thanks all for the addt'l advice--didn't know that about the copper.
ray--can the bleach solution be used on the plants themselves?

jack--i'm also on wire racks over pyrex baking dishes of water. a shot
of bleach in the water in the dishes keeps the algae down (or at least
turns it colorless. of course, i don't know what it would do to
rubber....)

--j_a

(and the Br Lancer has not fallen over dead yet--in fact, it may be my
imagination but i think it's looking slightly better.)