cladophora algae removal

angyles

angyles

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Nov 4, 2002
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I'm about to downsize my 29G white cloud tank, to a 10G betta tank. Problem is, about a year ago it got taken over with cladophora. at this point, its on all surfaces from gravel to plants. I go in weekly and remove tufts by hand and I'm totally sick of it.

I would like to use some of these plants in the 10. Some of my anubias have been so ravaged by this stuff that their leaves feel like scouring pads even after I've removed the massive tufts. it's as if it's eaten at them. it's turned my lovely tank into a stinky swamp.

anyway, is there a way to clean up some of my plants to ENSURE that they don't re-introduce this infestation to the 10G? I would hate to soss everything, but I am willing to so I don't have to deal with it anymore.

I'm thinking if I remove all the foliage from the crypts and start over with jsut the roots, they should be fine. Bu I'm not 100% sure. Will soaking in excel help at all?? this stuff seems pretty impervious to everything I've tried.
 
Never had the stuff myself (lays offering on the altar of Tiamat) so have no personal advice to tender. but this site seems to have some helpful ideas. There are several--Ecxell in various dosages, limited light but not blackout, others--and some work for some people and not others, so try them all. Or at least if there is one particular plant you want to save.

personally I agree with prober that your best bet is to toss and start from scratch. A 10g doesn't need a lot , you could probably stock it with a properly chosen lot from the AC Marketplace for $10 or so, and not have to live in dread watching every day for a comeback of the nasty.

oh, they do mention at that place linked above that one of the means of transmission is using equipment from the infected tank on another. Might want to toss and replace any nets at least; most other equipment and decor can probably be boiled or bleached or otherwise purified. good luck. :)
 
yeah I think I will start from scratch with new plants. not worth the headache. it'll just be sparse for a bit I guess. it all started from a plant I added last year from a reputable store. I think there must have been 1 or 2 tiny little fibers embedded in the rock wool. very frustrating. and how could you ever know? you certainly can't see it and it was a couple months before it really became obvious there was a problem. ohhhh well
 
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