Tell me your algae stories!

[Altum]

I'm preparing a presentation for my aquarium society next month. I'm
going to be talking about algae and how to prevent it.

I'd love some input to help write my talk. I have two questions.
First, what was your worst algae disaster and what did you do? Second,
how are you currently managing algae in your favorite tank?

I'll start. My worst disaster was black brush algae everywhere in a
tank. The fix was trimming all the plant leaves with BBA and bleaching
the decorations. Then I started adding CO2, which helped. Finally, I
got lucky enough to find a pair of siamese algae eaters (they were rare
back then) who ate all the remaining traces of it.

In my favorite tank: Good fertilization (mostly from heavy fish
stocking), Flourish Excel, otocinclus, an SAE, and Amano shrimp. The
plants are totally algae free and I scrape a bit of spot algae from the
glass.

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to reply.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

[Mr. Gardener]

On Sat, 25 Feb 2006 08:31:08 GMT, Altum > wrote:

>I'm preparing a presentation for my aquarium society next month. I'm
>going to be talking about algae and how to prevent it.
>
>I'd love some input to help write my talk. I have two questions.
>First, what was your worst algae disaster and what did you do? Second,
>how are you currently managing algae in your favorite tank?
>
>I'll start. My worst disaster was black brush algae everywhere in a
>tank. The fix was trimming all the plant leaves with BBA and bleaching
>the decorations. Then I started adding CO2, which helped. Finally, I
>got lucky enough to find a pair of siamese algae eaters (they were rare
>back then) who ate all the remaining traces of it.
>
>In my favorite tank: Good fertilization (mostly from heavy fish
>stocking), Flourish Excel, otocinclus, an SAE, and Amano shrimp. The
>plants are totally algae free and I scrape a bit of spot algae from the
>glass.

Algae? What's that? (smiley winking face goes here)

-- Mr Gardener

[Pete Stephenson]

In article >,
Altum > wrote:

> I'd love some input to help write my talk. I have two questions.
> First, what was your worst algae disaster and what did you do? Second,
> how are you currently managing algae in your favorite tank?

For reasons unknown (I was down to <4hrs of light per day, minimal
feeding every other day, etc. with no effect), my 25 gallon tank was
saturated with green algae "fog". The tank's not planted, was properly
cycled, and well-established. Has both undergravel filter w/ powerhead
and Eclipse filter and biowheel. All chemical readings came out normal
using a Hagen test kit.

One couldn't see more than 3" into the tank before visibility was
completely obscured with a greenish fog.

Finally, after two weeks, I was unable to stand it anymore. All the
non-chemical remedies I had attempted had failed with absolutely no
effect whatsoever on the algae. I finally bought a bottle of AlgaeFix,
applied the proper dosage, had dinner, and when I returned the tank was
/crystal clear/. I mean really clear! All the algae was gone, and the
water looked fantastic.

I applied the suggested dosage of AlgaeFix every day for the next week
to ensure that the algae wouldn't return. It's now been about 9 months
or so, and the algae hasn't returned at all and the fish seem to be
quite happy. No noticeable side-effects from the chemical were noticed;
I highly recommend it.

Cheers!

--
Pete Stephenson
HeyPete.com

[John Allen]

Is it possible does anyone know where to buy algaefix in the UK or if I
send the money could somebody in the US post some.

Thanks

John


"Pete Stephenson" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Altum > wrote:
>
>> I'd love some input to help write my talk. I have two questions.
>> First, what was your worst algae disaster and what did you do? Second,
>> how are you currently managing algae in your favorite tank?
>
> For reasons unknown (I was down to <4hrs of light per day, minimal
> feeding every other day, etc. with no effect), my 25 gallon tank was
> saturated with green algae "fog". The tank's not planted, was properly
> cycled, and well-established. Has both undergravel filter w/ powerhead
> and Eclipse filter and biowheel. All chemical readings came out normal
> using a Hagen test kit.
>
> One couldn't see more than 3" into the tank before visibility was
> completely obscured with a greenish fog.
>
> Finally, after two weeks, I was unable to stand it anymore. All the
> non-chemical remedies I had attempted had failed with absolutely no
> effect whatsoever on the algae. I finally bought a bottle of AlgaeFix,
> applied the proper dosage, had dinner, and when I returned the tank was
> /crystal clear/. I mean really clear! All the algae was gone, and the
> water looked fantastic.
>
> I applied the suggested dosage of AlgaeFix every day for the next week
> to ensure that the algae wouldn't return. It's now been about 9 months
> or so, and the algae hasn't returned at all and the fish seem to be
> quite happy. No noticeable side-effects from the chemical were noticed;
> I highly recommend it.
>
> Cheers!
>
> --
> Pete Stephenson
> HeyPete.com

