Starting to get freaked out or very mad.

[TYNK 7]

So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the last
Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen algae
(Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
Netmax, I know I asked you if you knew if it could come out of the tap.
Well, I asked the hubby to research on the puter while I did my water changes
on the tanks and he finds out that it CAN be in tap water and that most
municipalities do NOT test for it.
I have to call my water dept and the EPA Monday.
Regardless of what our water dept. says, I'm going to have the EPA do a water
test...no matter what it costs!
In only 12 hours after the water change I had it growing aging.
It has engulfed my Java Moss in the Betta tanks.
Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java Moss.
OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?

[NetMax]

"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
...
> So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the last
> Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen algae
> (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
> Netmax, I know I asked you if you knew if it could come out of the tap.
> Well, I asked the hubby to research on the puter while I did my water
changes
> on the tanks and he finds out that it CAN be in tap water and that most
> municipalities do NOT test for it.
> I have to call my water dept and the EPA Monday.
> Regardless of what our water dept. says, I'm going to have the EPA do a
water
> test...no matter what it costs!
> In only 12 hours after the water change I had it growing aging.
> It has engulfed my Java Moss in the Betta tanks.
> Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java Moss.
> OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?

According to scepticalaquarist.com, cyno. bacteria is extremely mobile,
even travelling in spores which would probably escape normal detection.

I think that you are going to have to start treating your water in a
holding tank, until this blows over. Research what would kill it most
effectively (UV, chlorine, bleach, EM?). Erythromycin (EM) should not
damage your plants or your biological filter (it's gram-positive and
nitrifiers are mostly gram-negative I think), but the reality is that in
sufficient dosages or duration, the bio-filter is affected, and your
plants will start being adversely affected, starting with duckweed. I
don't think that the higher order plants or ferns would be affected in
the short time you should need to use EM. Java moss would be anyone's
guess, but I wouldn't be too optimistic. Maybe putting the moss in a
brief high dosage of EM will kill the cyno before the moss is affected.

NetMax

[Rick]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> "TYNK 7" > wrote in message
> ...
> > So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the last
> > Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen algae
> > (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
> > Netmax, I know I asked you if you knew if it could come out of the tap.
> > Well, I asked the hubby to research on the puter while I did my water
> changes
> > on the tanks and he finds out that it CAN be in tap water and that most
> > municipalities do NOT test for it.
> > I have to call my water dept and the EPA Monday.
> > Regardless of what our water dept. says, I'm going to have the EPA do a
> water
> > test...no matter what it costs!
> > In only 12 hours after the water change I had it growing aging.
> > It has engulfed my Java Moss in the Betta tanks.
> > Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java Moss.
> > OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?
>
> According to scepticalaquarist.com, cyno. bacteria is extremely mobile,
> even travelling in spores which would probably escape normal detection.
>
> I think that you are going to have to start treating your water in a
> holding tank, until this blows over. Research what would kill it most
> effectively (UV, chlorine, bleach, EM?). Erythromycin (EM) should not
> damage your plants or your biological filter (it's gram-positive and
> nitrifiers are mostly gram-negative I think), but the reality is that in
> sufficient dosages or duration, the bio-filter is affected, and your
> plants will start being adversely affected, starting with duckweed. I
> don't think that the higher order plants or ferns would be affected in
> the short time you should need to use EM. Java moss would be anyone's
> guess, but I wouldn't be too optimistic. Maybe putting the moss in a
> brief high dosage of EM will kill the cyno before the moss is affected.
>
> NetMax
>
>


if using Erythromycin you may want to read this message I got from George
Reclos one of the founders of the Malawi Cichlid Home Page. This was in
response to an query I made with him about using the powdered form of
Levamisole for treating Callamanus.

Rick

The main issue with powder forms (tablets, capsules etc) is that you have to
get a list of the excipients added in them. Some formulations even contain
pH adjusting substances in them, which will be fatal to fish (especially in
low KH systems like Discus tanks). I once decided to use an eff. tablet of
erythromycin (the one which dissolves by itself) instead of the usual
tablets which are hard to "powderize" to combat a nasty outbreak of algae.
Of course, before using it on rare specimens I tried it in a raising tank
with some N. brichardi in it. The first "warning" came from the strong
strawberry flavor of the erythromycin solution. To cut a long story short,
none of the fry survived the treatment, so back to the usual tablets !

