9 replies to this topic

[Graeme]

Ok before everyone tells me off :oops: i didnt rush into this and did some back yard trials first
I have just treated my main planted tank with a algae treatment.I used a direct dose onto the algae( beard i think) the chemical sits on the algae(its white and easy to see)
I will let you know if it kills the algae, if it doesnt well i will be back looking for some new plants.
I did only treat directly and its at about 1/4 of the rate recommended to treat my tank size. So far fish and plants look ok........

[punie]

Graeme!

Haven't heard from ya in ages! How're you going mate?

Anyways, here's my 2 cents on this issue.

I never add any algae killing chemicals in my tanks for good reasons.

Firstly,

We must understand what algae is, and how it thrives.
Algae is a plant in my eyes. Why it appears is due to the lack of or the excess of certain nutrients in the water. Confusing? Lets try to explain this.

Plants thrive on this equation:

Plant + Optimum Light + Optimum C02 + Macro Nutrients + Micro Nutrients = Growth.

now if 1 of the elements to this equation is changed, be it more or less, the whole equation screws up.

Thus, for example,

Plant + Optimum Light + Optimum c02 + Underdosage of Macro + Micro Nutrients = Low or No Growth.

Simply put, when there's an underdosage of Macro, the plant will cease to absorb the micros, leaving excess micros in the water (and Vice Versa), which means its fertilisation for algae to thrive upon.

However, what these chemicals such as pond algae cleaners do is they rid the water of all nutrients, thus algae has no nutrients to survive on and eventually die. But what it also means is, neither does your plant get any nutrients and they become weak or die.

Thus the best way to rid algae is not by chemicals nor by fishes by rather by understand what causes the algae and rectifying the problems.

Different algaes represent different conditions.
Hair Algae represents high iron levels. Thus when i get it, i test to see if i'm dosing too little macro and too much micros or vice versa.

But with 1 bottle does it all liquid ferts, its hard to control the dosing at all. Which is why i choose PMDDs.

Hope this wasn't too long a post.

Cheers,
Jerome

[KrUsTy]

hey jerome,
what are pmdds, are they home made ferts? where do you get the stuff for it all?
ta
Justin

[punie]

Hey Justin,

PMDD stands for Poor Man's Dupla Drops
The mixtures can be created with stuff from hydroponic stores around.

Btw, are you the one that wanted the co2 setups?
Please do check your email. I've sent you one ages ago.

Cheers,
Jerome

[Brett]

Hi Graeme,

Still having algea problems, aren't we all!!

Interested to hear of your experience. Which "algecide " did you use and what results did you get.

Cheers
Brett

[mtchye]

Hi guys,

I think its a lot harder to keep things in balance if we keep mucking about with it.. lol.. Unless you are going for the fast growing planted tank look, I find that if the tank is not overstocked and you have a good supply of algae eaters, that the algae will usually be mild or cycle away by itself.

As for black brush algae, it can be very rampant or very slow growing. I do think its something to do with too much iron or micronutrients in the water. In the past when I've had it in a lil planted tank of mine what worked really well was hydrogen peroxide squirted directly onto the algae. You can also take out things covered in the algae out of the tank and pop them into a bucket of peroxide. The "active oxygen" kills those algal molecules but mostly leaves the plant stuff alive. LOL a leaf out of those detergent ads...

Anyway now that I do not run a planted tank where I'm pushing for lush immediate growth (too much trimming for me! But beautiful to look at...) I find most of my tanks despite not fine tuning anything get a little green spot algae on the glass at most! I popped some root sticks into my main 4x2x2 the other day and got a little fine soft thread algae, but that also seems to have disappeared. Seems like I only get algae when I mess around - which of course you have to do to maintain the balance in a tank with high light and high co2... but not really necessary otherwise.

I don't know whether your tank is a fully planted affair or just has the odd anubias and few fish.. perhaps you could try more large water changes and less adding of stuff to see if that works for you... Each tank is different and some ppl are just unlucky with it.. I have a friend that has bouts of green water no matter what style of tank he chooses lol... I can't even culture green water when i want to!

Cheers
Vincent

[Graeme]

Hi everyone
yes has been alongtime away!!!!!
the algacide is AQua master POND clear
active ingredient is simazine
so far no changes to anything in the tank
:roll: :roll: :roll:

[Brett]

Hello Graeme,

Nice to hear from you again

Try this http://www.thekrib.c...e/simazine.html for heaps of info on Simazine. As is so often the case "the Krib" still has much to offer.

So it looks like the Vallis you have is under threat :x :x

My interpretation of the mechanism of action leads me to believe that under-dosing is unlikely to have the desired effect. It will take several weeks to know as the action is slow to take effect. Basically the algea is slowly starved to death. :shock: :shock: Whilst I can not think of a more fitting fate for algea it does mean a considerable delay before you can assess its effectiveness.

Good Luck
Brett

ps Interesting to note that blue-green algea is particularly susceptable to simazine, perhaps this should be tried sooner but at reduced concentration for a blue-green outbreak.

[punie]

Just for general information,

The best way (and its been proven by experts in this trade, namely Tommas Barr) to rid of BGA (Blue Green Alage, the slimy one) is to do a complete black out for a few days.

In order for this to work, the black out must be complete meaning if you have to wrap your tank with black trashbags all over (which i find really good) then so be it.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Jerome

[Graeme]

Ok im a wimp!!!
after reading Bretts link from the KRIB i did a major water change!!!! all the treatment went out into the pond!!!
I dont want to lose my Vallis!!! or any other plants!!!
Thanks for advice guys.
ps i also took out the worst affected stuff and hand cleaned it ,rinsed it, and put back into the tank