[NetMax]

"Altum" > wrote in message
t...
> I'm preparing a presentation for my aquarium society next month. I'm
> going to be talking about algae and how to prevent it.
>
> I'd love some input to help write my talk. I have two questions.
> First, what was your worst algae disaster and what did you do? Second,
> how are you currently managing algae in your favorite tank?
>
> I'll start. My worst disaster was black brush algae everywhere in a
> tank. The fix was trimming all the plant leaves with BBA and bleaching
> the decorations. Then I started adding CO2, which helped. Finally, I
> got lucky enough to find a pair of siamese algae eaters (they were rare
> back then) who ate all the remaining traces of it.
>
> In my favorite tank: Good fertilization (mostly from heavy fish
> stocking), Flourish Excel, otocinclus, an SAE, and Amano shrimp. The
> plants are totally algae free and I scrape a bit of spot algae from the
> glass.
>
> --
> Put the word aquaria in the subject to reply.
> Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

I've usually quite pragmatic about algae, watching various types fight
for domination and territory, as long as they stay off the glass - until
my 70g went green. Algae bloom, and I couldn't see more than a few
inches in. Fortunately the Guppies inside didn't appear to care, and
their fry probably found it easier to hide, so the population went up. I
was prepared to not take immediate action, but it was a planted tank, so
I was a little worried.

Being a trained professional *cough* and working in the trade with access
to a myriad of chemicals & potions, I thought this would be a good
opportunity to do some product testing. I started with barley pellets
(which works in ponds), but I never got the water flow satisfactory. I
tried a few other things which I won't mention because I was starting to
lack the time to do these tests in a properly controlled manner to
produce credible data. The water didn't improve, perhaps it even got
thicker.

Then I stopped having time to try anything, and just left the tank alone
(lights on timer, kept autofeeder filled and occasionally saw some
movement in the tank). From start to finish this went on for 4 months
(and it's the finish that was most remarkable). In the span of 3 days,
the water went crystal clear. Ironically, the hood was still covered
with various treatments that I had abandoned months before. I wasn't
using anything at the time of this 'miraculous' self-cure (all automated,
except for regular water changes), so the algae must have run into a
nutritional wall. If I had been using _any_ product or technique at the
time, then I'd probably be here incorrectly espousing it's virtues, when
it really would've been just a coincidence.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Koi-Lo]

"Altum" > wrote in message
t...
> I'm preparing a presentation for my aquarium society next month. I'm
> going to be talking about algae and how to prevent it.
>
> I'd love some input to help write my talk. I have two questions. First,
> what was your worst algae disaster and what did you do? Second, how are
> you currently managing algae in your favorite tank?

Mine is this black furry crud overtaking everything in a 55g tank, actually
smothering and killing the other plants. At first it looked like chimney
soot. Massive water changes did nothing. I took someone's advice to cut
back on feeding the fish and added Flourish Excel (on 2/24). It'll be a few
days before I see a difference.

> I'll start. My worst disaster was black brush algae everywhere in a tank.
> The fix was trimming all the plant leaves with BBA and bleaching the
> decorations.

What is BAA?

Then I started adding CO2, which helped. Finally, I
> got lucky enough to find a pair of siamese algae eaters (they were rare
> back then) who ate all the remaining traces of it.

I can get the Chinese AEs here but they're too aggressive to bother with.

> In my favorite tank: Good fertilization (mostly from heavy fish stocking),
> Flourish Excel, otocinclus, an SAE, and Amano shrimp. The plants are
> totally algae free and I scrape a bit of spot algae from the glass.

How often do you do partial water changes and how much are you changing at a
time?

Koi-Lo

[Richard Sexton]

>> I'll start. My worst disaster was black brush algae everywhere in a tank.
>> The fix was trimming all the plant leaves with BBA and bleaching the
>> decorations.
>
>What is BAA?

It's BBA spelled wrong. Black Brush Algae, a red algae that looks like
black bristles. Commonly seen in old tanks, usually first appearing
near filter outakes.

--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[Richard Sexton]

>>What is BAA?

It's what sheep say.


