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Re: Black/Red Algae and Stress Coat
> I recently
> noticed that if I dump the Stress Coat on a rock, the algae turns bright
> red. Then a day or two later it is gone from that spot on the rock. I then,
> during the next water change, used 6 tablespoons of Stress Coat near a
> different rock and it happened again, only more so. I figure that either
> Stress Coat can discourage or kill this black/red algae or my current algae
> eaters find it much tastier. I think it is the former. Comments?
>
> Thanks..K.C.
Funny you should mention it! And funny someone should mention MelaFix
problems not 24 hours after I dosed one of my tanks with the stuff.
I had never previously had any problems resulting from MelaFix (which I
periodically use for my rainbowfish, who tend to develop post-injury
fungal/bacterial infections on their upper lips, after running headlong into
the glass). In hindsight, I have never used it in a tank which contained
fine-leaved plants. (Java fern, corkscrew val, crypt wendtii, and wisteria
weathered MelaFix treatments without any problems.)
Unfortunately, I have finally fingered MelaFix as the culprit in two recent
related mysteries - the sudden, catastrophic death of a) some ambullia which
had been doing quite well; b) BBA on a chunk of driftwood. I was really
starting to bemoan my aquatic husbandry - I mean, sure, I've killed plants
before, but who the heck kills BBA!?
Last night I sat down with my journal (always keep a journal, kids!) and
took a good, hard look. It had to have been the MelaFix - there's really no
other plausible option that I can see. Which is really too bad, as MelaFix
is one of the few additives/treatments I've ever used that genuinely works -
and fast - and relatively safely.
I have also previously never had much of a problem with BBA. Certainly not
to the extent that many people have experienced. Then again, I do
occasionally use StressCoat and MelaFix - not very often, mind you, but
perhaps just often enough to keep the BBA from getting a foothold.
BBA is such a common plague, it'd sure be nice to think that occasionally
adding a bit of StressCoat or MelaFix would take care of the problem.
Anyone else have empirical observations to add? Or willing to try dosing a
BBA-infested tank with StressZyme or MelaFix in the name of science? :)
- Erika