[flupke]

TYNK 7 wrote:
> So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the last
> Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen algae
> (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
> Netmax, I know I asked you if you knew if it could come out of the
> tap. Well, I asked the hubby to research on the puter while I did my
> water changes on the tanks and he finds out that it CAN be in tap
> water and that most municipalities do NOT test for it.
> I have to call my water dept and the EPA Monday.
> Regardless of what our water dept. says, I'm going to have the EPA do
> a water test...no matter what it costs!
> In only 12 hours after the water change I had it growing aging.
> It has engulfed my Java Moss in the Betta tanks.
> Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java Moss.
> OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?

Have you thought about adding algae eating fish? That is if the
betta tanks aren't very small.

Benedict

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>From: "flupke"
>Date: 3/22/2004 10:02 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>TYNK 7 wrote:
>> So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the last
>> Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen algae
>> (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
>> Netmax, I know I asked you if you knew if it could come out of the
>> tap. Well, I asked the hubby to research on the puter while I did my
>> water changes on the tanks and he finds out that it CAN be in tap
>> water and that most municipalities do NOT test for it.
>> I have to call my water dept and the EPA Monday.
>> Regardless of what our water dept. says, I'm going to have the EPA do
>> a water test...no matter what it costs!
>> In only 12 hours after the water change I had it growing aging.
>> It has engulfed my Java Moss in the Betta tanks.
>> Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java Moss.
>> OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?
>
>Have you thought about adding algae eating fish? That is if the
>betta tanks aren't very small.
>
>Benedict
>

Bluegreen algae (cyanobacteria) isn't algae. Algae eating fish aren't goig to
eat it, as it's not algae, and is also toxic.

[flupke]

TYNK 7 wrote:
>> Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>> From: "flupke"
>> Date: 3/22/2004 10:02 AM Central Standard Time
>> Message-id: >
>>
>> TYNK 7 wrote:
>>> So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the
>>> last Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen
>>> algae (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
>>> Netmax, I know I asked you if you knew if it could come out of the
>>> tap. Well, I asked the hubby to research on the puter while I did my
>>> water changes on the tanks and he finds out that it CAN be in tap
>>> water and that most municipalities do NOT test for it.
>>> I have to call my water dept and the EPA Monday.
>>> Regardless of what our water dept. says, I'm going to have the EPA
>>> do a water test...no matter what it costs!
>>> In only 12 hours after the water change I had it growing aging.
>>> It has engulfed my Java Moss in the Betta tanks.
>>> Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java Moss.
>>> OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?
>>
>> Have you thought about adding algae eating fish? That is if the
>> betta tanks aren't very small.
>>
>> Benedict
>>
>
> Bluegreen algae (cyanobacteria) isn't algae. Algae eating fish aren't
> goig to eat it, as it's not algae, and is also toxic.

Sorry, i misread your message. I didn't know this bacteria was toxic.

I searched the web a bit and apparently these bacteria are the oldest
known fossiles. Some types of Cyanobacteria can survive extreme
conditions.
They can live in some plants like Azolla and can cause algaebloom
when there are a lot of nutrients in the water (Fe seems to play an
important role also) For instance, in the Baltic Sea they have algae blooms
because of this.
Some of them can produce toxines for instance the microcystis bacteria
can produce microcystines which are a group of bepatotoxines.
That toxin is reported to be as toxic as cobra poison. These are even hard
to filter from water.

Anyway, I hope you win this battle.

Regards,
Benedict

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>From: "flupke"
>Date: 3/22/2004 11:03 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>
>
>TYNK 7 wrote:
>>> Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>>> From: "flupke"
>>> Date: 3/22/2004 10:02 AM Central Standard Time
>>> Message-id: >
>>>
>>> TYNK 7 wrote:
>>>> So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the
>>>> last Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen
>>>> algae (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
>>>> Netmax, I know I asked you if you knew if it could come out of the
>>>> tap. Well, I asked the hubby to research on the puter while I did my
>>>> water changes on the tanks and he finds out that it CAN be in tap
>>>> water and that most municipalities do NOT test for it.
>>>> I have to call my water dept and the EPA Monday.
>>>> Regardless of what our water dept. says, I'm going to have the EPA
>>>> do a water test...no matter what it costs!
>>>> In only 12 hours after the water change I had it growing aging.
>>>> It has engulfed my Java Moss in the Betta tanks.
>>>> Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java Moss.
>>>> OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?
>>>
>>> Have you thought about adding algae eating fish? That is if the
>>> betta tanks aren't very small.
>>>
>>> Benedict
>>>
>>
>> Bluegreen algae (cyanobacteria) isn't algae. Algae eating fish aren't
>> goig to eat it, as it's not algae, and is also toxic.
>
>Sorry, i misread your message. I didn't know this bacteria was toxic.
>
>I searched the web a bit and apparently these bacteria are the oldest
>known fossiles. Some types of Cyanobacteria can survive extreme
>conditions.
>They can live in some plants like Azolla and can cause algaebloom
>when there are a lot of nutrients in the water (Fe seems to play an
>important role also) For instance, in the Baltic Sea they have algae blooms
>because of this.
>Some of them can produce toxines for instance the microcystis bacteria
>can produce microcystines which are a group of bepatotoxines.
>That toxin is reported to be as toxic as cobra poison. These are even hard
>to filter from water.
>
>Anyway, I hope you win this battle.
>
>Regards,
>Benedict
>

