Drowning in an algae nightmare!

Thanks for the suggestions. As I said I am working on the water issue. I have many bypasses and this is what the water looks like from them.
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I am working on getting it tested, once I get the results I am hoping to easily use the unsoftened water in all my tanks, fingers crossed! Right now I am experimenting.... I run it through a DIY carbon filter and it clears up great, then I use it in my invert tank & so far the results are very impressive!
Just 9 days of growth in the carbon filtered well water.
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So I am going to try the blackout like Tom suggested, 1 question. I can only imagine turning the CO2 off is necessary but should I even add some sort of the surface agitation?
 
Well I did the blackout. Some of the algae on the glass died, the growth of the Rhizoclonium seemed at a slower rate than it would have been with the lights on but still very much there and alive & the tiny tuft of BBA I had exploded all over the blyxa. I did a 50% WC beforehand, covered the entire tank with garbage bags and then a heavy black blanket as well so I know no light got in. The BBA explosion I was kinda figuring for because the CO2 had to be turned off. The plants suffered a lot particularly the sunset hygro & green hygro but I figure that is just because they were so weak from beforehand.

I ordered some GH booster & amano shrimp. I returned to EI dosing schedule and am ready to see this algae disappear!
 
Thank you, I think I need it! :)

Just to show how overwhelming fast this stuff grows here are some photos. I spent almost 3 hours cleaning out the tank after the blackout, uprooting plants and literally brushing the algae out of them in a bucket. This is the growth in just 1 day! Growth is tremendous with just 1 day with ferts added (KNO3, K2SO4 & KH2PO4). The plant in the first photo (ludwigia narrowleaf maybe) was soaked in a strong Hydrogen Peroxide solution for 20 minutes too!!

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I have viewed your pictures a few times now. The 'tone' of your posts does not escape me; I sense you feel the same thoughts on just how diabolical algae is or can be as I do. Indeed, many times I feel like the strains/resistant-varieties/etc. which are able to survive the treatments just come back the stronger for my efforts.

I do know that algae, for me, became much more of a problem from the late 1990's to the present. Some may claim this is just my frustration and imagination, they may be correct; I have no real proof--just what my eyes tell me.

However, from your pictures, your efforts do seem to be bearing some fruit; some of the algae does seem to have been retarded-in-growth/damaged/slowed; this is a good thing. Usually, for me, algae will lighten, then turn white/pink and fade away as organisms consume it for a food source, apparently.

Please continue to follow up with your progress and results. Misery loves company in this continuing battle against the evil algaes--it is good to hear others accounts of their efforts. We learn from both our successes and failures.

Regards,
JS
 
TechAquaria said:
One milliliter of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water, everyday should immediately halt any more growth. If you up this dose to once every twelve hours, you should start seeing a decline in the algae already present with a couple or three days.

If you have sensitive plants and or occupants in the tanks, such as vals, ducks feet, anacharis or shrimp, etc. You may wish to remove them while treating. Or, half the first stated dose.

This has worked VERY well for me with algae which looks very similar to the one in your pictures.

Use caution ...

Regards,
TA
Click to expand...
I want to stress what TA wrote regarding the sensitive plants, more specifically any plants that would be sensitive to Flourish Excel. I've been dosing my tank for the last 4 days and have seen a dramatic decline regarding my algae as well as the health of my vals and anacharis. Last nights H2O2 dose appeared to be the tipping point, when I got home from work today my vals and anacharis were pretty much melted.

I plan on dosing H2O2 for at least 2 more nights and I'm sure my other plants will recover but just a little food for thought for everyone else there.

:duh:
 
beeZer350 said:
I want to stress what TA wrote regarding the sensitive plants, more specifically any plants that would be sensitive to Flourish Excel. I've been dosing my tank for the last 4 days and have seen a dramatic decline regarding my algae as well as the health of my vals and anacharis. Last nights H2O2 dose appeared to be the tipping point, when I got home from work today my vals and anacharis were pretty much melted. ...
:duh:
Click to expand...

Excellent point(s) you make. Indeed, I didn't quite put it together before reading your post, but you are EXACTLY RIGHT-ON! The same plants which are affected/effected by Excel are the ones which show signs of distress, damage or death from peroxide. Thanks; you have excellent insight, perception and good ability to analyze. It is so obvious now, now that you have pointed it out :clap:

Regards,
TA
 
Thank so much for your support!

This algae is indestructible! Regular H2O2 dosing & dips has little effect. CO2 levels are well above normal too. I remove the algae EVERYDAY and it overwhelms the tank everyday.

I just received my 18 Amano shrimp and they are very busy, only time will tell! I have added GH booster too.

Here are some photos of the amanos and the work they have ahead of them.

Algae not so bad on this plant....
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Algae strangling bases of ALL my plants
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Blyxa is dying big time because this stuff gets so stuck in the base of it!
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I've ceased all H2O2 dosing. My vals and anacharis are in a bad way. Any algae that wasn't decimated during treatment was removed maually.

I hope my damaged plants make a strong recovery. :/

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