Blue Green Algae

[plantbrain]

It's not some exact thing, it's all about giving the plants a good place to grow.

That's the key. Nothing else. Killing the algae will not do anyone any good till they grow the plants well.

This is one of the biggest humps to get folks over.

To grow plants well:
Add loads of CO2.
No crying about wimpy sensitive fish. They do fine if you add nutrients, or light or CO2. If you add way too much well.....but within a relatively good size range, the fish, even wimpy fish are quite happy.
Add enough KNO3.
You don't have to mix it all together in a single mix of PMDD. That's not the best ratio for plants IMO. It is better than traces alone but you'll need add 1/2 teaspoon of KNO3 at least 2x a week for a 75gal.

Maybe later, more, 3x a week or so.
K2SO4 add 1 teaspoon a week.
Add traces, 15-20mls 2x a week.
Add some sopurce of PO4 2x a week.

Measure your KH, see what pH will give you 20-30ppm.
Keep both GH/KH 3 or higher.

That's about it.
Nothing the matter with the substrate and certainly not after 5 months.

You can do just SOME of the things I suggest, BUT, instead of 100% results, you'll only get 80-90% if you are missing an item, or 70-80% if you are missing two etc........every bit helps and it's not that difficult or impossible to do.
You will need to measure KH and pH beyond that I don't tell folks to test much, but CO2 is rather important.
The rest is relatively easy.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[rsa1]

Update

OK, for anybody who's interested, I followed Tom's sugestions exactly, and it worked, no more BGA. Only one problem due to my own stupidity. I accidently unplugged the heater, water tep went down to 55 deg, and my Apistos died! UGH!!! Not only that, but I had a significant amount of Crypt melt. But, as I said, no more BGA.

Tom, one more question. How do you deal with a BGA problem in a low tech tank (low light, no CO2, not adding any fertilizer)?
Thanks!

 

[plantbrain]

Same way.
Feed fish more instead of KNO3.
Will do a water change and a pruning/removing any plant parts that might collect BGA.
I've never had any BGA even in a low techer personally but on a client's tank did the same thing and beat it back. It never came back.
Hornwort should help or lots of plants generally, like Egeria, water sprite, hairgrass etc.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Heady]

I have a Tanganyika (sp?) tank with 2 neo. ocellatus and 2 guppies. No plants except Java Moss, which is the only plant I know of that can survive pH 8.2 and high hardness. It is a 20g tank with a 15W bulb. I have a BGA infestation that keeps coming back.

Any suggestions for plants that would do OK in these conditions? I may be able to increase the lighting... if I can find a light strip that will fit on the hood.

I'm getting really tired of pulling blue slime off of everything when doing water changes. I think the Java Moss is no longer salvageable.

 

[plantbrain]

Java fern should do okay, floating water sprite will do well.

I'd just remove the moss and place in a bucket(in the dark) for a while and turn the lights off for 3-4 days. Aerate the tank a bit more and see if this helps the moss some when you return it bnack to the tank. Water change before/while you clean out the BGA etc.
Wait a few days, then return the moss to the tank after the blackout. Consider adding some water sprite. It will lower the light, but needs no CO2 or extra light since it floats and it's a fast grower. That will help against the algae some.

Regards,
Tom Barr