BGA question

[kooter]

BGA is cynobacter..they can fix nitrogen from the air..they don't need nitrogen in the tank,

erythromycin is an anti biotic which will target and kill the bga.

but you need to make sure you dose for the entire time and the correct dosage.
increase water flow will keep it from getting a foot hold(once it has established it is difficult to erradicate..3-4 day balckout may work but if any BGA is left it will re-establish.

I had it for a long time in my 75..I added more plants and upped the CO2 the plants prospered and added a powerhead to remove deadspots.I also changed the bulb to ones the plants like better(3wpg) I removed by hand as much as I could find and dosed with maracyn.
it has since been gone(knock on wood)

I thought the nitrates were 10-1 to phosphates.
but potassium is a macro

I'm going to try cleaning as much as possible and crank up the ferts, co2 etc. before I try maracyn. I don't want to medicate if a don't have too.
Will my clown loaches be ok with maracyn if I need to go that route?

 

[Star_Rider]

I have never had any issues with maracyn..but I don't have loaches..I do have discus and bn's

erythromycin is just an antibiotic..some suggest you monitor the ammonia, nitrites etc..
I dosed my 75 with it several times. no issues.
( suspect I missed a dose somewhere during treatment) word of caution..the erythro will most likely begin killing the cyno within a few days of administering it..this is when most make the mistake of stopping the treatment. as it appears the bacteria has perished when in fact..it is still alive and well.

 

[rich311k]

Just remember the antibiotics could kill off your filter as well. If you decide to go that route be ready. If the antibiotics do not work you will have a resistant strain on your hands. I think a blackout is worth a try.

The macros kind of go like this plants need potassium to use nitrate, once they start on the nitrate they will need phosphate. After the black out try to develop a plan to keep CO2 levels up and to keep all macros available for the plants. Extra is far better than a deficiency of one.

 

[kooter]

phew. looks like I have a bit of a battle on my hands. yuck.
Anyways, just looked at the cost of Maracyn.....mg: to treat a 120G tank for 5 -6 days is expensive! I'm also looking at getting the hydro koralia 3 in addition to my other powerheads for more movement and circulation....since my tank has a cube footprint, it's hard to get some spots moving.

To add nitrates.......do I get the Flourish Nitrogen liquid ferts?