BGA outbreak

[Bill Stock]

I've got an outbreak of dark green slime, which I assume is BGA. I think
this is what has been killing my Sword. I didn't realize how bad it was
until I pruned the Ludwiga today, the leaves are covered. Hopefully it will
recover OK, the coated leaves look a little sick.

I cleaned off what I could, vacuumed the gravel and did a 15% water change.
I've read that Maracyn will kill this stuff off at a 3/4 dose. Can I use
Maracyn with :Loaches and Otos? Will it kill off my bio-filter?

TIA.

[spiral_72]

There's entire conversations dedicated to ridding BGA, plus I don't
know enough to give advice.

However, I thought I would share something kinda cool. I got BGA in a
major way, slimey stuff everywhere. I couldn't vacuum it all up and
only perform a 30% water change SO....... I bought a 10 gallon plastic
tote ($4), dropped a small pump into the tote with a paper towel taped
over the inlet and a line back up to the tank. I was able to vac to my
hearts content without changing the water chemistry. All the "stuff"
was left in the bottom of the tote for disposal.

My Aquaria info & pics at:
http://www.geocities.com/spiral_72/Spirals_page.html

[Elaine T]

Bill Stock wrote:
> I've got an outbreak of dark green slime, which I assume is BGA. I think
> this is what has been killing my Sword. I didn't realize how bad it was
> until I pruned the Ludwiga today, the leaves are covered. Hopefully it will
> recover OK, the coated leaves look a little sick.
>
> I cleaned off what I could, vacuumed the gravel and did a 15% water change.
> I've read that Maracyn will kill this stuff off at a 3/4 dose. Can I use
> Maracyn with :Loaches and Otos? Will it kill off my bio-filter?
>
> TIA.

Yes, Maracyn (erythromycin) will gradually kill off your bio filter
along with the BGA. Test your nitrates. Often, BGA grows in clean
tanks when all the plant ferts (iron, traces, P, K) are present but
nitrates are near zero. BGA can fix nitrogen so it has an advantage
under these circumstances. The fix is dose with KNO3 to keep nitrates
around 5-10 ppm so plants grow better.

Two to three day Blackouts are also very good for controlling BGA.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Bill Stock]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
...
> Bill Stock wrote:
>> I've got an outbreak of dark green slime, which I assume is BGA. I think
>> this is what has been killing my Sword. I didn't realize how bad it was
>> until I pruned the Ludwiga today, the leaves are covered. Hopefully it
>> will recover OK, the coated leaves look a little sick.
>>
>> I cleaned off what I could, vacuumed the gravel and did a 15% water
>> change. I've read that Maracyn will kill this stuff off at a 3/4 dose.
>> Can I use Maracyn with :Loaches and Otos? Will it kill off my bio-filter?
>>
>> TIA.
>
> Yes, Maracyn (erythromycin) will gradually kill off your bio filter along
> with the BGA. Test your nitrates. Often, BGA grows in clean tanks when
> all the plant ferts (iron, traces, P, K) are present but nitrates are near
> zero. BGA can fix nitrogen so it has an advantage under these
> circumstances. The fix is dose with KNO3 to keep nitrates around 5-10 ppm
> so plants grow better.

Thanks Elaine, sadly my Nitrates are running around their usual 10.
Phosphates around .08. I think I need a better water change regimen, I'm
only changing water about every two weeks on this tank.


> Two to three day Blackouts are also very good for controlling BGA.
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Bill Stock]

"spiral_72" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> There's entire conversations dedicated to ridding BGA, plus I don't
> know enough to give advice.
>
> However, I thought I would share something kinda cool. I got BGA in a
> major way, slimey stuff everywhere. I couldn't vacuum it all up and
> only perform a 30% water change SO....... I bought a 10 gallon plastic
> tote ($4), dropped a small pump into the tote with a paper towel taped
> over the inlet and a line back up to the tank. I was able to vac to my
> hearts content without changing the water chemistry. All the "stuff"
> was left in the bottom of the tote for disposal.

Neat idea, a low cost version of the HOT Magnum vacuum.


> My Aquaria info & pics at:
> http://www.geocities.com/spiral_72/Spirals_page.html
>

[js1]

On 2005-10-04, Bill Stock > wrote:
>
> Thanks Elaine, sadly my Nitrates are running around their usual 10.
> Phosphates around .08. I think I need a better water change regimen, I'm
> only changing water about every two weeks on this tank.
>

I used erythromycin phosphate to clear out my blue green algae outbreak.
Got the pills from http://www.plantguild.com/html/algaecide.html. I
used less than recommended dosage.

--
"I have to decide between two equally frightening options.
If I wanted to do that, I'd vote." --Duckman