--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[Koi-Lo]

"Richard Sexton" > wrote in message
...
>>> I'll start. My worst disaster was black brush algae everywhere in a
>>> tank.
>>> The fix was trimming all the plant leaves with BBA and bleaching the
>>> decorations.
>>
>>What is BAA?
>
> It's BBA spelled wrong. Black Brush Algae, a red algae that looks like
> black bristles. Commonly seen in old tanks, usually first appearing
> near filter outakes.
======================
Oh!!! Thanks. Yes, I know what that one is.

Koi-Lo...

[[email protected]]

Altum wrote:
> I'm preparing a presentation for my aquarium society next month. I'm
> going to be talking about algae and how to prevent it.
>
Never have had any major problems with it. I find that chaning the
carbon in my filter every 6 weeks or so helps a lot.

I do have something now that puzzles me a bit. Rather long and feathry
looking strands of something that attaches itself to hard surfaces in
the tank. Been trimming it for weeks now, bit of a puzzler how I got it
since it suddenly appeared in the tank even though I hadn't added
anything to that tank in months.

Jeroen

[Koi-Lo]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> I do have something now that puzzles me a bit. Rather long and feathry
> looking strands of something that attaches itself to hard surfaces in
> the tank. Been trimming it for weeks now, bit of a puzzler how I got it
> since it suddenly appeared in the tank even though I hadn't added
> anything to that tank in months.
=======================
I was told, "Just open a window and algae spores will blow in."

Koi-Lo

[Pete Stephenson]

In article >,
"John Allen" > wrote:

> Is it possible does anyone know where to buy algaefix in the UK or if I
> send the money could somebody in the US post some.

Check out http://froogle.google.com/ and search for AlgaeFix. I'm sure
numerous aquarium websites would stock it or a similar product, and I'm
sure that at least some of the sites would be willing to send some to
the UK.

It's about $5-$8 USD for an 8oz bottle, which is good for 1200 gallons
or so.

I'm surprised you can't find it locally...

--
Pete Stephenson
HeyPete.com

[Gill Passman]

Altum wrote:
> I'm preparing a presentation for my aquarium society next month. I'm
> going to be talking about algae and how to prevent it.
>
> I'd love some input to help write my talk. I have two questions. First,
> what was your worst algae disaster and what did you do? Second, how are
> you currently managing algae in your favorite tank?
>
> I'll start. My worst disaster was black brush algae everywhere in a
> tank. The fix was trimming all the plant leaves with BBA and bleaching
> the decorations. Then I started adding CO2, which helped. Finally, I
> got lucky enough to find a pair of siamese algae eaters (they were rare
> back then) who ate all the remaining traces of it.
>
> In my favorite tank: Good fertilization (mostly from heavy fish
> stocking), Flourish Excel, otocinclus, an SAE, and Amano shrimp. The
> plants are totally algae free and I scrape a bit of spot algae from the
> glass.
>

One thing I find quite fascinating is how I get different types of algae
depending on the tank and its location.

The 47.5 gall Community Tank in the Conservatory was my first real
encounter. Not only did it have the green spot stuff but also green hair
algae - all over. I tried removing it manually but got nowhere...I tried
cutting the lighting (it's a very bright room) but got nowhere. So I
went out and bought tons and tons of fast growing plants, some Plant
food and a Plec, some Otos and 3 Flying Foxes...haven't seen any hair
algae in there for over a year - still have to scrape the glass though...

The little Hex tank I have in the living room always seems to develop
flourescent green algae (well almost slime) - as a twist in it's latest
incarnation it also has brown fluffy algae on the plant leaves (it's
planted all out with just Vallis at the moment). The light is a 10W
Halogen. My plan of action on this tank is to increase water changes and
probably change the planting a bit to better suit the lighting but
haven't decided what to put instead of the Vallis yet.

My son's 30 gall tank periodically suffers with green hair algae - kind
of like green candyfloss. The tank is heavily planted but there are no
"algae eaters" in there (unless you count Mollies who just graze
sometimes). From time to time we just pull it out and it goes for a few
weeks then returns. We are currently sticking with the manual removal
process.

The three tanks in the kitchen don't really suffer from the green spot
algae on the glass - not much natural light. But Boris the Betta's tank
does have a lawn type green algae on the driftwood. I'm leaving this as
it actually looks quite pretty and isn't spreading significantly.

