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#1
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SeaChem Flourish Overdose Blues
I think I should get paid for the tank I keep, or at least have it declared
a "national resource of significant scientific interest" . Why? Because I grow every kind of algae known to aquarists in this tank of mine in some quantity. All is good, however. We are only talking a few strands/clumps/spots here and there. Last Saturday, however, I blew it. I'm not very good at this hobby. I only started a few months ago. Luckily, however, I'm eager and willing to learn. And, by-and-large, there is a lot of good information on the net that is helpful to newbies like me. But it gets quite confusing at times. One of the most talked about strategies of controlling algae is that which promotes the PMDD routine. It made sense to me, and I decided to start mimicking the experts. Over a period of a week, I eliminated excess phosphates (dosed with Alum), and raised NO3 and K levels to 5-10 ppm and 10-20 ppm respectively. Then I read that, at these macro nutrient levels, dosing 2-3 times the recommended Flourish amount should be safe (and desired). So last Saturday, after a 25% water change, I dosed the NO3, K, and one drop of Sodium Phosphate (Fleet Enema) in the change water, together with a whopping 5 mL of Flourish (the entire weekly recommended dose). Within hours, I had green beard algae spreading like fire in a dry forest. I had other kinds of algae growing too, but green beard algae was dominant. It has been slowly overtaking my tank ever since. The cleanup crew of 5 Otos and 3 SAE cannot keep up (also also have 1 glass shrimp and 3 platys, all of which are algae eaters). So was it the iron, or was it the phosphate? I have read several reports on the internet of people experiencing similar blooms of green beard algae due to an overdose of iron (as in Flourish)! Any similar experiences? |
#2
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SeaChem Flourish Overdose Blues
"Nemo" wrote in message
... I think I should get paid for the tank I keep, or at least have it declared a "national resource of significant scientific interest" . Why? Because I grow every kind of algae known to aquarists in this tank of mine in some quantity. All is good, however. We are only talking a few strands/clumps/spots here and there. Last Saturday, however, I blew it. I'm not very good at this hobby. I only started a few months ago. Luckily, however, I'm eager and willing to learn. And, by-and-large, there is a lot of good information on the net that is helpful to newbies like me. But it gets quite confusing at times. One of the most talked about strategies of controlling algae is that which promotes the PMDD routine. It made sense to me, and I decided to start mimicking the experts. Over a period of a week, I eliminated excess phosphates (dosed with Alum), and raised NO3 and K levels to 5-10 ppm and 10-20 ppm respectively. Then I read that, at these macro nutrient levels, dosing 2-3 times the recommended Flourish amount should be safe (and desired). So last Saturday, after a 25% water change, I dosed the NO3, K, and one drop of Sodium Phosphate (Fleet Enema) in the change water, together with a whopping 5 mL of Flourish (the entire weekly recommended dose). Within hours, I had green beard algae spreading like fire in a dry forest. I had other kinds of algae growing too, but green beard algae was dominant. It has been slowly overtaking my tank ever since. The cleanup crew of 5 Otos and 3 SAE cannot keep up (also also have 1 glass shrimp and 3 platys, all of which are algae eaters). So was it the iron, or was it the phosphate? I have read several reports on the internet of people experiencing similar blooms of green beard algae due to an overdose of iron (as in Flourish)! Any similar experiences? My BBA outbreak came from lack of CO2, lack of PMDD, and a pH crash of sorts... NetMax, TomBarr, Bill Kirkpatrick, and several others, have and will be on my "MUST READ" list, especially when it comes to chemicals and additives and such... I've learned that it benefits us ALL for one to ask a broad based question about situations, then more people can chime in and help. Also, if you get the chance, ask someone to help you offline if you feel more inclined to share 'outside' the group. Needless to say, we're mostly 'all' learning as we go... some are just further than others... even the experts have problems.... they just choose not to express it all here... Recently, I've had to take some drastic measures on my own 29g tank that had been a guppy nursery of sorts... CO2 ran out, plants died, fish got sick, add a bunch of other little problems and I had a Black Brush algae/ Red Brush out break... and it took some 'elbow grease' and hard work, but ended up going to the beginnings of my brain, and realizing, KISS, Keep it simple stupid, and the basics will lead you back to where you want/should be... patience grasshoppa... patience is the key to success.... learning is the tool to turn the key to happiness... Good luck -- RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike streetfighter!!! ========================== 2003 TRX450ES 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale) 1987 TRX250R (sold) 1987 CBR600 Hurricane (sold) 1987 VFR700 Interceptor (sold) 1995 TRX300ex (sold) 2000 CBR600F4 silver/red (sold) *sniff*sniff* '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted.... ========================== ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø "By US Code Title 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B), a computer/modem/printer meets the definition of a telephone fax machine. By Sec.227(b)(1)(C), it is unlawful to send any unsolicited advertisement to such equipment. By Sec.227(b)(3)(C), a violation of the aforementioned Section is punishable by action to recover actual monetary loss, or $500, whichever is greater, for each violation." If you do send me unsolicited e-mail I will proof-read it at a rate of $100 per hour (4 hour minimum). |