At this very moment, I am downlaoding contact labs from the EPA to have my
water tested for it.

[flupke]

TYNK 7 wrote:
>> Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>> From: "flupke"
>> Date: 3/22/2004 11:03 AM Central Standard Time
>> Message-id: >
>>
>>
>>
>> TYNK 7 wrote:
>>>> Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>>>> From: "flupke"
>>>> Date: 3/22/2004 10:02 AM Central Standard Time
>>>> Message-id: >
>>>>
>>>> TYNK 7 wrote:
>>>>> So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the
>>>>> last Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen
>>>>> algae (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
>>>>> Netmax, I know I asked you if you knew if it could come out of the
>>>>> tap. Well, I asked the hubby to research on the puter while I did
>>>>> my water changes on the tanks and he finds out that it CAN be in
>>>>> tap water and that most municipalities do NOT test for it.
>>>>> I have to call my water dept and the EPA Monday.
>>>>> Regardless of what our water dept. says, I'm going to have the EPA
>>>>> do a water test...no matter what it costs!
>>>>> In only 12 hours after the water change I had it growing aging.
>>>>> It has engulfed my Java Moss in the Betta tanks.
>>>>> Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java
>>>>> Moss. OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?
>>>>
>>>> Have you thought about adding algae eating fish? That is if the
>>>> betta tanks aren't very small.
>>>>
>>>> Benedict
>>>>
>>>
>>> Bluegreen algae (cyanobacteria) isn't algae. Algae eating fish
>>> aren't goig to eat it, as it's not algae, and is also toxic.
>>
>> Sorry, i misread your message. I didn't know this bacteria was toxic.
>>
>> I searched the web a bit and apparently these bacteria are the oldest
>> known fossiles. Some types of Cyanobacteria can survive extreme
>> conditions.
>> They can live in some plants like Azolla and can cause algaebloom
>> when there are a lot of nutrients in the water (Fe seems to play an
>> important role also) For instance, in the Baltic Sea they have algae
>> blooms because of this.
>> Some of them can produce toxines for instance the microcystis
>> bacteria
>> can produce microcystines which are a group of bepatotoxines.
>> That toxin is reported to be as toxic as cobra poison. These are
>> even hard to filter from water.
>>
>> Anyway, I hope you win this battle.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Benedict
>>
>
> At this very moment, I am downlaoding contact labs from the EPA to
> have my water tested for it.

From what i've read so far, i think it has to come from your tap water.
I think you made the right move to go for an extensive water test.

Benedict

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>From: (TYNK 7)
>Date: 3/22/2004 11:31 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>>From: "flupke"
>>Date: 3/22/2004 11:03 AM Central Standard Time
>>Message-id: >
>>
>>
>>
>>TYNK 7 wrote:
>>>> Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>>>> From: "flupke"
>>>> Date: 3/22/2004 10:02 AM Central Standard Time
>>>> Message-id: >
>>>>
>>>> TYNK 7 wrote:
>>>>> So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the
>>>>> last Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen
>>>>> algae (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
>>>>> Netmax, I know I asked you if you knew if it could come out of the
>>>>> tap. Well, I asked the hubby to research on the puter while I did my
>>>>> water changes on the tanks and he finds out that it CAN be in tap
>>>>> water and that most municipalities do NOT test for it.
>>>>> I have to call my water dept and the EPA Monday.
>>>>> Regardless of what our water dept. says, I'm going to have the EPA
>>>>> do a water test...no matter what it costs!
>>>>> In only 12 hours after the water change I had it growing aging.
>>>>> It has engulfed my Java Moss in the Betta tanks.
>>>>> Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java Moss.
>>>>> OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?
>>>>
>>>> Have you thought about adding algae eating fish? That is if the
>>>> betta tanks aren't very small.
>>>>
>>>> Benedict
>>>>
>>>
>>> Bluegreen algae (cyanobacteria) isn't algae. Algae eating fish aren't
>>> goig to eat it, as it's not algae, and is also toxic.
>>
>>Sorry, i misread your message. I didn't know this bacteria was toxic.
>>
>>I searched the web a bit and apparently these bacteria are the oldest
>>known fossiles. Some types of Cyanobacteria can survive extreme
>>conditions.
>>They can live in some plants like Azolla and can cause algaebloom
>>when there are a lot of nutrients in the water (Fe seems to play an
>>important role also) For instance, in the Baltic Sea they have algae blooms
>>because of this.
>>Some of them can produce toxines for instance the microcystis bacteria
>>can produce microcystines which are a group of bepatotoxines.
>>That toxin is reported to be as toxic as cobra poison. These are even hard
>>to filter from water.
>>
>>Anyway, I hope you win this battle.
>>
>>Regards,
>>Benedict
>>
>
>At this very moment, I am downlaoding contact labs from the EPA to have my
>water tested for it.
>

