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Eradicating BBA
"Chris_S" wrote in message
... against the wall wasting my time. If you have weeds in your lawn, do you think you can get rid of them by controlling how much grass fertilizer you put on? No, you spray them and kill them. I'm pretty sure spraying is not the proper way to take care of weeds. I believe it's saturating your lawn with desired grass by properly feeding it, etc., so that weeds don't have any space to grow. Very similar principle to planted tanks regarding plants/algae. When your fish get sick do you give them medicine? No. The proper way is to correct the stressful conditions in your aquarium. If they weren't stressful in the first place, your fish wouldn't get sick. Again, similarity to plants/algae. If they get parasites do you kill them with chemicals? Parasites shouldn't be there in the first place. They can't be compared to algae because algae is a natural part of any aquarium ecosystem. What's the difference? The difference is taking the newbie approach or taking the more experienced approch. __ Alex pcalex (at) hotpop.com |
Eradicating BBA
On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 13:52:05 GMT, "Chris_S" wrote:
Perhaps I have had success has to do with my limited plant selection. My lights are under 2 wpg and I finally bought only plants that accept that condition. If those not getting a fix are using high light and/or co2 maybe that has something to do with the failures. Hey, count yourself lucky. There are around 200 species of fresh water Red Algae so you may not have the same stuff others have. If you have any doubt about how nasty and tenacious this stuff can be, just do a search for BBA ALGAE or look at the following link: http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/bleach.html Chris. I was not lucky for 3 or 4 months. I did a lot of reading and experimenting. I am grateful that my tank survived. I may not be able to pin down the exact cure, but I do not I got rid of a nasty problem. I am just doing my best to share. I don't need to read another article to know that BBA is hard to get rid of. I lived the problem long enough. |
Eradicating BBA
On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 13:52:05 GMT, "Chris_S" wrote:
Perhaps I have had success has to do with my limited plant selection. My lights are under 2 wpg and I finally bought only plants that accept that condition. If those not getting a fix are using high light and/or co2 maybe that has something to do with the failures. Hey, count yourself lucky. There are around 200 species of fresh water Red Algae so you may not have the same stuff others have. If you have any doubt about how nasty and tenacious this stuff can be, just do a search for BBA ALGAE or look at the following link: http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/bleach.html Chris. I was not lucky for 3 or 4 months. I did a lot of reading and experimenting. I am grateful that my tank survived. I may not be able to pin down the exact cure, but I do not I got rid of a nasty problem. I am just doing my best to share. I don't need to read another article to know that BBA is hard to get rid of. I lived the problem long enough. |
Eradicating BBA
On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 13:52:05 GMT, "Chris_S" wrote:
Perhaps I have had success has to do with my limited plant selection. My lights are under 2 wpg and I finally bought only plants that accept that condition. If those not getting a fix are using high light and/or co2 maybe that has something to do with the failures. Hey, count yourself lucky. There are around 200 species of fresh water Red Algae so you may not have the same stuff others have. If you have any doubt about how nasty and tenacious this stuff can be, just do a search for BBA ALGAE or look at the following link: http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/bleach.html Chris. I was not lucky for 3 or 4 months. I did a lot of reading and experimenting. I am grateful that my tank survived. I may not be able to pin down the exact cure, but I do not I got rid of a nasty problem. I am just doing my best to share. I don't need to read another article to know that BBA is hard to get rid of. I lived the problem long enough. |
Eradicating BBA
"RedForeman ©®" wrote in message ... "RedForeman ©®" wrote in message Good luck, and take pics, document and keep us posted... your endeavors will save someone from giving up the hobby in years or days to come... and therein my friend is the key. Many people have dumped this hobby because of serious algae problems. You can literally feel the frustration in Chris's posts and from reading his responses he has been in the hobby for years. Man since this thread started I've found myself examining every tank very closely. I have noticed some tufts on my driftwood and one rock in my big planted tank. They hit the bleach today. Rick Yeah, my 29g that Ive been battling now for 3 months, may just get the big nuke... I've been leaning away from it... (lazy, too much work, etc) and I really was hoping someone would chime in with more info, but it seems as though Chris has done his homework and