Will Antibiotics Kill My Filter Bacteria

[Spank]

I can see the beginnings of a BGA outburst in my tank so I want to kill it off before it can properly in my tank. I've heard Erythromycin is very effective in combating BGA (also thought of a blackout but not sure if this will stop the problem permanently). BUT will erythromycin kill of the bacteria in my filter as well? and could I send my tank into a cycle? Also, what dose of erythromycin would I need for a 120gl tank?

Thanks
Hank

 

[JamesC]

Why not do a blackout? It's free, quicker and works better than erythromycin if done properly. Erythromycin won't kill your bacteria but may knock them back. No matter what method you use BGA will reappear if you don't fix the root cause.

James

 

[Spank]

Why not do a blackout? It's free, quicker and works better than erythromycin if done properly. Erythromycin won't kill your bacteria but may knock them back. No matter what method you use BGA will reappear if you don't fix the root cause.


James

OK , I'll try the black out then 'cos I can't seem to get my hands on any erythromycin.

I still don't really know what could be causing the BGA, if anyone could help try and explain I'd be very grateful
Lighting-in my 120gl tank I have 270W of lighting, so I make that 2.25 WPG I turn them on for 4 hours between 10am-2pm and also between 6 till 10
I have a pressurised CO2 system that's regulated through a pH controller, pH is set at 6.4 and my KH is 3 degrees
I fertilise with Tropica plant nutrition+ once a week (as per directions), I don't have any fertilisation through the roots though do I need this?
There's no ammonia and little Nitrate, I use RO water (the water butt does however sit in my garden, could algae be getting into my water source?)
I haven't got a phosphate test kit but I do have a big bag of phosphate binder in one of my filters so I'm sort of assuming this will be ok
I guess I could have more plants but I wouldn't say my tank was lightly planted.... here's a pic of it before the BGS has started to creep in

.... do I need heavier planting?

The only thing I can really think of is that I may be over feeding my fish, I'm quite heavily stocked and some of the SA cichlids are very messy, is there anyway round this problem without starving my fish of their food? can I just put more phosphate binder into my filter?

Thanks for helping
HAnk

 

[JamesC]

You have a lot of light on your tank which means that you need to supply a lot of nutrients to keep up with plant demand. Take a look at the Estimative Index pinned thread for some ideas.

Your BGA is caused by low nitrates. TPN+ just isn't going to be enough with your light level as the plants will suck it up so fast leaving none for the rest of the week. Root fertilisation isn't required but is helpful. Look at my planted tank webpage below as I use an inert substrate. Also tells you there how to get rid of BGA. When it says a blackout it means that no light whatsoever must get inside the tank. I used black bin liners taped to the sides and then thick curtains over the top. Any light getting in and it won't work. When finished you'll need to keep your nitrates up to prevent it coming back. BGA hates potassium nitrate.

High light tank + high fish load is harder to do as even small undetectable ammonia spikes can cause havok with algae. You have to be extra careful with feeding and maintenance.

Nice looking tank
James

 

[plecofan]

You shouldn't use anti biotics needlessly. More and more bacteria are becoming immune to anti biotics due to misuse.

Id try a blackout like suggested





oops sorry- i just bumped this old post, didnt realise it was old

 

[raptorrex]

You shouldn't use anti biotics needlessly. More and more bacteria are becoming immune to anti biotics due to misuse.

Id try a blackout like suggested





oops sorry- i just bumped this old post, didnt realise it was old

quite so! and also this is an anti-biotic used for humans too, so inappropriate un prescribed use should be avoided. it may even be illegal without a vets script. an UV filter would be much the better bet!