On Dec 25, 5:14*pm, "Reel McKoi" wrote:
"AquariumFatasies" wrote in message

...

(Brevity snips)

Its simple RM.Proper bulbs + proper reflectors + correct lighting
schedule+ proper water parameters = better aquatic plants and less
algae.

* It's not so simple Roy when I still have no idea which would be the proper
bulbs under my conditions. Lighting schedule can be changed with no problem,
but even with 2 hours a day less lights, the algae is still thriving. *I
can't humanely keep the water any cleaner short of daily massive changes.
The next step would be some kind of flow-through system which is impossible.
I'm now diluting the water almost half with rain water and that made no
difference (making it softer and less alkaline). *Plants are the best
quality that I can find locally. Within days there's a coating of algae on
them.

For plants to thrive a nd flourish, they need a given spectrum of
light,, algae for the most part as you stated can thrive in most any
light condition. .but a plant can not.

* This is true.

Provide that plant with proper
parameters and light, and it makes less of everything else available
to grow algae............youjust have to find the right combination of
each to fit your tanks situation........

* In all honesty I can't afford to start buying bulbs ($10 to $15 and up) in
the hopes I'll be lucky and hit the one or a combination of bulbs that
works. *I do follow most of what you explained but still don't know which to
buy. The water lettuce thrives under these lights as does the Canadian pond
weed, vals, hornwart and anubias.... but so does this *&^%$#@ algae.

but starting with lights and
reflectors is the first step *I would go for.

* But which lights for my conditions? *That's the question. *There are so
many out there your head can spin reading all the information and available
wattage's, Lumens etc. *As for buying or making 3 or 4 bulb reflectors.
That's not an option at this time. *My husband has no interest in my
aquarium hobby so I'm pretty much on my own.
--

RM....
.
Zone 6. *Middle TN USA
~~~~ *}((((* *~~~ * }{{{{(ö

Carol.I forgot about this method, as its been a long time since I did
it, but if you want to knock out the dreaded black algae and do it
relatively quickly use hydrogen peroxide. Black algae (type that
literally covers plants leaves etc) can not handle any kind of
oxidizers........(potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide are two
such oxidizers) Get a 99 cent bottle of HydrogenPeroxide of ther
normally available 3% type, and fill a 50 or 60 cc syringe (less
needle) with it. Lacking a large syringe you can use smaller 10 or 5
cc syringes but you'll have to fill and refill the syringe a lot more
times. You can probably also use a turkey baster. HP will also kill a
few forms of other algae as well but will not hurt multiple celled
plants or any fish..........

Anyway fill the syringe and then flow HP out by slowly depressing
plunbger to allow it to flow around and on the leaves of affected
plant. Bubbles will start to form almost within a few seconds or
so...and the black willstart to disentegrate and be killed in the
process.........You may need ot use 150 to 200 cc (ML) of HP and that
is not a problem, in a tank of even 20 gal capacity. The bubbles are
nothing more than oxygen filled and the only by product formed with HP
is oxygen and water......neigher of which is harmfull to a
fish.Remember HP is used to counter act a PP treatment so you already
know its harmless to fish if its not over done and 150-200 in a 20 is
not a problem................If more is needed wait a day or two and
reapply another 150-200 cc of HP to affected area. Yuo can apply it
directly in the water column as well but it takes a lot longer than
direct application to an affected plant. I would however remove as
much or many leaves of a black alagae covered plant as feasible, if
its really really bad, but even remmving the elaves is not really
necessary if your willing to dose a few times with direct application
as the plant will clean up just fine and kill the algae in the
process...........of course yiou can always use PP, but it is much
riskier when used in a fish tank among tropical fish than in a koi /
goldie pond or tank........