Oh I'm so mad I could spit nails!!!!
The EPA gave me this list. Well, I called many of them and none test for
Cyanobacteria, nor can they. I got such a bad headache from all the phone calls
I 've made today. I'm calling the EPA back tomorrow...also the Shedd Aquarium
in Chicago. Heck...the head aquarist may be able to do it himself for me.
This is just nuts, because if it's in our water supply, it's potentially
harmful to humans and nobody seems to care (I think because they don't know
what it is, or just think I'm crazy).

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>From: "flupke"
>Date: 3/22/2004 1:42 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>
>
>TYNK 7 wrote:
>>> Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>>> From: "flupke"
>>> Date: 3/22/2004 11:03 AM Central Standard Time
>>> Message-id: >
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> TYNK 7 wrote:
>>>>> Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>>>>> From: "flupke"
>>>>> Date: 3/22/2004 10:02 AM Central Standard Time
>>>>> Message-id: >
>>>>>
>>>>> TYNK 7 wrote:
>>>>>> So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the
>>>>>> last Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen
>>>>>> algae (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
>>>>>> Netmax, I know I asked you if you knew if it could come out of the
>>>>>> tap. Well, I asked the hubby to research on the puter while I did
>>>>>> my water changes on the tanks and he finds out that it CAN be in
>>>>>> tap water and that most municipalities do NOT test for it.
>>>>>> I have to call my water dept and the EPA Monday.
>>>>>> Regardless of what our water dept. says, I'm going to have the EPA
>>>>>> do a water test...no matter what it costs!
>>>>>> In only 12 hours after the water change I had it growing aging.
>>>>>> It has engulfed my Java Moss in the Betta tanks.
>>>>>> Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java
>>>>>> Moss. OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?
>>>>>
>>>>> Have you thought about adding algae eating fish? That is if the
>>>>> betta tanks aren't very small.
>>>>>
>>>>> Benedict
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Bluegreen algae (cyanobacteria) isn't algae. Algae eating fish
>>>> aren't goig to eat it, as it's not algae, and is also toxic.
>>>
>>> Sorry, i misread your message. I didn't know this bacteria was toxic.
>>>
>>> I searched the web a bit and apparently these bacteria are the oldest
>>> known fossiles. Some types of Cyanobacteria can survive extreme
>>> conditions.
>>> They can live in some plants like Azolla and can cause algaebloom
>>> when there are a lot of nutrients in the water (Fe seems to play an
>>> important role also) For instance, in the Baltic Sea they have algae
>>> blooms because of this.
>>> Some of them can produce toxines for instance the microcystis
>>> bacteria
>>> can produce microcystines which are a group of bepatotoxines.
>>> That toxin is reported to be as toxic as cobra poison. These are
>>> even hard to filter from water.
>>>
>>> Anyway, I hope you win this battle.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Benedict
>>>
>>
>> At this very moment, I am downlaoding contact labs from the EPA to
>> have my water tested for it.
>
>From what i've read so far, i think it has to come from your tap water.
>I think you made the right move to go for an extensive water test.
>
>Benedict

Me too! However, none of the labs will test for it. AH!!!!
That felt better.

[Happy'Cam'per]

So you're going to get extensive water tests done, then what?
Are you going to skip the country to try and find the perfect water supply??
Cyano has been around since the beginning of time, there's no way in hell
you're getting rid of the stuff. Sure its in your water, but the crux is
that you're giving it perfect living conditions. Its like other types of
Alga aswell, the spores are everywhere, they will take up residence if the
conditions are to their liking.