educated us all... When I went looking for the info, it wasnt' there, or as much as it is now... which is nice... I'm like you, I'll be looking a bit more tonite... -- RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike streetfighter!!! it's been an interesting thread with lots of good information. If I was just noticing the start of an outbreak then I would manually trim off the affected leaves, check water parameters, make sure I was getting lots of CO2 saturation and try to deal with it without the big nuke but once it gets rampant in the tank then why fool around. Get rid of it and start over. In my case I always have lots of filters running and tanks with seasoned gravel so I don't have to worry about cycling the tank all over again. Chris, looking back over your posts you gave water conditions with a GH of 6 degrees and CO2 at 25 PPM . I assume if you measured GH that you measured KH also? Rick |
Eradicating BBA
But judging from your other posts in this thread, you're not really
interested in getting specific help. You're just seeking approval for your bleaching method. I highly doubt that your tank has some algae species that's non-existent in almost every other algae-free tank. There is no quick cure for algae, IMO. __ Alex R I was thinking the same thing, until I did a simple search on 'red algae' and after several pages of reading, it became clean, Neil Frank determined that there wasn't a limit, or overabundance of anything, except this red algae.. It won't starve, because it creates it's own food, you can't kill it, simply... I know, I'm back tracking a bit... but only because I did a bit MORE research and learned that even good ideas are sometimes aimed at the wrong target... Nutrients won't kill/starve/rid yourself of red, RED algae.. I'm not trying to sway your thoughts, here's what I read. it's all about the Rhodophyta (red algae) http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/brush-algae.html http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/red-algae.html http://www.netpets.com/fish/referenc...obacteria.html I have seen that black brush algae, is in fact red algae.... In older stages of it, it does have a red hue to it, and when old, it becomes grayish, white and then becomes nearly impossible to pull off plants, and devices... Hey, aren't we all learning a bit from this?? I know I am.... I learned that I'm going to buy a couple gallons of bleach this weekend.... ^?^ -- 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). |
Eradicating BBA
But judging from your other posts in this thread, you're not really
interested in getting specific help. You're just seeking approval for your bleaching method. I highly doubt that your tank has some algae species that's non-existent in almost every other algae-free tank. There is no quick cure for algae, IMO. __ Alex R I was thinking the same thing, until I did a simple search on 'red algae' and after several pages of reading, it became clean, Neil Frank determined that there wasn't a limit, or overabundance of anything, except this red algae.. It won't starve, because it creates it's own food, you can't kill it, simply... I know, I'm back tracking a bit... but only because I did a bit MORE research and learned that even good ideas are sometimes aimed at the wrong target... Nutrients won't kill/starve/rid yourself of red, RED algae.. I'm not trying to sway your thoughts, here's what I read. it's all about the Rhodophyta (red algae) http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/brush-algae.html http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/red-algae.html http://www.netpets.com/fish/referenc...obacteria.html I have seen that black brush algae, is in fact red algae.... In older stages of it, it does have a red hue to it, and when old, it becomes grayish, white and then becomes nearly impossible to pull off plants, and devices... Hey, aren't we all learning a bit from this?? I know I am.... I learned that I'm going to buy a couple gallons of bleach this weekend.... ^?^ -- 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). |
Eradicating BBA
No Red NOooooooooo....Don't do it, come back to the light side ;) Don't let
these heathens suck you down. LOL :) -- **So long, and thanks for all the fish!** "RedForeman ©®" wrote in message ... But judging from your other posts in this thread, you're not really interested in getting specific help. You're just seeking approval for your bleaching method. I highly doubt that your tank has some algae species that's non-existent in almost every other algae-free tank. There is no quick cure for algae, IMO. __ Alex R I was thinking the same thing, until I did a simple search on 'red algae' and after several pages of reading, it became clean, Neil Frank determined that there wasn't a limit, or overabundance of anything, except this red algae.. It won't starve, because it creates it's own food, you can't kill it, simply... I know, I'm back tracking a bit... but only because I did a bit MORE research and learned that even good ideas are sometimes aimed at the wrong target... Nutrients won't kill/starve/rid yourself of red, RED algae.. I'm not trying to sway your thoughts, here's what I read. it's all about the Rhodophyta (red algae) http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/brush-algae.html http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/red-algae.html http://www.netpets.com/fish/referenc...obacteria.html I have seen that black brush algae, is in fact red algae.... In older stages of it, it does have a red hue to it, and when old, it becomes grayish, white and then becomes nearly impossible to pull off plants, and devices... Hey, aren't we all learning a bit from this?? I know I am.... I learned that I'm going to buy a couple gallons of bleach this weekend.... ^?^ -- 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). |
