$#@% Brush Algae!

[chipper_222]

G'day,

Having all soughts of trouble with brush algae, tried everything, ferts, less light, more light, no light, less food but nothing seems to work. Was told by my LFS yesterday that there is a product called 'Brush Magic' by AZOO which is about the only certain way of ridding my tank of it. Anyone heard or used this product? Any other thoughts on how to remove this algae? I have done water changes cleaned the leaves of my plants, vacuumed gravel and scrubbed ornaments but it keeps coming back.

pH: 7.0
Ammonia: 0.02mg/L
Nitrite: 0.01mg/L
Nitrate: 5.0mg/L
Light: 8hrs per day

Have attached a link for 'Brush Magic' by AZOO

[URL="http/www.aquaria.com.au/catalog/product_...7a7d44a1a9d7c78"]http/www.aquaria.com.au/catalog/product_...7a7d44a1a9d7c78[/URL]

Thanks for you help!

Chip

 

[chipper_222]

anyone?

 

[Mikaila31]

Try a "true" SAE. Make sure its a true one.

 

[chipper_222]

Try a "true" SAE. Make sure its a true one.

Suggestions on a "true" SAE?

 

[aaronnorth]

Ammonia: 0.02mg/L

This is probably your cause, ammonia spikes are one of the most common triggers of algae. BBA is also caused by low/ fluctuating CO2.

It can be treated by using excel, first remove as much as possible, do a 50% water change then overdose it by 3x daily, for a more effeicient way, you can spot dose by getting the daily amount in a pippette and squir it directly onto the leaves, (under water only) turn off the filters for a few minutes and any other flow like powerheads. do this until it is killed off.

Using easycarbo is the same but cheaper. also can you answer:

Size tank (gallons)
Light (watts)
Fertiliser (brand, how much, how often)
CO2 injection or any other form of Carbon?

 

[chipper_222]

Ammonia: 0.02mg/L

This is probably your cause, ammonia spikes are one of the most common triggers of algae. BBA is also caused by low/ fluctuating CO2.

It can be treated by using excel, first remove as much as possible, do a 50% water change then overdose it by 3x daily, for a more effeicient way, you can spot dose by getting the daily amount in a pippette and squir it directly onto the leaves, (under water only) turn off the filters for a few minutes and any other flow like powerheads. do this until it is killed off.

Using easycarbo is the same but cheaper. also can you answer:

Size tank (gallons)
Light (watts)
Fertiliser (brand, how much, how often)
CO2 injection or any other form of Carbon?

Thanks for the reply.....pretty sure its not ammonia spikes since it never gets above 0.02mg/L but definitely could be because of low CO2 since I have no CO2 injection.

Tank: 175L
Light: 3 x 23.5in 20W
Ferts: Leaf Zone by API 20mLs weekly

My water is very soft, low kH and gH.

Don't really have the $$ or the space for CO2 injection so are there other ways?

Chip

Have only just recently taken carbon out of my filter, I think that may have been removing my Fe and K that I was adding through fertilisers. Possible?

 

[aaronnorth]

Thanks for the reply.....pretty sure its not ammonia spikes since it never gets above 0.02mg/L but definitely could be because of low CO2 since I have no CO2 injection.

Even if your test kit registered 0, there wil still be ammonia present, it is constantly being produced and ill never be zero.

Tank: 175L
Light: 3 x 23.5in 20W

you have 1.5WPG, is that with T8 or T5?

Don't really have the $$ or the space for CO2 injection so are there other ways?

You dont have to have it, although if you are interested (it will help) then go DIY: http/www.fishforever.co.uk/carbondioxide.html

Have only just recently taken carbon out of my filter, I think that may have been removing my Fe and K that I was adding through fertilisers. Possible?

Yes, it removes all trace elements as they are metals.

 

[chipper_222]

Good question about T8 or T5 how do I find that out? What's the difference? Is 1.5WPG sufficient?

 

[chipper_222]

Don't know if this help but two of the tubes are "white" and the other tube is "pink".

 

[Bigpig]

Good question about T8 or T5 how do I find that out? What's the difference? Is 1.5WPG sufficient?

T8 are thick tubes. T5 are normally more thinner and more intense lighting

 

[aaronnorth]

T5 are 5/8th of an inch diameter

T8 are 1" diameter

T10 are 1.25"

T12 are 1.5"

 

[chipper_222]

so has anyone heard or used 'Brush Magic'?

 

[Dave Spencer]

Flourish Excel or Easycarbo will clear the BBA and should resolve your low carbon issue.

Forget just adding algicides. You need to understand why you have the algae in the first place, and resolve the issue from this stand point, otherwise it will just keep coming back. BBA is due to insufficient availability of carbon to your plants.

I noticed that you tried reducing ferts. Was this in the belief that excess ferts were possibly causing the algae. If so, you will do well to realise that excess ferts do not cause algae. Low ferts will, but excess ferts in non limiting amounts will not.

Dave.

 

[chipper_222]

Flourish Excel or Easycarbo will clear the BBA and should resolve your low carbon issue.

Forget just adding algicides. You need to understand why you have the algae in the first place, and resolve the issue from this stand point, otherwise it will just keep coming back. BBA is due to insufficient availability of carbon to your plants.

I noticed that you tried reducing ferts. Was this in the belief that excess ferts were possibly causing the algae. If so, you will do well to realise that excess ferts do not cause algae. Low ferts will, but excess ferts in non limiting amounts will not.

Dave.

Thanks Dave,

Will give Flourish Excel a try, fingers crossed.

BBA sucks!!

Chip

 

[aaronnorth]

use easycarbo, it is cheaper