The Malawi tank is a different matter. I'm currently fighting the same
battle as Koi-Lo has been with black crud (algae/diatoms) so have been
following the discussions between her and Richard Sexton with some
interest. Until a week or so ago the tank had few if any plants - the
anubias used to just get coated in the stuff so I've just been moving
them to let the otos and Flying Foxes clean them up - they then looked
so nice I never moved them back. I was assuming that the algae and the
diatoms (purple/brown stuff) on the glass was down to the lack of plants
but also a subtle difference in the chemical make up of the water. The
tank has a lot of rock work that leeches Calcium Carbonate (?) into the
water along with a Coral sand type substrate. Also the tank is
overstocked - they do it themselves - lol (can't remember the last time
I put a fish in there).

Anyway, the whole thing was getting a lot worse (it had never been
perfect) so I measured for Phosphates (and got a result of 5) so I'm
guessing this is a major part of the issue - the fish get a "low in
phosphate" pellet but I guess not low enough when combined with the
waste. So, I have now planted the tank quite heavily - cuttings from
other tanks and stuff that I don't mind the Mbunas shredding. I'm going
to increase the water changes plus vac the gravel with a new toy I
bought (just takes crud without needing to remove water). Since adding
the plants the amount of muck on the gravel has increased significantly
- I'm guessing dying algae. Interestingly, the brown/purple diatoms on
the front have gone and are now replaced with a powdery green stuff -
higher form of algae perhaps?

I'm unsure about adding Plant food (also can't get the Flourish Excel
where I shop so would have to order on-line). I'd more rather that the
plants themselves bring the phosphates down naturally before adding them
back with fertiliser. So it is water changes, gravel vacs, more plants
possibly and I will be upgrading the filter shortly (I have a Fluval 404
about to be freed up).

Hope these snippets help - sorry it seems have got a bit long

Gill

[Altum]

Gill Passman wrote:

> I'm unsure about adding Plant food (also can't get the Flourish Excel
> where I shop so would have to order on-line). I'd more rather that the
> plants themselves bring the phosphates down naturally before adding them
> back with fertiliser. So it is water changes, gravel vacs, more plants
> possibly and I will be upgrading the filter shortly (I have a Fluval 404
> about to be freed up).
>
> Hope these snippets help - sorry it seems have got a bit long

Excel is worth every penny! It's not CO2, yet it makes a noticeable
difference. Your plants will grow faster and clean the water better.
Even better, Excel seems to inhibit the growth of algae.

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to reply.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

[Altum]

Thanks to everyone for the replies! Every little bit helps.

Does anyone have tips if I'm asked about setups with big,
plant-shredding South American cichlids? LFS where I worked always put
a "rescued" foot-long pleco in tanks like that. How large does a pleco
have to be to withstand the onslaught of an adult oscar? I'd also like
some tips to pass on for people with coldwater goldfish tanks.

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to reply.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

[Mr. Gardener]

On Sun, 26 Feb 2006 18:32:36 +0000, Gill Passman
> wrote:

>Altum wrote:
>> I'm preparing a presentation for my aquarium society next month. I'm
>> going to be talking about algae and how to prevent it.
>>
>> I'd love some input to help write my talk. I have two questions. First,
>> what was your worst algae disaster and what did you do? Second, how are
>> you currently managing algae in your favorite tank?

I've been realitively lucky in the algae department. I had one tank
many years ago that filled with the dread dark blue green hairy stuff,
which I ripped out with my hands from time to time; I wondered how the
fish could find room to swim in there. I finally tore that tank down
completely and moved it, away from the window. All of my tanks are now
well away from windows, or in corners near windows but just far enough
away to avoid prolonged direct daylight. I have a 15 that I like to
stock with only plants and corys - part of their substrate is ordinary
sand, which can be messy come water change time, but they have so much
fun playing in it. This sandy area catches some direct early morning
sunlight, and broken by the water movement, the sun sort of dances on
the corys' playground. The corys seem to dance as well. My secret
weapon for algae in that tank is no secret, it's water sprite, some
planted in the substrate, and always a few pieces floating on the
surface, which gives the corys some protection from bright overhead
lighting. My lfs tells me I am his only customer able to grow Water
Sprite, so I always have a place to dump my extra by the bucketful.
Whenever I know that I am going to be neglecting a tank for a while,
or even if I delay until after I notice I'm already neglecting a tank,
I throw in a couple of handfuls of water sprite - the watersprite
thrives, the algae is almost non-existent. The 29 that I have
essentially neglected for the past couple of years became so dense in
water sprite that the plant pushed open the top glass and just got
stronger in the atmosphere. In fact, I was just thinking this morning
about figuring a way to grow some algae to keep the bellies full on
the 3 or 4 Ancistrus I plan to add soon. I know they like zuchinni,
and they nibble at algae disks, but I think they would enjoy some
genuine algae now and then. I have a 55 that I started on January 4,
six or seven weeks ago, which I planted heavily from day one, and the
dramatic chemistry spikes were much more subdued than I am accustomed
to. At one point, the tank developed some green water, which I
attacked immediately with, naturally, water sprite. The tank cleared
within a few days. In that tank there is also a larger that usual Java
Fern that my lfs had given me - "no one wants to pay the price for
this big of a Java Fern and I don't want to cut the beautiful long
(root? corm?) so have a free plant." I don't always understand his
reasoning, but I never argue with him. The Java Fern came with some of
that black brushy algae on several of the leaves, I followed the book
with the simplest advice, try to rub it off, pick it off, or trim it
off, before cutting off the whole leaf. I rubbed, picked and snipped a
little with the scissors and it has not returned, the areas affected
seem to actually be shrinking. Now that my other plants in that tank
have kicked into gear and started growing, I've removed the water
sprite.

