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Hurley
05-26-2008, 11:08 AM
I have a 30 gallon planted tank and when I move in a couple days I am transferring everything over to a new 30gallon. I have major algae problems at the moment, mainly because I haven't been on top of my fert routine for awhile. But, when I move everything I want to try an eliminate as much algae as possible. I was going to do a bleach dip for all my equipment but I wasn't sure what the best method would be for my plants and my gravel. I might just get all new gravel. Right now the algae I am trying to get rid of are Staghorn, Cladophora, Thread Algae, and Black Brush Algae. Here (http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_freshwater_algae.php) is link to pictures of the algae I am talking about.

My plants are as follows:

Anubias, nana and petite
Crypt(unknown),
Heteranthera zosterifolia "Stargrass",
Microsorum pteropus "Java Fern",
Limnophila aquatica,
Hydrocotyle leucocephala "Pennywort",
Hygrophila polysperma ``Sunset''
Giant Hygrophila
Sagittaria subulata
dwarf sagittaria
red Indian sword

Any suggestions?

theotheragentm
05-26-2008, 12:54 PM
Buy a bottle of Flourish Excel. It's a carbon supplement, and although it's not the intended purpose, it seems to destroy algae. Normal dosings may help a little, but if you make a solutions of 1:10 parts Excel to water and dip your plants while transferring them and putting them in the tank right after you dip them, it may cut back on some of the algae on them. Excel does cause some plants to melt. I know Anarchis is one of them, but I'm not sure of the rest. I don't think the plants you've listed should have a problem. That's the reason for the quick dip.

Marinemom
05-26-2008, 4:45 PM
The Florish Excel may help out in the algae department but will not solve the problem. Take note it may melt or destroy anacharis and crypts. Any of the other plants should be fine. I would probably use the Excel on most or all of the affected plants and then when you have everything set back up you can dose with Excel again and your normal routine of ferts and water changes. Hopefully that should help eliminate the problem.

Marinemom