BGA can be overcome without the use of anti-biotics. Its a tedious battle
but it can be done IME. You have to keep up on the water changes to remove
DOC's as this could be adding to your problem. If its a planted tank then
throw in some NO3.
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**



"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
...
> >Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
> >From: (TYNK 7)
> >Date: 3/22/2004 11:31 AM Central Standard Time
> >Message-id: >
> >
> >>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
> >>From: "flupke"
> >>Date: 3/22/2004 11:03 AM Central Standard Time
> >>Message-id: >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>TYNK 7 wrote:
> >>>> Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
> >>>> From: "flupke"
> >>>> Date: 3/22/2004 10:02 AM Central Standard Time
> >>>> Message-id: >
> >>>>
> >>>> TYNK 7 wrote:
> >>>>> So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the
> >>>>> last Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen
> >>>>> algae (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
> >>>>> Netmax, I know I asked you if you knew if it could come out of the
> >>>>> tap. Well, I asked the hubby to research on the puter while I did my
> >>>>> water changes on the tanks and he finds out that it CAN be in tap
> >>>>> water and that most municipalities do NOT test for it.
> >>>>> I have to call my water dept and the EPA Monday.
> >>>>> Regardless of what our water dept. says, I'm going to have the EPA
> >>>>> do a water test...no matter what it costs!
> >>>>> In only 12 hours after the water change I had it growing aging.
> >>>>> It has engulfed my Java Moss in the Betta tanks.
> >>>>> Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java Moss.
> >>>>> OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?
> >>>>
> >>>> Have you thought about adding algae eating fish? That is if the
> >>>> betta tanks aren't very small.
> >>>>
> >>>> Benedict
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> Bluegreen algae (cyanobacteria) isn't algae. Algae eating fish aren't
> >>> goig to eat it, as it's not algae, and is also toxic.
> >>
> >>Sorry, i misread your message. I didn't know this bacteria was toxic.
> >>
> >>I searched the web a bit and apparently these bacteria are the oldest
> >>known fossiles. Some types of Cyanobacteria can survive extreme
> >>conditions.
> >>They can live in some plants like Azolla and can cause algaebloom
> >>when there are a lot of nutrients in the water (Fe seems to play an
> >>important role also) For instance, in the Baltic Sea they have algae
blooms
> >>because of this.
> >>Some of them can produce toxines for instance the microcystis bacteria
> >>can produce microcystines which are a group of bepatotoxines.
> >>That toxin is reported to be as toxic as cobra poison. These are even
hard
> >>to filter from water.
> >>
> >>Anyway, I hope you win this battle.
> >>
> >>Regards,
> >>Benedict
> >>
> >
> >At this very moment, I am downlaoding contact labs from the EPA to have
my
> >water tested for it.
> >
>
> Oh I'm so mad I could spit nails!!!!
> The EPA gave me this list. Well, I called many of them and none test for
> Cyanobacteria, nor can they. I got such a bad headache from all the phone
calls
> I 've made today. I'm calling the EPA back tomorrow...also the Shedd
Aquarium
> in Chicago. Heck...the head aquarist may be able to do it himself for me.
> This is just nuts, because if it's in our water supply, it's potentially
> harmful to humans and nobody seems to care (I think because they don't
know
> what it is, or just think I'm crazy).

[Andy Hill]

(TYNK 7) wrote:
>Well, I guess I have no choice but to toss it and buy new Java Moss.
>OR...will Erythormycin kill it and not the Moss?
>
Erythromycin won't bother Java Moss (or any other plant, for that matter). You
*do* need to monitor your biofilter, 'tho (i.e., test for Ammonia and Nitrites),
since any antibiotic is a potential problem for the biobugs.

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>From: "Happy'Cam'per"
>Date: 3/23/2004 2:36 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>
>So you're going to get extensive water tests done, then what?
>Are you going to skip the country to try and find the perfect water supply??
>Cyano has been around since the beginning of time, there's no way in hell
>you're getting rid of the stuff. Sure its in your water, but the crux is
>that you're giving it perfect living conditions. Its like other types of
>Alga aswell, the spores are everywhere, they will take up residence if the
>conditions are to their liking.
>
>BGA can be overcome without the use of anti-biotics. Its a tedious battle
>but it can be done IME. You have to keep up on the water changes to remove
>DOC's as this could be adding to your problem. If its a planted tank then
>throw in some NO3.
>--
>**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**
>

Excuse me,
*I* am not giving it perfect living condtions and I do weekly water changes.
Thanks for asking before assuming.
Our towns water supply has high levels of phosphate, which could be feeding it
too.
Please do not jump to the conclusion that I am not keeping up on my water
changes.
I've been seriously into the hobby for 26, and breeding Angelfish and Bettas
for 19.
I do know what I'm doing.
I too know that Cyano had been around since the dinosours. However, if it's in
a towns water suply it *can* be dangerous for humans, as well as livestock.

