krisw wrote:Just curious, while on your vacation were you auto-dosing? I've had cases where ceasing dosing altogether fixed the problem while on vacation.
Otherwise, all of the treatments prescribed above will work.
I haven't set up my auto dosing yet, but I did have someone taking care of the aquariums and dosing while I was gone.
I am starting with the blackout option. I turned off the light to that tank last night and this morning I made sure all the blinds were closed so it wouldn't get any window light either. I am going to try to leave work early today and stop by Rick's to pick up a dozen Amanos. This weekend, I will do the Excel or Hydrogen Peroxide treatement. I am worried that my mini pellia will not survive. It has really grown in nicely so I am bummed about that. I am considering removing the mini pellia and putting it in a covered bucket for week. I wonder if it can do without the CO2 for that long. Does anyone have advice as to how to the kill the algae and not kill the pellia?
Julie
37g planted, 11g planted, and three 5.2g planted shrimp tanks.
jweis wrote:
I haven't set up my auto dosing yet, but I did have someone taking care of the aquariums and dosing while I was gone.
Ah ha! I suspect improper dosing. Either "if 5 mls each day is good, then 10 mls is better" or "she wants me to add 5 mls on Wednesday and 5 mls on Friday, I'll just do 10 mls on Wednesday and I'm good for the week". Or they over fed everyone.
FWIW, When I had my string algae bloom - I reduced the light photo period and intensity (Moved it farther away from the surface) and kept steady dosing - The plants have started to grow and the algae is slowly dissipating.
I've been cleaning it up with a tooth brush and there's less and less every day.
jweis wrote:
I haven't set up my auto dosing yet, but I did have someone taking care of the aquariums and dosing while I was gone.
Ah ha! I suspect improper dosing. Either "if 5 mls each day is good, then 10 mls is better" or "she wants me to add 5 mls on Wednesday and 5 mls on Friday, I'll just do 10 mls on Wednesday and I'm good for the week". Or they over fed everyone.
I'd do a water change and spot treat.
Cheers.
Jim
Yes, I gave instructions to only dose half of what I normally dose and I installed an auto fish feeder so no fish feeding was required at all. I don't think the fertz were the problem since the algae was there before I left on vacation. I was picking some of it out daily before I left. I think it being left alone for 10 days was an opportunity it took advantage of.
Currently, I have a black bag over the tank to black it out for a few days and I also put a capful of Excel in the tank. This afternoon I will do a large water change as well. Last night I tried to manually remove as much of it as I could, but that is very difficult to do. I think this will be a long process.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that I also threw in 12 Amano's last night too. This tank is just 11g's so hopefully that many Amano's should help.
Julie
37g planted, 11g planted, and three 5.2g planted shrimp tanks.
I was talking with a friend at work about my algae problem and he said he uses barley in his pond to control algae. I then did a bit of research online and saw barley extract is sold for algae control in aquariums. Has anyone used this?
Julie
37g planted, 11g planted, and three 5.2g planted shrimp tanks.
scientist0724 wrote:Yes, I actually use the Tetra Pond Barley and Peat Extract. It really does keep my water very clear too!
Arlene
Very interesting, Arlene. And you don't notice any negative effects on your plants from this? Do you think it actually makes a noticeable difference on the algae?
jweis wrote:I was talking with a friend at work about my algae problem and he said he uses barley in his pond to control algae. I then did a bit of research online and saw barley extract is sold for algae control in aquariums. Has anyone used this?
I have not used it personally, but Longwood Gardens and many other public spaces with ponds use barley straw all the time to control spring algae blooms.
I saw some discussion online saying that this decomposition process requires sunlight to be most effective. That's why I'm wondering how effective it is in our tanks with our lights?
