Black beard algae?

Aquanero said:
Once you get your lighting squared away a Siamese algae eater (Crossocheilus siamensis) is the best I've ever seen at eating that stuff. The problem is they aren't that easy to find and people confuse them with Flying Fixes (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus).

If you're interested in the differance:http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/
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They are piglets for sure. Not only do my SAEs nibble algae all day long, they'll munch on any blanched veggies I drop in for the snails AND they go nuts over any flake food too.

To the OP, what are you using for a carbon source and ferts for you plants? You've got an imbalance of lighting, CO2 and ferts going on. You can clean it all you want or have critters munch on it, but it will just keep growing until you find the balance.

FWIW, there's no way I'd throw ~$80 of CFLs on that fixture when you can buy an Odyssea 48" twin tube 6500K T5HO for under $60 shipped to your door, lamps included.
 
FreshyFresh said:
FWIW, there's no way I'd throw ~$80 of CFLs on that fixture when you can buy an Odyssea 48" twin tube 6500K T5HO for under $60 shipped to your door, lamps included.
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I suspect you've never had an electric shock from an Odyssea light fixture, or seen sparks coming from the switches.

I've had both, I guess I should feel lucky I didn't experience any issues with Fire on these fixtures.

Even though the problems were with older model Halides or PC fixtures, it doesn't do much for one's confidence.

I have no problem using their bulbs, either Halide or PC, but wouldn't touch their fixtures with a long, thin, pointy and elecrically insulated stick.

For similar prices, there are better options around, if you shop about.
 
I'm pretty sure its a light problem. I am currently looking for a new T5 fixture to use. I don't have the money for a $100+ fixture though atm.

Sent from my PC36100 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
You may want to save up a bit then. Sometimes, you do get what you pay for. I have a Zoo Med Aquasun light that cost me $65 at 50% off, and I loved it up until I realized how much evaporation I'm dealing with since I can't use tops on my 55 now. BBA isn't going to instantly kill anything, so, tolerate it for a while, then change fixtures. I've got a couple things going that have improved my issues with BBA: more bacopa/peacock moss and less lighting because I've been running only one bulb at a time. The tank's still well lit, as far as being able to see everything, but there's less PAR hitting the water, so the BBA is growing slower.
 
dougall said:
I suspect you've never had an electric shock from an Odyssea light fixture, or seen sparks coming from the switches.
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Sorry to hear of your experiences, but comparing a metal halide fixture to a 48" T5HO is apples/oranges.
 
FreshyFresh said:
Sorry to hear of your experiences, but comparing a metal halide fixture to a 48" T5HO is apples/oranges.
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a PC fixture is not that different from a T5, When you consider how many light fixtures are available from companies who have had negligible issues with their products to a company who has had significant numbers of failures.

I'm quite sure that a lot of their quality practices will be applicable across their product line, the question should be if their manufacturing and QC processes have improved in the past decade, not that this is a different technology therefore it is impossible for them to burn down your house.
 
Doug I hear you. If you buy a $60 fixture, where "name brands" charge $120, you have to go into it knowing it *may* not be the same quality as the $120 one. Problem is, I deal with this stuff almost daily at work. I can show you numerous molten metal madness ballasts that have come out of late model, name brand industrial light fixtures. Not so much with the fluorescents, but many for HPS and MH. Scary stuff. Name brands use junk ballasts too.
 
I don't think anyone was actually *ignoring* your question. I think it's more a case of people not knowing what it is/have experience with it, and withholding comment. I have no idea what it is, and am not motivated enough to google to find out, because even when I find out, I still won't have anything meaningful to say about it.
 
Authmal, its okay, I was just trying to aggervate freshy fresh because he mentioned it but thanks for trying to answer it for me. You A OK in my book. No worries. I know metricide 14 is like a type of substitute for algae killer or co2 I believe. I was just really wanting to hear someones opinion on it that wasnt trying to sell it etc.
 
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