Eradicating BBA
No Red NOooooooooo....Don't do it, come back to the light side ;) Don't let
these heathens suck you down. LOL :) -- **So long, and thanks for all the fish!** "RedForeman ©®" wrote in message ... But judging from your other posts in this thread, you're not really interested in getting specific help. You're just seeking approval for your bleaching method. I highly doubt that your tank has some algae species that's non-existent in almost every other algae-free tank. There is no quick cure for algae, IMO. __ Alex R I was thinking the same thing, until I did a simple search on 'red algae' and after several pages of reading, it became clean, Neil Frank determined that there wasn't a limit, or overabundance of anything, except this red algae.. It won't starve, because it creates it's own food, you can't kill it, simply... I know, I'm back tracking a bit... but only because I did a bit MORE research and learned that even good ideas are sometimes aimed at the wrong target... Nutrients won't kill/starve/rid yourself of red, RED algae.. I'm not trying to sway your thoughts, here's what I read. it's all about the Rhodophyta (red algae) http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/brush-algae.html http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/red-algae.html http://www.netpets.com/fish/referenc...obacteria.html I have seen that black brush algae, is in fact red algae.... In older stages of it, it does have a red hue to it, and when old, it becomes grayish, white and then becomes nearly impossible to pull off plants, and devices... Hey, aren't we all learning a bit from this?? I know I am.... I learned that I'm going to buy a couple gallons of bleach this weekend.... ^?^ -- 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). |
Eradicating BBA
No Red NOooooooooo....Don't do it, come back to the light side ;)
Don't let these heathens suck you down. LOL :) HA-HA!!! I'm not particularly looking forward to it, I'm trying the CO2, ferts idea for a while first... but after some reading... eeehh??? -- 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). |
Eradicating BBA
This has been quite a lively discussion. I had no idea when I posted my
question that I was opening pandora's box. Reading some of the other last posts above is fascinating. I can't help but think about the political and social persuasions behind some of these posts. I really never gave it any thought before that asking a question about aquariums had social aspects to it, but I see now that the response of a particular person to such a question is entirely prejudiced by their own envrionmental point of view. I am certainly in the camp that believes technology is a good thing and to be used to the fullest extent. Others are obviously more in the eco-nature group that don't like chemicals. I wonder if they go to doctors or refuse all medicine. In any event, I like living in the modern technology based society and have no desire to follow the teachings of the Kaczynski manifesto, or to return to those fun filled times of the middle ages where they probably had little time for aquariums. But I digress... I assume if you measured GH that you measured KH also? I lost my KH test kit sometime ago. The results of GH/FH were never very interesting. My water is always mild here. Nothing special hard or soft wise. Tap water is always 7.0 ph here. I don't use the test kits much anymore. I have a bunch of them, but I can tell what they will say just by looking at the tank. Chris. |
Eradicating BBA
"Chris_S" wrote in message ... This has been quite a lively discussion. I had no idea when I posted my question that I was opening pandora's box. Reading some of the other last posts above is fascinating. I can't help but think about the political and social persuasions behind some of these posts. I really never gave it any thought before that asking a question about aquariums had social aspects to it, but I see now that the response of a particular person to such a question is entirely prejudiced by their own envrionmental point of view. I am certainly in the camp that believes technology is a good thing and to be used to the fullest extent. Others are obviously more in the eco-nature group that don't like chemicals. I wonder if they go to doctors or refuse all medicine. In any event, I like living in the modern technology based society and have no desire to follow the teachings of the Kaczynski manifesto, or to return to those fun filled times of the middle ages where they probably had little time for aquariums. But I digress... I assume if you measured GH that you measured KH also? I lost my KH test kit sometime ago. The results of GH/FH were never very interesting. My water is always mild here. Nothing special hard or soft wise. Tap water is always 7.0 ph here. I don't use the test kits much anymore. I have a bunch of them, but I can tell what they will say just by looking at the tank. Hey , "looking at the tank" its not very cientific or technological!!! I guess also you use your "intuition" or inner you....JMHO Chris. |