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>From: (TYNK 7)
>Date: 3/23/2004 5:49 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>>From: "Happy'Cam'per"
>>Date: 3/23/2004 2:36 AM Central Standard Time
>>Message-id: >
>>
>>
>>So you're going to get extensive water tests done, then what?
>>Are you going to skip the country to try and find the perfect water supply??
>>Cyano has been around since the beginning of time, there's no way in hell
>>you're getting rid of the stuff. Sure its in your water, but the crux is
>>that you're giving it perfect living conditions. Its like other types of
>>Alga aswell, the spores are everywhere, they will take up residence if the
>>conditions are to their liking.
>>
>>BGA can be overcome without the use of anti-biotics. Its a tedious battle
>>but it can be done IME. You have to keep up on the water changes to remove
>>DOC's as this could be adding to your problem. If its a planted tank then
>>throw in some NO3.
>>--
>>**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**
>>
>
>Excuse me,
>*I* am not giving it perfect living condtions and I do weekly water changes.
>Thanks for asking before assuming.
>Our towns water supply has high levels of phosphate, which could be feeding
>it
>too.
>Please do not jump to the conclusion that I am not keeping up on my water
>changes.
>I've been seriously into the hobby for 26, and breeding Angelfish and Bettas
>for 19.
>I do know what I'm doing.
>I too know that Cyano had been around since the dinosours. However, if it's
>in
>a towns water suply it *can* be dangerous for humans, as well as livestock.
>


*That was supposed to say "26 years in the hobby, and 19 breeding.
I've calmed down a bit now and just want to explain why I went off on you.
Assuming I don't keep up with water changes would be like a smacking me
smacking me in the face. You're going to get the same reaction.

[Eric Schreiber]

TYNK 7 wrote:

> So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the last
> Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen algae
> (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.


I may have missed it somewhere in the thread. If so, I apologize. I
know you're in my area, but what town exactly? No, scratch that. More
correctly, where does your water supply come from?

The reason I ask is that here in Joliet/Plainfield, our water comes
from wells, and has a nice bit of radium in it as a result. There has
been a lot of talk around here recently about switching to a river or
lake water source, since the water table is receding, and for some
reason people don't like to drink radioactive water.

I know you're a very experienced aquarist, and I get the impression
that this problem started rather suddenly. Is it possible that your
community has recently switched completely or partly to a new source?
Has there been any infrastructure work to your local supply lines that
you know of?

You're probably a lot better than I am at monitoring water parameters.
Do you happen to have any logs that show a recent change, something you
could wave in the face of some sanctimonious city clerk?


Possible steps you might consider to deal with the situation, assuming
the most likely case that the authorities won't be any help at all,
include U/V and RO filtration. Neither one is easy to implement if your
tanks aren't on a central filter system, and neither one is cheap.

--
www.ericschreiber.com

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>From: "Eric Schreiber" ericat ericschreiber dot com
>Date: 3/24/2004 1:44 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>TYNK 7 wrote:
>
>> So....I did my usual water change a week ago Saturday, before the last
>> Saturday's water change, the tanks started to grow Bluegreen algae
>> (Cyanobacteria). I haven't added anything.
>
>
>I may have missed it somewhere in the thread. If so, I apologize. I
>know you're in my area, but what town exactly? No, scratch that. More
>correctly, where does your water supply come from?
>
>The reason I ask is that here in Joliet/Plainfield, our water comes
>from wells, and has a nice bit of radium in it as a result. There has
>been a lot of talk around here recently about switching to a river or
>lake water source, since the water table is receding, and for some
>reason people don't like to drink radioactive water.
>
>I know you're a very experienced aquarist, and I get the impression
>that this problem started rather suddenly. Is it possible that your
>community has recently switched completely or partly to a new source?
>Has there been any infrastructure work to your local supply lines that
>you know of?
>
>You're probably a lot better than I am at monitoring water parameters.
>Do you happen to have any logs that show a recent change, something you
>could wave in the face of some sanctimonious city clerk?
>
>
>Possible steps you might consider to deal with the situation, assuming
>the most likely case that the authorities won't be any help at all,
>include U/V and RO filtration. Neither one is easy to implement if your
>tanks aren't on a central filter system, and neither one is cheap.
>
>--

