Re: [Killietalk] cyanobacteria

["Robert Goldstein" <rgoldstein at rjgacarolina_com>]

It's true that killing cyanobacteria offers only temporary respite from the 
problem. You need to eliminate the cause of the problem, which is the 
accumulation of phosphates. Tanks with dense vegetation are less prone (but 
not immune) to blue-green algae infestations, so keeping lots of plants 
tends to hold the problem at bay. However, the only sure fire method of 
keeping blue-greens out altogether is water changes followed by water 
changes followed by more water changes. If phosphates (and other pollutants) 
are not allowed to build up, then problems are avoided. Again, the key 
nutrient and cause of blue green algae (cyanobacteria) is the buildup of 
phosphates.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Derek Parr" <derekparr at earthlink_net>
To: "killifish discussion list" <killietalk at aka_org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 11:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Killietalk] cyanobacteria


> Cyanobacteria is generally caused by a spike in ammonia.
>
> A few methods "non-extreme" methods that have worked for me in the past:
>
> Black out:  Cover tank in something completely opaque, such as many
> layers of garbage bags and/or cardboard boxes and duct tape.  Leave the
> lights off.  And wait for about 4-7.  Then do a lot of cleaning and
> water changing for the next couple weeks to keep the ammonia from
> spiking again as the plants and the system in general gets back into
> gear after not having had light for a bit.
>
> Also, your plants may not be doing their job of eating ammonia and such
> if they don't have the other nutrients/fertilizers that they need to
> grow and stay healthy.  That's a BIG subject, and I won't go into that.
>
> Another option, if the problem isn't too bad, is to keep cleaning the
> stuff off and out every other day (along with making sure your plants
> are getting the nutrients they need) until your plants are flourishing
> and the cyanobacteria does not return (a week or two).
>
> Although, I have used the Erythromycin method once.  And it definitely
> works very well.  But there are dangers in over use of antibacterial
> agents and the stuff ain't cheap.  Also, the cyano will just return in a
> month or two after the antibacterial agent dissipates if the causation
> (high ammonia and/or too much light) are not fixed.
>
> -derek parr
>
>
>
> Edd Kray wrote:
>> Success fighting this stuff (cyanobacteria) at last.
>>
>> I've found two methods.
>>
>> 1) (pretty extreme) A friend from the ALA recommended I empty the tank of
>> fish and plants and add one cup of bleach per ten gallons. Yup, it gets 
>> rid
>> of the cyanobacteria COMPLETELY in about five minutes. Let it sit that 
>> way
>> for a day and then change water, change water and change more water till 
>> the
>> bleach is gone. Of course you need to re-establish your now dead filter 
>> but
>> it got rid of the cyano'b and it hasn't come back. Take your sponge 
>> filter
>> out (I didn't) the bleach just destroys the foam they use in 
>> "Dirt-Magnets".
>>
>>
>> 2) Less extreme. On another tank, I used Maraycn (Erythromycin), one 
>> tablet
>> per ten gallons. Let sit 36 hours, then change 50% of the water and do
>> another dose. The tank is now clear of the ugly stuff and I didn't even 
>> have
>> to remove the fish and plants.
>>
>> Edd Kray
>>
>>
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