month, then the boiler in the house broke )

Can it just be cut off and netted up or is it a case of taking the plants out and doing it that way? will it re-attach/stay alive if its not attached to anything?

 

[aaronnorth]

yes it is high light, just cut off the leaves.

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Ian,

I've had a BBA problem for around 6 months now, so you're not alone.

There are a few aglaecides on the market, and Flourish Excel is one of them. I've heard on here that people triple-dose it to kill the algae, so i tried it and lost a Cory and 3 Rummy-Noses. Needless to say, i won't do that again.

I have since been advised that it will still have the algaecide effect in the proper dose, just not as quickly, so i'm trying that now.

In answer to your question, sufficient and stable CO2 won't kill the algae, but will help to prevent its return when you get rid of it. It is a preventative measure, not a cure.

As Aaron says, flow is a big factor too. Even if you have sufficient CO2, BBA may still appear if you don't have sufficient flow because the CO2 is not being circulated evenly around the plants and the ones which aren't getting the CO2 (or not as much anyway) can be at risk of BBA.

Many of the plant guys are recommending 10 - 20 times turnover now.

Address these issues (if any apply) and follow Aaron's instructions about removing all visible existing BBA, and your problem should deplete (hopefully).

P.S. I'm no plant expert, i'm just passing on what i have been advised about my BBA problem.

Hope this helps you

BTT

 

[aaronnorth]

BTT, did you gradually up the dosing to 3x, if you just go straight in to it then that can give you problems.

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Aaron,

I started dosing with 3 x the recommended amount, unfortunately. I had heard that it would be ok so thought nothing of it. I won't be doing it again. I am now dosing at the recommended dosage.

Cheers

BTT

 

[aaronnorth]

you should gradually up it, dose 1x over the reccomendations the first day, then 2x the second day...

 

[Amunet]

I did the 3x the dose of Excel thing and it got rid of my BBA problem. It didn't look like it was doing anything but feeding it at first, but one day I woke up and it was all red.

 

[Ian H]

where can i get this stuff from? and what is it? (im assuming some sort of fert?)

From what i've read and what you guys have said it should be fine as long as it's stepped up slowly? Also remember reading some one directly spraying the bba?