View Full Version : Staghorn algae
noodles62
10-19-2008, 8:59 AM
What are the secrets to erraticate staghorn algae? I am having a tough time getting it out of my 20 long! It is planted with lots of water sprite, a soon to be consumed, small java fern and remnants of java moss that was full of it! I have 40 watts over the tank...Any ideas!?!? :help:
phanmc
10-19-2008, 8:56 PM
Flourish Excel is effective against BBA like staghorn, use it for a week and you should notice a difference.
noodles62
10-20-2008, 5:38 PM
I am giving it a shot. Hopefully it will work. Thanks!
co2 UP, more water changes, less feeding, if stock allows SAE tear it up
spot treatment with excel helps
noodles62
10-20-2008, 5:57 PM
co2 UP, more water changes, less feeding, if stock allows SAE tear it up
spot treatment with excel helps
I am not injecting co2 so I guess excel is my only option? What do you mean by spot treatment? I wish I could get a hold of some SAE's; I like them regardless of the algae! LOL
phanmc
10-20-2008, 6:58 PM
20g tank is a bit small for SAEs, they can grow to be 6 inches in length and prefer to be in groups.
Excel is a decent alternative to CO2 and does have algaecidal effects on top of that. Combine it with a little bit of ferts weekly and your plants will thrive, which is the real key to controlling algae.
Ajordan
10-21-2008, 7:13 AM
to me, spot treatment means adding, in this case, excel directly to the algae. This can be done with a syringe (no needle needed) or perhaps even a turkey baster if you dilute the excel dose first.
The idea is that you get a higher concentration of excel hitting the algae before it dilutes in the tank. It will have the same benefit either way but I feel like spot treating gives a little boost.
noodles62
10-21-2008, 7:34 AM
to me, spot treatment means adding, in this case, excel directly to the algae. This can be done with a syringe (no needle needed) or perhaps even a turkey baster if you dilute the excel dose first.
The idea is that you get a higher concentration of excel hitting the algae before it dilutes in the tank. It will have the same benefit either way but I feel like spot treating gives a little boost.
Thanks! That makes sense. :grinyes: