[Prev][Next][Index]
Re: Aquatic Plants Digest V1 #15
-
To: Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
-
Subject: Re: Aquatic Plants Digest V1 #15
-
From: Eric Schoville <schovill at expert_cc.purdue.edu>
-
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 1995 11:09:05 -0500 (EST)
-
In-Reply-To: <199504130739.DAA30476 at looney_actwin.com> from "Aquatic-Plants-Owner at actwin_com" at Apr 13, 95 03:39:02 am
>
> From: Erik Olson <olson at phys_washington.edu>
> Date: Wed, 12 Apr 1995 19:51:54 -0700 (PDT)
> Subject: Hair Algae + CO2 Regulator
>
> > From: Eric Schoville <schovill at expert_cc.purdue.edu>
>
> > I am having somewhat of a problem in my 75 gallon plant tank.
> > Unfortunately, Spyrogyra or another type of hair algae got
> > introduced from a plant from a pet store. I've had it now for
> > about two months. It hasn't taken over my tank, and it has
> > been pretty easy to scrape off the glass, but it is still
> > unsightly and I have been looking for a fish that will eat it.
>
> Describe the algae in more detail, please. Usually hair algae refers to
> long stringy bright green stuff that mainly gets TANGLED in plants. You
> can remove it like spaghetti with a fork. (I have also heard
> unsubstantiated rumors that barbs will eat it). If your stuff grows
> on the glass, it sounds like something else (maybe Red Brush Algae).
> Does it grow in tufts? Is it dark? What color?
No, It is green and is very stringy. I don't however notice it on the plants
with the exception of the Giant Val. It also doesn't seem to grow very fast
which I think is due to the large water changes I make. An earlier post
asked about my phosphate/nitrate level. Both are low, due to 60% water
changes done weekly. It is also possible that my farawella, whiptail cat,
plecostomus, and/or ghost shrimp consume some of the growth.
Also, several posters have said that my substrate of potting soil could
be influencing this algae growth. I beleive that this is entirely possible,
because after a week, the tank takes a slight greenish tint to it which
I assume is free floating algae. This is one reason that I make large
water changes, and it helps immensely.
I am changing apartments in June, and have thought about going to sand.
I would also be interested in using laterite as a base, but am unsure of
where to obtain it for a reasonable price. Also, what type of sand do
you use? Is silica sand or the play sand used at hardware stores acceptable?
Eric Schoville
schovill at expert_cc.purdue.edu