I'm getting nervous as I write this, thinking that after I touch the
send button I may be eating my words in a few weeks, drowning in a sea
of algae . . . maybe I'll add the word algae to the same status as
pl*co. Yes, I think I'll just type alg*e from now on.

-- Mr Gardener

[Mr. Gardener]

On Sun, 26 Feb 2006 20:06:14 GMT, Altum > wrote:

>Gill Passman wrote:
>
>> I'm unsure about adding Plant food (also can't get the Flourish Excel
>> where I shop so would have to order on-line). I'd more rather that the
>> plants themselves bring the phosphates down naturally before adding them
>> back with fertiliser. So it is water changes, gravel vacs, more plants
>> possibly and I will be upgrading the filter shortly (I have a Fluval 404
>> about to be freed up).
>>
>> Hope these snippets help - sorry it seems have got a bit long
>
>Excel is worth every penny! It's not CO2, yet it makes a noticeable
>difference. Your plants will grow faster and clean the water better.
>Even better, Excel seems to inhibit the growth of algae.

Do you use anything besides Excel? From reading the catalog
descriptions, I get the feeling Flourish expects me to buy every
formulation in their line. Do you use tablets in the substrate, or
just liquid fertilizers? I have a supply of Leaf Zone liquid and the
tablet companion. My plantings are too new for me to really know how
effective they are. If they are. My substrate is laterite under river
gravel.

-- Mr Gardener

[Steve]

Altum wrote:
I have two questions. First,
> what was your worst algae disaster and what did you do? Second, how are
> you currently managing algae in your favorite tank?
>

I've had blue-green algae (BGA, cyanobacteria) in my aquariums since
about 1998. At that time the city started adding a small amount of
phosphorous to the water to prevent health issues with lead pipes, and
my tanks went downhill somewhat.

Recently on advice from Mr. Sexton and upon reading the Tom Barr method
and other things, I've started adding KNO3 to my aquariums in quite
substantial amounts. I'd tried this before but was using homeopathic
concentrations :) . I also used ethromycin to swat the BGA.

For now the results of adding KNO3 appear to be spectacularly good. My
plants are growing strongly, there's minimal algae and there's no BGA.

Steve

[Koi-Lo]

"Altum" > wrote in message
. com...
> Excel is worth every penny! It's not CO2, yet it makes a noticeable
> difference. Your plants will grow faster and clean the water better. Even
> better, Excel seems to inhibit the growth of algae.
================
Didn't Richard say algae can't live in the presence of something, some
chemical or enzyme in Flourish Excell? It's almost 48 hours now since I
added it to my two 55g tanks and I see little difference. Massive water
changes on these tanks changed what looked like black soot into fine fuzzy
blackish-reddish fur. :-(

I bought 3 more algae eaters today to add to these tanks (one is really bad
with this black-red fur and the other is just starting with it). I got a
clown pleco and 2 more ottos this afternoon. One otto will go into the
tanks that's not too bad, the other otto and clown Pleco will go into the
badly infested tank.

Adding more Flourish fertilizers hasn't stimulated any thing to grow so far
but the elodia/anacharis (sp?) and the vals. They turned a nicer shade of
green these past few days.

I'm feeding the fish lightly only once a day now as well. We'll
see...........

Koi-Lo...........

