Brush hair algae
- Thread starter 1cooljeep
- Start date
The battle rages on...
I thought I'd update everyone on the fight against the brush hair algae. I've been using 3% hydrogen peroxide to the plants I could remove. I also added 6 SAE's, reduced my lighting program, and changed to E.I. dosing from PPS. All have seemed to help. First treatment was on 12/19. I hit 4 of them again for a 2nd dose yesterday during my water change. Here are some update photos. I am amazed, but this is the same plant with no leafs pruned (replanted at a different angle after treatment)
12-26-2011
12-23-2001
12-19-2011
I've thinned out some of the other plants with affected leaves. I am going to start in on the driftwood today. I can get 2 of the 3 pieces out without too much difficulty. I'd say the tank is 60% better. I've come a long way, but have a long way to go.
Here's an updated tank shot...
I thought I'd update everyone on the fight against the brush hair algae. I've been using 3% hydrogen peroxide to the plants I could remove. I also added 6 SAE's, reduced my lighting program, and changed to E.I. dosing from PPS. All have seemed to help. First treatment was on 12/19. I hit 4 of them again for a 2nd dose yesterday during my water change. Here are some update photos. I am amazed, but this is the same plant with no leafs pruned (replanted at a different angle after treatment)
12-26-2011
12-23-2001
12-19-2011
I've thinned out some of the other plants with affected leaves. I am going to start in on the driftwood today. I can get 2 of the 3 pieces out without too much difficulty. I'd say the tank is 60% better. I've come a long way, but have a long way to go.
Here's an updated tank shot...
You removed the plants and did a 3% peroxide dip?
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using MonsterAquariaNetwork
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using MonsterAquariaNetwork
Essentially yes. I removed the Anubias, they were clearly the most heavily covered. I put drug store hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and gave them a spritz. I left it sit for 3-5 minutes, dunked it in dechlorinated water, then replanted. That's worked so far with the plants I can remove easily. So bad results so far. I've aggressively pruned the rest as best I could. Need to treat the algae on wood. Probably locally hit that with Excell. I'll keep you informed how that goes.
I would think you could use a vegetable brush on the algae on the driftwood after you hit it with excel, or peroxcide. I have algae on my driftwood, but I like the way it looks, so as long as I don't have algae on my plants I leave it be. My algae is a nice bright green so I'm not sure it's the same kind. I also leave any algae and java moss growing on the back glass of my tank for that "natural" look.
BTW your tank is beautiful!
linda
BTW your tank is beautiful!
linda
Good point. Suppose I could leave it on the wood. It's green and black. I'll see what 1 treatment does. Thanks fr the compliment. I saw your thread. Congrats of ridding yourself of algae. I too have started dosing dry ferts with the EI methods. Amazingly easy, isn't it. Your tank looks great, too.
Algae update...
Just for a follow up and for those keeping score at home, most of the algae has been either removed from my plants via a peroxide dip or by aggressive pruning. I still have a considerable amount on several sections of driftwood, but since I turned back the lighting, changed to E.I. fertilization schedule, and upped the CO2 a touch, it has not spread or come back onto my plants. Plant growth with the E.I. is crazy!
Anubias, essentially BBA free!
Before
After
BBA on some driftwood remains...
Growth in the tank is great...
12/25/11
1/6/12
I dipped my smallest center piece of driftwood in peroxide, and that did the trick. I think the other pieces are just too big to get out, dip, and get back in. I'm going to have to treat in place. Thanks to all who offered advice and guidance. I really made a difference and probably saved lots of plants!
Just for a follow up and for those keeping score at home, most of the algae has been either removed from my plants via a peroxide dip or by aggressive pruning. I still have a considerable amount on several sections of driftwood, but since I turned back the lighting, changed to E.I. fertilization schedule, and upped the CO2 a touch, it has not spread or come back onto my plants. Plant growth with the E.I. is crazy!
Anubias, essentially BBA free!
Before
After
BBA on some driftwood remains...
Growth in the tank is great...
12/25/11
1/6/12
I dipped my smallest center piece of driftwood in peroxide, and that did the trick. I think the other pieces are just too big to get out, dip, and get back in. I'm going to have to treat in place. Thanks to all who offered advice and guidance. I really made a difference and probably saved lots of plants!
just wanted to add that the tank looks great. BBA can be a huge pita and it looks like you won the war so far.