Hey there Eric. I'm in Romeoville...and yes, we have the same nasty radium well
water.
For some reason the numnuts that run our town thought our water is far better
than Lake Michigan water. ::shakes head::, so they decided it wasn't a good
idea to switch, as did Bolingbrook and Plainfield (IL for folks who are already
lost).
I have found out from the foreman of the water dept (whenasking about the
phosphate levels) that they had recently switched around the amount of water
drawn from one well (as they repaired it), to another...one they usually only
draw a bit from is now a lot. Granted, there are more than these 2 wells....but
that was a red flag for me.
Our water dept. is sneaky and does NOT like town folk asking questions..wonder
why!
When we moved here 16 yrs ago I went to their office to get a copy of the most
recent water analysis.....I was greeted with suspicious looks and a
firm...."WHY?"
"I can't give you that information." Dunbfounded, I said but that's public
information Maam. I was then given the run around and told that I'd have to
talk to the foreman who wasn't there, of course.
I called the next day..was told he wasn't in. Called the next..same answer.
Asked when he'd be in..told after 3:30. Funny...they close at 3:30!!!
I called the next...was told he was in (hurray!), but was in a meeting and
couldn't be disturbed.
That was when I marched my butt down there, walked in and asked for him..was
told the same thing, but this time I said I'll wait here till he's done.
I sat there a good 45 minutes.
I told him what I had wanted and the trouble I was getting just for asking for
it.
Ya know what they guy tells me....."Well I don't know why they didn't give you
a copy, it's public information."
If I were a hair puller, I would have been bald at that point! lol
So I got the info....some of the toxin pages were missing, some were years old.
Now...16 yrs later, I asked for the phosphate level (via phone), and was
told...."I don't have that information, so I can't tell you." Once again, I
said it's a matter ofpublic information...then was told again that the only
person who has that info was the foreman. AH!!
I had to wait days till he called back. At first he acted like he was
suspicious about me asking for this..but I told him I just need to know because
of my fishtanks.
I don't drink our radium water anyway, but it's my fish's world and something
has changed drastically....and I need to know what, that's all.
I do not trust them one bit for any info, and what little they give you is like
pulling teeth to get it.
I haven't said a word to them about the Cyano until I get it tested. If it's in
there..then of course I will.
I'm guessing it's from this one well..which would be easily shut down if
contaminated.
However, until I have lab results, my mouth is shut to them. I don't want to
find my water shut off "by mistake" or some other "freak accident"...uh oh..I
sound like one of those paranoid freaks now..lol

[PurityFailed]

> I don't want to
>find my water shut off "by mistake" or some other "freak accident"...uh oh..I
>sound like one of those paranoid freaks now..lol

What it sounds like is that the Penguin's loose is Gotham again, IMHO.

I don't have any good advice to offer, since water chemistry to the extent it's
being discussed is toward the back of my to-study list, but humor? Maybe.
Next time you march down to that dratted office, just picture all of us
faceless posters snarling behind you. ;)

Good luck

Jessica
(Oh please let the tank cycle...)

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>From: (PurityFailed)
>Date: 3/24/2004 3:17 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>> I don't want to
>>find my water shut off "by mistake" or some other "freak accident"...uh
>oh..I
>>sound like one of those paranoid freaks now..lol
>
>What it sounds like is that the Penguin's loose is Gotham again, IMHO.
>
>I don't have any good advice to offer, since water chemistry to the extent
>it's
>being discussed is toward the back of my to-study list, but humor? Maybe.
>Next time you march down to that dratted office, just picture all of us
>faceless posters snarling behind you. ;)
>
>Good luck

Ok..getting a good visual going...

[IDzine01]

Wow Tynk. I just read this whole thread. It's crazy. IMO, you've been
pushed far enough to warrent contacting your local TV news station.
They EAT UP stories about bad town water and I wouldn't doubt if they
did the leg work for you. So long as you come across as some woman who
"discovered something strange" when caring for her beloved fish. (I
won't say "fishy", it's too easy a pun.)

If you're not one to stir up trouble, you could always bluff. "I'm
going to the press if I don't get the answers I'm looking for..."

Welp. Just a thought. Good luck!