[Koi-Lo]

"Mr. Gardener" > wrote in message
...
> I'm getting nervous as I write this, thinking that after I touch the
> send button I may be eating my words in a few weeks, drowning in a sea
> of algae . . . maybe I'll add the word algae to the same status as
> pl*co. Yes, I think I'll just type alg*e from now on.
==================
In NYCs soft slightly acid water I never had algae problems either. Any
algae was the green type and caused no problems. Water sprite thrived there
as they're doing for you now. Here where the water is hard and alkaline it
fades away in no time. I haven't seen it for sale here in at least 15
years. Java fern dies as well. It struggles along, then turns brown and
dies. What really surprised me is my hornwart all died out in all my tanks
at the same time. Both what the black-red crud covered and what was in
other tanks not affected with this algae.

Koi-Lo......

[Koi-Lo]

"Altum" > wrote in message
. com...
I'd also like
> some tips to pass on for people with coldwater goldfish tanks.
====================
I've found GF are not that destructive to plants when well fed and when they
get oranges and zucchini weekly. Hungry goldfish will soon be eating the
scenery. I expect mine to start in on my plants any day now since I've cut
back on feeding - because of this disgusting ugly black furry algae.

Koi-Lo.....

[Koi-Lo]

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
>
> For now the results of adding KNO3 appear to be spectacularly good. My
> plants are growing strongly, there's minimal algae and there's no BGA.
==============
What is KNO3? Potassium?

Koi-Lo............

[Steve]

Koi-Lo wrote:

> What is KNO3? Potassium?
>
> Koi-Lo............

That's potassium nitrate from the hydroponics store. You make up a stock
solution and dose the aquarium with it.
Steve

[Koi-Lo]

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> Koi-Lo wrote:
>
>> What is KNO3? Potassium?
>>
>> Koi-Lo............
>
> That's potassium nitrate from the hydroponics store. You make up a stock
> solution and dose the aquarium with it.
> Steve
==========================
I assume these stores are online. It's very difficult to find these macro
plant nutrients separately where I live. I did find a bag of Muriate of
Potash last summer at a large Nursery.

Koi-Lo........

[Steve]

Koi-Lo wrote:
>
> "Steve" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> Koi-Lo wrote:
>>
>>> What is KNO3? Potassium?
>>>
>>> Koi-Lo............
>>
>>
>> That's potassium nitrate from the hydroponics store. You make up a
>> stock solution and dose the aquarium with it.
>> Steve
>
> ==========================
> I assume these stores are online. It's very difficult to find these
> macro plant nutrients separately where I live. I did find a bag of
> Muriate of Potash last summer at a large Nursery.
>
> Koi-Lo........

We have a hydroponics store in our town - perhaps because there's snow
on the ground for 4 months of the year. Another (Ozzie?) poster wrote to
be sure to pay cash in case the place is busted, but folks here really
do want to grow tomatoes, cucumbers and aquarium plants :) .

There's reference in the archives (dejanews/ google) and other Internet
aquarium resources to a widely-available tree stump remover that's 100
percent KNO3. Perhaps KNO3 availability may be restricted because, as we
learned in grade school, the ancient Chinese mixed saltpeter (KNO3),
charcoal and sulphur to make black powder.

Steve

[Richard Sexton]

In article >,
Pete Stephenson > wrote:
>In article >,
> "John Allen" > wrote:
>
>> Is it possible does anyone know where to buy algaefix in the UK or if I
>> send the money could somebody in the US post some.
>
>Check out http://froogle.google.com/ and search for AlgaeFix. I'm sure

Junk. Kills plants, shrimp, good bacteria and doens't touch black algae.

I've tried every agae killer this is. Excel is the only thing I eevr
found that works porperly.

--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[Richard Sexton]

In article >,
Koi-Lo > wrote:
>I was told, "Just open a window and algae spores will blow in."

Yup. Plus it's in all pet store water, it comes in on plants,
on fish, you name it. Spores will always be in our tanks, the
tirck is to have fast growing plants that out-compete it.

If you have a UV sterilizer that'll kill it - and make more
crystal clear water than you've ever seen, but you can get
by without one.



--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[Richard Sexton]

In article >,
Mr. Gardener > wrote:
>Do you use anything besides Excel? From reading the catalog
>descriptions, I get the feeling Flourish expects me to buy every
>formulation in their line.