Eradicating BBA
"Chris_S" wrote in message ... This has been quite a lively discussion. I had no idea when I posted my question that I was opening pandora's box. Reading some of the other last posts above is fascinating. I can't help but think about the political and social persuasions behind some of these posts. I really never gave it any thought before that asking a question about aquariums had social aspects to it, but I see now that the response of a particular person to such a question is entirely prejudiced by their own envrionmental point of view. I am certainly in the camp that believes technology is a good thing and to be used to the fullest extent. Others are obviously more in the eco-nature group that don't like chemicals. I wonder if they go to doctors or refuse all medicine. In any event, I like living in the modern technology based society and have no desire to follow the teachings of the Kaczynski manifesto, or to return to those fun filled times of the middle ages where they probably had little time for aquariums. But I digress... I assume if you measured GH that you measured KH also? I lost my KH test kit sometime ago. The results of GH/FH were never very interesting. My water is always mild here. Nothing special hard or soft wise. Tap water is always 7.0 ph here. I don't use the test kits much anymore. I have a bunch of them, but I can tell what they will say just by looking at the tank. Hey , "looking at the tank" its not very cientific or technological!!! I guess also you use your "intuition" or inner you....JMHO Chris. |
Eradicating BBA
"Chris_S" wrote in message ... This has been quite a lively discussion. I had no idea when I posted my question that I was opening pandora's box. Reading some of the other last posts above is fascinating. I can't help but think about the political and social persuasions behind some of these posts. I really never gave it any thought before that asking a question about aquariums had social aspects to it, but I see now that the response of a particular person to such a question is entirely prejudiced by their own envrionmental point of view. I am certainly in the camp that believes technology is a good thing and to be used to the fullest extent. Others are obviously more in the eco-nature group that don't like chemicals. I wonder if they go to doctors or refuse all medicine. In any event, I like living in the modern technology based society and have no desire to follow the teachings of the Kaczynski manifesto, or to return to those fun filled times of the middle ages where they probably had little time for aquariums. But I digress... I assume if you measured GH that you measured KH also? I lost my KH test kit sometime ago. The results of GH/FH were never very interesting. My water is always mild here. Nothing special hard or soft wise. Tap water is always 7.0 ph here. I don't use the test kits much anymore. I have a bunch of them, but I can tell what they will say just by looking at the tank. Chris. so how did you determine that your CO2 level is 25 PPM? Are you going by your PH levels and what your KH used to be. I think you posted that your GH was 6 degrees. With a PH of 6.8 and at about 25 ppm CO2 you would or should have a KH around 5.6 d or 100 PPM. Your KH should be about 70% (if I remember correctly) of your GH. I'm not sure if having your GH and KH about the same would have any effect or not. Rick Rick |
Eradicating BBA
This has been quite a lively discussion. I had no
idea when I posted my question that I was Yours was definitely post of the month! I can't help but think about the political and social persuasions behind some of these posts. This is a hobby and many like to practice it in different ways. I wouldn't say somebody else's method is better or worse if it achieves the same result. I however, like you Chris, prefer the quicker and less painful way to my goal. (If I were a female going to give a child birth I wouldn't be a hero but I would ask for strong pain killers). Just one question. I know you did try SAE's at one point and they didn't help. Do you still have them in that affected tank? When I was in a similar situation I noticed SAE's only being interested in the new algae growth. The old, long stuff, they would not touch. Some leaves that had a lot of it were cut. Some plants were bleached. It's been well over a year and no BBA (and no other algae) problem. I would not worry about every little spore of algae. If you are willing to have some SAE's you should be okay. -- Regards, Marvin Hlavac Toronto, Canada |
Eradicating BBA
Is there a website that elaborates on the Tom Barr method of dosing?
