BGA question

kooter

kooter

AquaMan
Dec 14, 2003
701
13
18
Mission, BC
I've been reading on getting rid of this hideous newly aquired enemy of mine and it usually resorts to the meds (erythimine (sp)?)
Has anyone had any success in eliminating this so called algae without meds?
 
The BGA I've encountered are usually in deadspots in the tank where the flow is very weak, increasing the flow in those areas fixed the problem.

People have reported that BGA appears when the nitrate levels are low, test to see if nitrates are present at around 10ppm and dose if not. I ensure I have an excess of nutrients (nitrates, phosphates, potassium, trace minerals) and have not had any problems with BGA with the exceptions of deadspots.
 
thx. I will check nitrates and maybe change some of the power heads a bit for better flow.:y220e:
 
I've changed the flow around the tank and can assure you that there is lots of movement BUT the BGA seems to be taking over anyways. My nitrate is at 10ppm exactly. I've never had a problem until I introduced pressurized co2?!!
I had to get rid of some of my plants because of algae overtaking them, so from a planted tank side of things, there isn't much in there now. My co2 reading is approx. 30 (according to my drop checker).
Any suggestions?
I am scared to use the erythicyn(sp?) because of my clowns.

I should also mention that I have to clean the glass every single day now as well, the green algae comes off really easy but coats the glass within an 8hr. period.

My lighting is 280Watts per gallon and on 10hrs./day
 
How long as the tank been running? I had cyano outbreaks in all my tanks when they were relatively new (between 3 and 6 months). I tried blackouts and EM dosing, and they helped but never really got rid of it all the way. Eventually after a few months it just went away on its own. I chalked it up to the long cycle of getting the entire system established and balanced.
 
The tank has been established for almost 2 yrs. now.
Never had any problems besides algae. I due 40-50% water changes every couple weeks. I've slacked off this summer due to time constraints and didn't have a chance to do a water change in about 6 weeks, so lots of "crud".
Like I said, I haven't noticed any algae problems until I started dosing co2, which is completely opposite of what I thought would happen.
 
"I haven't noticed any algae problems until I started dosing co2, which is completely opposite of what I thought would happen."


I should of said that I haven't noticed any new algae problems until co2 introduction. I've combated green water and BBA before, but I DON'T like how fast BGA develops and covers everything!!:rant2:
 
Add more nitrates and potassium. The potassium helps the plants use the nitrates. The CO@ increased the plants need for nutrients thus the N bottoming out. Dont trust your test kit for nitrate unless you calibrated it. Hobby grade kits are often wrong at low levels. BGA is caused by low nitrates and or spots with low flow that dont get the nitrate rich water. Clean up as much as you can, do a large water change. Do 3 - 4 day blackout out. Do another large water change. Establish a good and regualr fert plan. You should be good.
 
rich311k said:
Add more nitrates and potassium. The potassium helps the plants use the nitrates. The CO@ increased the plants need for nutrients thus the N bottoming out. Dont trust your test kit for nitrate unless you calibrated it. Hobby grade kits are often wrong at low levels. BGA is caused by low nitrates and or spots with low flow that dont get the nitrate rich water. Clean up as much as you can, do a large water change. Do 3 - 4 day blackout out. Do another large water change. Establish a good and regualr fert plan. You should be good.
Click to expand...

Excellent......thanks Rich! I will keep you updated
 
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
 
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