The organic carbon in Excel speeds up plant metabolism, so
you have to feed the plants something! Mixing up your own
fertilizers from the small handfull of dry chemicals is the
only practifcal (ie, cheap) solution. Pun intended.

Hydroponics stores are the best local source of these,
gregwatson.com is the alternative.

--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[Richard Sexton]

In article >,
Koi-Lo > wrote:
>Didn't Richard say algae can't live in the presence of something, some
>chemical or enzyme in Flourish Excell? It's almost 48 hours now since I
>added it to my two 55g tanks and I see little difference. Massive water
>changes on these tanks changed what looked like black soot into fine fuzzy
>blackish-reddish fur. :-(

Yup, it's starting to die.

>Adding more Flourish fertilizers hasn't stimulated any thing to grow so far
>but the elodia/anacharis (sp?) and the vals. They turned a nicer shade of
>green these past few days.

In about 3 weeks you'll see a big difference in leaf color and size.



--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[Koi-Lo]

"Richard Sexton" > wrote in message
...
> I've tried every agae killer this is. Excel is the only thing I eevr
> found that works porperly.
=========================
How long does it take to work? So far the only changes I see are what the
ottos and plecs have made on this algae. When does it turn "white" and fall
off?

Koi-Lo......

[Koi-Lo]

"Richard Sexton" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Koi-Lo > wrote:
>>I was told, "Just open a window and algae spores will blow in."
>
> Yup. Plus it's in all pet store water, it comes in on plants,
> on fish, you name it. Spores will always be in our tanks, the
> tirck is to have fast growing plants that out-compete it.

Once the algae covers the plants they can't out-compete it. Flourish Excell
and the other Flourish products have made no difference where this algae is
concerned. When does it turn "white" as you claimed and fall from
everything it's on?

> If you have a UV sterilizer that'll kill it - and make more
> crystal clear water than you've ever seen, but you can get
> by without one.

Koi-Lo..............

[Koi-Lo]

"Richard Sexton" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Koi-Lo > wrote:
>>Didn't Richard say algae can't live in the presence of something, some
>>chemical or enzyme in Flourish Excell? It's almost 48 hours now since I
>>added it to my two 55g tanks and I see little difference. Massive water
>>changes on these tanks changed what looked like black soot into fine fuzzy
>>blackish-reddish fur. :-(
>
> Yup, it's starting to die.

We'll see. It's spreading like wildfire now in one of the 10g tanks since I
added the Flourish Excel and other Flourish fertilizers. The fur is getting
longer and thicker.

>>Adding more Flourish fertilizers hasn't stimulated any thing to grow so
>>far
>>but the elodia/anacharis (sp?) and the vals. They turned a nicer shade of
>>green these past few days.
>
> In about 3 weeks you'll see a big difference in leaf color and size.

Not unless I can get rid of this now reddish-black *furry* algae that's
covering the plants keeping them from getting any light. The plecs and
ottos are working hard on it. None of it is turning white or looks like
it's dying.

Has Flourish Excel and massive water changes killed off this black-red
sooty, furry algae for anyone here other than Richard?

Koi-Lo........

[Altum]

Mr. Gardener wrote:
> On Sun, 26 Feb 2006 20:06:14 GMT, Altum > wrote:
>
>>Excel is worth every penny! It's not CO2, yet it makes a noticeable
>>difference. Your plants will grow faster and clean the water better.
>>Even better, Excel seems to inhibit the growth of algae.
>
>
> Do you use anything besides Excel? From reading the catalog
> descriptions, I get the feeling Flourish expects me to buy every
> formulation in their line. Do you use tablets in the substrate, or
> just liquid fertilizers? I have a supply of Leaf Zone liquid and the
> tablet companion. My plantings are too new for me to really know how
> effective they are. If they are. My substrate is laterite under river
> gravel.

I use a substrate of either gravel over laterite, or a mix of Eco
Complete and Flourite (the mix is for color, really). I am very pleased
with root development in the Eco Complete and Flourite. In new or
lightly stocked tanks I put Plantabbs at the roots of swords and crypts.
Tanks over a year old usually have adequate organic material in the
gravel.

I don't use any commercial liquid fertilizers other than Excel. I buy
bulk fertilizers from http://www.gregwatson.com. I dose KN03, Plantex
CSM+B and a touch of phosphate to lightly stocked tanks. Heavily
stocked tanks get potassium sulfate and Plantex CSM+B. I don't dose
with epsoms or worry about calcium because there is adequate calcium and
magnesium in my tapwater.