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>From: (IDzine01)
>Date: 3/26/2004 2:10 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>Wow Tynk. I just read this whole thread. It's crazy. IMO, you've been
>pushed far enough to warrent contacting your local TV news station.
>They EAT UP stories about bad town water and I wouldn't doubt if they
>did the leg work for you. So long as you come across as some woman who
>"discovered something strange" when caring for her beloved fish. (I
>won't say "fishy", it's too easy a pun.)
>
>If you're not one to stir up trouble, you could always bluff. "I'm
>going to the press if I don't get the answers I'm looking for..."
>
>Welp. Just a thought. Good luck

I just got a call back from the United States EPA. She's going to do some
searching and find a lab for me to send some samples to. Hooray!
She said that she knew that Florida had a problem with it in their drinking
water and people had become sick...so somebody there knows a lab that tests for
it.....
The saga continues........
Eric...don't drink the water if ya come to one of the eateries in Romeoville!!
I wonder if the RO system will remove it or not?
We drink only RO water,as the tap water contains radium.
Anyone know if it will remove it?

[Eric Schreiber]

TYNK 7 wrote:

> Eric...don't drink the water if ya come to one of the eateries in
> Romeoville!!

I'll mention it to my sister, who lives there (and is also very
pregnant). For myself, I never touch the stuff. Not nearly enough
caffiene in water for it to have any appeal to me.

> I wonder if the RO system will remove it or not?
> We drink only RO water,as the tap water contains radium.
> Anyone know if it will remove it?

An RO system will eliminate radium? I didn't know that. It certainly
ought to remove bacteria. But if the chlorination from the city isn't
killing the stuff, who knows?



--
www.ericschreiber.com

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Starting to get freaked out or very mad.
>From: "Eric Schreiber" ericat ericschreiber dot com
>Date: 3/27/2004 1:29 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>TYNK 7 wrote:
>
>> Eric...don't drink the water if ya come to one of the eateries in
>> Romeoville!!
>
>I'll mention it to my sister, who lives there (and is also very
>pregnant). For myself, I never touch the stuff. Not nearly enough
>caffiene in water for it to have any appeal to me.
>
>> I wonder if the RO system will remove it or not?
>> We drink only RO water,as the tap water contains radium.
>> Anyone know if it will remove it?
>
>An RO system will eliminate radium? I didn't know that. It certainly
>ought to remove bacteria. But if the chlorination from the city isn't
>killing the stuff, who knows?

Eric, if your sister lives here...I strongly suggest you have her get an RO
system for her tap. All she needs to do is buy a little 2 gallon system that
will fit under her kitchen sink, it has a little spigot/faucet of it's own. We
had the type of sink that has the faucet, and a sprayer. Now, instead of the
sprayer, we have an RO faucet as well.
It doesn't look bad at all. I can take a pic and send it to you if you'd like.
The radium can affect infants, children, elderly and folks with any type of
immune deficiency first. Those are the ones who would become affected (it can
give you bone cancer), first. It can affect everyone else if you drink a lot,
over many years.
I know the town has been ordered by the EPA to change the system and to help
filter out the high radiu levels, but they're waiting till the last moment to
do it. (which sucks!) They've only known this for years already, and have till
2005 to get it done.
They're going to use some sort of RO filter and basically cut the water with
it.
They should have just changed over to Lake Michigan water.....but hey..we're
all just Pee - On's who should keep our mouths shut (the citizens who rallied
for it).
When we were first notified about the radium levels, I contacted the EPA and
was told that the only way to get it out of the water is by an RO unit. Other
than that, there's nothing else that will.
We got our little system at Sear's Hardware and it cost us nearly $300....but
have since seen the price go down a lot, and is now available at more places.
Back then, the only store that had it was the Sear's Hardware store. Have her
check around for a better price. There's even a 5g system if she needs a larger
one.
If she thinks it's not needed.....make it an early Christmas present. Our water
*will* affect everything when it comes to her baby, and or other children.
If the infant will drink formula....it's got to be made with water, if she
breast feeds...the water she puts into her body will go directly into her
breast milk.
Think about everything you use tap water to make. Coffee, Kool Aid, cooking
with it, drinking it, etc.
The kicker...the town doesn't send the warning letter to every household,
apartment, business or any of the schools.
However, in the letter it tells you that and to let others know who may not
have gotten a warning letter.
I want to move so bad. It's not the town....it's the water. It's no good for
us or my fish.
My family and my fish are everything to me. If the town's new filtering method
(a type of RO unit) isn't a whole lot better....that will be the last straw for
me.