http://www.dlink.org/aqua/e_index.html |
Eradicating BBA
"Aqua" wrote in message om... Is there a website that elaborates on the Tom Barr method of dosing? http://www.dlink.org/aqua/e_index.html Tom is a regular contributor to the Aquatic Plants list which you can join at http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listin...quatic-plants. This is an excellent site for just about everything to do with plants and even fish. Members of the group are very helpful and include several noted plant experts. Join the list and post a message giving complete details of your tank, water, plant load, etc and ask for advice on Tom Barr dosing. I'm sure you will find that Tom will come back with a dosing schedule for you. Basically Tom's method or at least the one he provided me was dry dosing ferts a couple of times a week and doing weekly 50% water changes which resets the tank and does not allow the ferts to build up to dangerous levels. I did it since November and it did improve the overall condition of my plants. I have just recently gone back to dosing PMDD and biweekly water changes to see what if any difference it will make. Rick |
Eradicating BBA
Is there a website that elaborates on the Tom Barr method of dosing?
http://www.dlink.org/aqua/e_index.html |
Eradicating BBA
"Aqua" wrote in message om... Is there a website that elaborates on the Tom Barr method of dosing? http://www.dlink.org/aqua/e_index.html Tom is a regular contributor to the Aquatic Plants list which you can join at http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listin...quatic-plants. This is an excellent site for just about everything to do with plants and even fish. Members of the group are very helpful and include several noted plant experts. Join the list and post a message giving complete details of your tank, water, plant load, etc and ask for advice on Tom Barr dosing. I'm sure you will find that Tom will come back with a dosing schedule for you. Basically Tom's method or at least the one he provided me was dry dosing ferts a couple of times a week and doing weekly 50% water changes which resets the tank and does not allow the ferts to build up to dangerous levels. I did it since November and it did improve the overall condition of my plants. I have just recently gone back to dosing PMDD and biweekly water changes to see what if any difference it will make. Rick |
Eradicating BBA
"Chris_S" wrote in message ... I guess I no longer believe that there are any water conditions under which BBA will not survive. Sure you can make it grow faster or slower, but the point is it keeps growing once it is in your tank. That is not true with Green algae. That you can control and essentially make it disappear. I've never had any significant problem with Green algae. Once you have it in your tank, well I guess you could say it's probably like having Herpes. You just have to learn how to live with it. I am fed up living with it and I want it out. Regards, Chris. You are right in one regard, there are not really any water conditions where BBA won't grow. There are conditions where plants grow well enough that BBA essentially disappears. Spores are everywhere, no matter what you do sooner or later everything will find its way into your tank. If you have good balanced conditions you don't have problems. Sadly balanced conditions in a tiny artificial ecosystem are hard to come by. You need balanced conditions where the plants grow well and they will not be over powered by algae. You can spend bucks testing or use Tom's method of dosing ferts and water changes. A lot of Tom's ideas are based on solid experimental work and research. It is fascinating to spend part of an afternoon listening to him talk about the science and practical experience behind his ideas with experienced planted aquarium types. I have to chuckle watching guys with kids (and tanks) older than Tom listen and agree with his methods. It isn't the only way, but it works. I personally have had really bad experience with chemicals. Actually I had my best luck using pristine water out of the big springs along the Snake River. Never had any kind of problems, but it is a bit of a long drive these days from the Bay Area. Bob |
Eradicating BBA
"Chris_S" wrote in message ... I guess I no longer believe that there are any water conditions under which BBA will not survive. Sure you can make it grow faster or slower, but the point is it keeps growing once it is in your tank. That is not true with Green algae. That you can control and essentially make it disappear. I've never had any significant problem with Green algae. Once you have it in your tank, well I guess you could say it's probably like having Herpes. You just have to learn how to live with it. I am fed up living with it and I want it out. Regards, Chris. You are right in one regard, there are not really any water conditions where BBA won't grow. There are conditions where plants grow well enough that BBA essentially disappears. Spores are everywhere, no matter what you do sooner or later everything will find its way into your tank. If you have good balanced conditions you don't have problems. Sadly balanced conditions in a tiny artificial ecosystem are hard to come by. You need balanced conditions where the plants grow well and they will not be over powered by algae. You can spend bucks testing or use Tom's method of dosing ferts and water changes. A lot of Tom's ideas are based on solid experimental work and research. It is fascinating to spend part of an afternoon listening to him talk about the science and practical experience behind his ideas with experienced planted aquarium types. I have to chuckle watching guys with kids (and tanks) older than Tom listen and agree with his methods. It isn't the only way, but it works. I personally have had really bad experience with chemicals. Actually I had my best luck using pristine water out of the big springs along the Snake River. Never had any kind of problems, but it is a bit of a long drive these days from the Bay Area. Bob |