#3
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SeaChem Flourish Overdose Blues
Nemo wrote:
One of the most talked about strategies of controlling algae is that which promotes the PMDD routine. It made sense to me, and I decided to start mimicking the experts. Over a period of a week, I eliminated excess phosphates (dosed with Alum), and raised NO3 and K levels to 5-10 ppm and 10-20 ppm respectively. Then I read that, at these macro nutrient levels, dosing 2-3 times the recommended Flourish amount should be safe (and desired). So last Saturday, after a 25% water change, I dosed the NO3, K, and one drop of Sodium Phosphate (Fleet Enema) in the change water, together with a whopping 5 mL of Flourish (the entire weekly recommended dose). Within hours, I had green beard algae spreading like fire in a dry forest. I had other kinds of algae growing too, but green beard algae was dominant. It has been slowly overtaking my tank ever since. The cleanup crew of 5 Otos and 3 SAE cannot keep up (also also have 1 glass shrimp and 3 platys, all of which are algae eaters). First of all, it's not clear why you are trying to eliminate Phosphate by dosing Alum, then dosing Phosphate. Second, you did not mention CO2. If you are NOT injecting CO2, then you have dumped a massive overabundance of nutrients (NPK and traces) into your tank. The recommendations you were reading were aimed at people with high light (3WPG+) and injected CO2. Unfortunately, the resources available online do not always distinguish between, "This strategy works for a high-light, CO2 injected tank" vs "This strategy works for a non-CO2 injected tank" To educuate yourself, search Google and Google Groups on the following terms: Barr Estimative Index Barr CO2 KNO3 Barr Low Light This is complicated stuff. But you are not far from understanding it all. |
#4
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SeaChem Flourish Overdose Blues
"Dave Millman" wrote in message
... Hi Dave, thanks for your reply First of all, it's not clear why you are trying to eliminate Phosphate by dosing Alum, then dosing Phosphate. When I started the routine, I have zero NO3 and PO4 readings off the chart. I dosed alum to bring the PO4 to zero. I dose alum now because it is non-detactable by the Hagen test kit. The plants need some PO4 to grow; I only dose a drop. Second, you did not mention CO2. If you are NOT injecting CO2, then you have dumped a massive overabundance of nutrients (NPK and traces) into your tank. The recommendations you were reading were aimed at people with high light (3WPG+) and injected CO2. I dose CO2 using a DIY setup injected right into the intake of an Eheim 2213 cansiter with a spray bar. My CO2 levels are estimated at 20-30 ppm using the available CO2-pH-kH charts (kH = 3-4, pH = 6.6-6.8). My light level is 3.7 WPG using four 6500K CF bulbs mounted on a DIY canopy (no reflector other than white paint). [ ... ] To educuate yourself, search Google and Google Groups on the following terms: Barr Estimative Index Barr CO2 KNO3 Barr Low Light I have read many articles for Tom Barr on this NG and elsewhere on the net. There are other excellent contributers as well. This is why I hang around this place . Thanks for the references though. |
#5
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SeaChem Flourish Overdose Blues
"RedForeman ©®" wrote in message
... [ ... ] NetMax, TomBarr, Bill Kirkpatrick, and several others, have and will be on my "MUST READ" list, especially when it comes to chemicals and additives and such... One can't miss the stars in the dark sky of the night . [ ... ] but ended up going to the beginnings of my brain, and realizing, KISS, Keep it simple stupid, and the basics will lead you back to where you want/should be... patience grasshoppa... patience is the key to success.... learning is the tool to turn the key to happiness... Good luck Thanks! |
#6
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SeaChem Flourish Overdose Blues
"Dave Millman" wrote in message
... Hi Dave, thanks for your reply First of all, it's not clear why you are trying to eliminate Phosphate by dosing Alum, then dosing Phosphate. When I started the routine, I have zero NO3 and PO4 readings off the chart. I dosed alum to bring the PO4 to zero. I dose alum now because it is non-detactable by the Hagen test kit. The plants need some PO4 to grow; I only dose a drop. Second, you did not mention CO2. If you are NOT injecting CO2, then you have dumped a massive overabundance of nutrients (NPK and traces) into your tank. The recommendations you were reading were aimed at people with high light (3WPG+) and injected CO2. I dose CO2 using a DIY setup injected right into the intake of an Eheim 2213 cansiter with a spray bar. My CO2 levels are estimated at 20-30 ppm using the available CO2-pH-kH charts (kH = 3-4, pH = 6.6-6.8). My light level is 3.7 WPG using four 6500K CF bulbs mounted on a DIY canopy (no reflector other than white paint). [ ... ] To educuate yourself, search Google and Google Groups on the following terms: Barr Estimative Index Barr CO2 KNO3 Barr Low Light I have read many articles for Tom Barr on this NG and elsewhere on the net. There are other excellent contributers as well. This is why I hang around this place . Thanks for the references though. |
#7
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SeaChem Flourish Overdose Blues
"RedForeman ©®" wrote in message
... [ ... ] NetMax, TomBarr, Bill Kirkpatrick, and several others, have and will be on my "MUST READ" list, especially when it comes to chemicals and additives and such... One can't miss the stars in the dark sky of the night . [ ... ] but ended up going to the beginnings of my brain, and realizing, KISS, Keep it simple stupid, and the basics will lead you back to where you want/should be... patience grasshoppa... patience is the key to success.... learning is the tool to turn the key to happiness... Good luck Thanks! |
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