Brush Algae

[weathermen]

Hi all,

I have to curse of brush algae, small black hair spores on plants, wood, and hardware, what can I do get rid of it? Some plants have been untouched by it but and other’s are drowning in the black stuff, I have purchased some “eSHa Protalon-707” which hasn’t arrived yet! Also I was recommended a clay filter media to go into my fluval 304, which I will do tonight, are there any other tips by you guys, the tank has been running for 4 month’s I had a little brown algae outbreak but not like this stuff, unfortunately I don’t have my readings for you on nitrite, nitrates, etc.

Please help

Cheers Nick.


Sorry but I have just read an article on using BLEACH! A mixture of 1 part bleach to 19 parts water, has anyone done this and is it really safe?

 

[Themuleous]

Hi,

I think the bleach method is really for use when you first add the plants to the tank, rather than taking them all out and doing it then, apart from the bleach the disturbance is likely to upset the plants and the hassel of actually doing it would be crazy!

Do you have a pic of the algae? If it's the same as BBA, then I suggest to read this thread and this thread, they should help you sort it out.

Hope this helps

Sam

 

[weathermen]

thanks I will check those links out, yes it is BBA, thanks for you help, if anyone else can help please do,

 

[weathermen]

any others on this because treament is not working, is everywhere now leaves equipment, I'm lost! the towel will have to be thrown in soon, it's beating me!

 

[karlp]

Hi Nick

Whats' your tank setup and nitrates etc ?

Most algea is caused by an incorrect balance of CO2, Light, Nutrients. The most effective approach seems to be to get the balance right for your lighting and then prune out the algae infected stuff on a regular basis. it should clear up on it's own after that.

 

[weathermen]

i'll get the stats tonight, it all started when I started to inject c0 2 into the tank, before then everything was fine! I've had a new test kit delivered today to dip strips rather than liquid, I don't trust them all the time,

cheers

 

[Nim]

I think there was some confusion regarding Bleach and Hydrogen peroxide.

Peroxide if used in 1ml per gallon of tank water of 7.5% wv potency is perfectly safe to use with fish and the beneficial bacteria but this dose is lethal to algae and some delicate plants. Treating the tank with H2O2 for 24 hours without any activated carbon will get rid of almost all species of algae including BGA and green water... BGA however needs some treatment in the gravel as well using syringes.

This is however the last solution in combating algae (Much like using a nuclear bomb in a battlefield) as this can damage plants. Have you tried doing a couple of very large water changes after removing the effected plants/parts of plants?

Nim

 

[weathermen]

hi ya,

I have lost about 6 plants now and more are failing, the treatment will, be finished this week, so friday I will take out all effected plants and clean bog wood and do another 50% water change, hopefully this will help, then re plant the tank to around 75% of the ground surface.

cheers for your help guys/and girls