Eradicating BBA
"RedForeman ©®" wrote in message ... I can only offer 2 words of advice... Manual Removal - if it's not there, it_Can't_ grow... right? If you have it, you must "Manually Remove" what you can... on substrate, plants, equipment... entirely submersing them in chlorine will chemically remove it... getting rid of it, totally is a hard job... slow but steady manual removal is indeed the slowest but most promising method. A little at a time, will rid your tank of it... Ok, with that said, I ask, will it grow back? If you repeat what started it, yes... If you follow a somewhat strict regimen of CO2, Ferts, and water changes, it'll probably STOP growing, go dormant and may even subside... that I cannot prove, but mine is no longer growing.... When all else seems like it'll too fail, you can always try what someone suggests... it doesn't hurt.. I was the one saying I was going to tear this tank down to the stand and clean it... instead, I removed it manually, added CO2, and ferts, and slowly but surely, it's being removed.... daily. -- RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike streetfighter!!! Mine hides under a tangled mess of Java fern. One of these I'll have to pull the fern for a peroxide dip, but I'm lazy and it is behaving ;-) bob |
Eradicating BBA
"RedForeman ©®" wrote in message ... I can only offer 2 words of advice... Manual Removal - if it's not there, it_Can't_ grow... right? If you have it, you must "Manually Remove" what you can... on substrate, plants, equipment... entirely submersing them in chlorine will chemically remove it... getting rid of it, totally is a hard job... slow but steady manual removal is indeed the slowest but most promising method. A little at a time, will rid your tank of it... Ok, with that said, I ask, will it grow back? If you repeat what started it, yes... If you follow a somewhat strict regimen of CO2, Ferts, and water changes, it'll probably STOP growing, go dormant and may even subside... that I cannot prove, but mine is no longer growing.... When all else seems like it'll too fail, you can always try what someone suggests... it doesn't hurt.. I was the one saying I was going to tear this tank down to the stand and clean it... instead, I removed it manually, added CO2, and ferts, and slowly but surely, it's being removed.... daily. -- RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike streetfighter!!! Mine hides under a tangled mess of Java fern. One of these I'll have to pull the fern for a peroxide dip, but I'm lazy and it is behaving ;-) bob |
Eradicating BBA
"RedForeman ©®" wrote in message ... No Red NOooooooooo....Don't do it, come back to the light side ;) Don't let these heathens suck you down. LOL :) HA-HA!!! I'm not particularly looking forward to it, I'm trying the CO2, ferts idea for a while first... but after some reading... eeehh??? -- RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike streetfighter!!! Actually peroxide does just as well, it dies and ... turns white or pink, then often gets eaten.... I've been told a big syringe using a needle for proper placement can kill it in the tank. never tried that though. Might beat tearing up the tank. Bob |
Eradicating BBA
"RedForeman ©®" wrote in message ... No Red NOooooooooo....Don't do it, come back to the light side ;) Don't let these heathens suck you down. LOL :) HA-HA!!! I'm not particularly looking forward to it, I'm trying the CO2, ferts idea for a while first... but after some reading... eeehh??? -- RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike streetfighter!!! Actually peroxide does just as well, it dies and ... turns white or pink, then often gets eaten.... I've been told a big syringe using a needle for proper placement can kill it in the tank. never tried that though. Might beat tearing up the tank. Bob |
Eradicating BBA
"Robert Flory" wrote in message ... "RedForeman ©®" wrote in message ... No Red NOooooooooo....Don't do it, come back to the light side ;) Don't let these heathens suck you down. LOL :) HA-HA!!! I'm not particularly looking forward to it, I'm trying the CO2, ferts idea for a while first... but after some reading... eeehh??? -- RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike streetfighter!!! Actually peroxide does just as well, it dies and ... turns white or pink, then often gets eaten.... I've been told a big syringe using a needle for proper placement can kill it in the tank. never tried that though. Might beat tearing up the tank. Bob I have tried peroxide and it did work although somewhat difficult to direct a flow of liquid underwater onto a particular target. It is a long process as you do it a bit at a time if the fish are still in the tank. Rick |
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