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to reply.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

[Richard Sexton]

In article >,
Koi-Lo > wrote:
>
>"Richard Sexton" > wrote in message
...
>> I've tried every agae killer this is. Excel is the only thing I eevr
>> found that works porperly.
>=========================
>How long does it take to work? So far the only changes I see are what the
>ottos and plecs have made on this algae. When does it turn "white" and fall
>off?

Not too long. At least that's what I saw. I also used good fertilizers
and chnaged water. Best I saw though was a black staghorn infected
tank I only used excel on and it turned it weak overnihgt and dead
in 3 days.

--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[Richard Sexton]

In article >,
>Once the algae covers the plants they can't out-compete it.

That's not what I've seen.

> Flourish Excell
>and the other Flourish products have made no difference where this algae is
>concerned. When does it turn "white" as you claimed and fall from
>everything it's on?

When it dies. Be patient.

--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[Richard Sexton]

In article >,
Koi-Lo > wrote:
>Has Flourish Excel and massive water changes killed off this black-red
>sooty, furry algae for anyone here other than Richard?

The long black hairy stuff is called staghorn. The bushy stuff is
called black brush algae or BBA for short.


--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[Steve]

Koi-Lo wrote:
>

> Has Flourish Excel and massive water changes killed off this black-red
> sooty, furry algae for anyone here other than Richard?

I used Flourish Excel in my big plant aquarium last summer. I used my
usual homeopathic concentrations for chemicals going into the tank, but
all the same, my blue-green algae diminished significantly when the
Excel was added to the water. The BGA kind of melted away, but came back
later when I slacked off on the Excel.

Steve

[Koi-Lo]

"Richard Sexton" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Koi-Lo > wrote:
>>
>>"Richard Sexton" > wrote in message
...
>>> I've tried every agae killer this is. Excel is the only thing I eevr
>>> found that works porperly.
>>=========================
>>How long does it take to work? So far the only changes I see are what the
>>ottos and plecs have made on this algae. When does it turn "white" and
>>fall
>>off?
>
> Not too long. At least that's what I saw. I also used good fertilizers
> and chnaged water.

I'm using the other Flourish fertilizer products I've been using all along.

Best I saw though was a black staghorn infected
> tank I only used excel on and it turned it weak overnihgt and dead
> in 3 days.

Well it's 5 days now with no change except it turned from a sooty looking
stuff to a reddish-black fur. Evidently what works on "staghorn" algae
doesn't necessarily work for other algae's despite whatever chemical/enzyme
it contains. Nothing on the container says it kills or starves out algae of
any kind. And it isn't true that algae can't live in the presence of
Flourish Excel because it sure can! Perhaps we should only recommend
Flourish Excel for staghorn algae until someone else has it kill "their"
particular type of algae.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Koi-Lo]

"Richard Sexton" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Koi-Lo > wrote:
>>Has Flourish Excel and massive water changes killed off this black-red
>>sooty, furry algae for anyone here other than Richard?
>
> The long black hairy stuff is called staghorn. The bushy stuff is
> called black brush algae or BBA for short.
==========================
It's about 10th inch long and velvety, almost furry and in large patches -
some leaves are completely covered and look like black velvet. There is no
brush algae in any of the tanks.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Koi-Lo]

"Steve" > wrote in message
.. .
> Koi-Lo wrote:
>>
>
>> Has Flourish Excel and massive water changes killed off this black-red
>> sooty, furry algae for anyone here other than Richard?
>
> I used Flourish Excel in my big plant aquarium last summer. I used my
> usual homeopathic concentrations for chemicals going into the tank, but
> all the same, my blue-green algae diminished significantly when the Excel
> was added to the water.

Thanks but I have no blue-green algae so that wouldn't apply. What I have
almost looks like black velvet covering entire leaves. Since I did the
massive water changes, intensive gravel vacuuming, added more lights and
added the Flourish Excel it changed from what looked like chimney "soot"
into a longer furrier more velvety more invasive algae. It's now rapidly
taking over a 10g tank in my diningroom.

The BGA kind of melted away, but came back
> later when I slacked off on the Excel.

Have you tried it on the red-black sooty looking or velvety black algae?
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Richard Sexton]

>Well it's 5 days now with no change except it turned from a sooty looking
>stuff to a reddish-black fur.

Good, it's working then. It'll keep changing. You can double dose the daily
treatment if you want to speed it up a bit but it's not the frugal thing
to do :-)



--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net