[APD] RE: Reducing/controlling algae

["Steve Coach" <steve at stevecoach_com>]

Strategies for coping with algae:

Lower phosphates to .5 and keep nitrates down to 10.0. Install an in-line UV
sterilizer to keep a handle on the algae. The UV light will also tend to
clump algae together making it easier for your filter system to remove it
from the water column. Lower lighting levels if you can do it without a
detrimental effect on your plants. If you can safely increase you acidity
(say to around 6.8, or even 6.6) it will tend to discourage algae. Also,
lighting that is 5,000k is less inclined to promote algae than lighting that
is 6,500k. Avoid direct (and indirect) sunlight. Try using a fish-safe algae
reducing (non-chemical) product such as Algone (check the Internet). The
pouches come in 2 sizes. The larger size is the better buy. It is for tanks
larger than 60 gallons, costs about 25% more, but contains about 3 times as
much produce (according to the company). One pouch will work on your tank
for 2 weeks, then replace it with another pouch. You should see an
appreciable difference within a few weeks (2 or 3 max).

Algae problems tend to be directly linked to ambient residual nutrient
levels in the water column, so try increasing your water changes (either
increase the amount changed, or the frequency of changes). Also, if you can
do it without harm to your fish, cut back on the amount of food in their
feedings. A company called ChlorFree (can be found on the Internet) has an
aquarium product that will take care of algae. It cannot be used in tanks
with "scaleless" fish. It is a scientifically designed amalgam of some 4
different materials (including specific percentages of specific metals) that
very slowly ionizes your water over time. It is shaped like a little coil
and drops right into your filter medium. It keeps bacteria and algae from
being able to multiply so they will eventually just decline to almost zilch.
Panasonic, the electronics people, also make a line of aquarium products --
one of which reduces nitrate in the water column. Nitrate is a chief
component that drives algae. The product is called Amteclean-N (phosphate
reducer is Amteclean-P). I have no idea where to find these products. If you
find a source, let me know. Their Amteclean-N uses coconut and rapeseed oil
and is non-toxic to plants and fish.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Earnest Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: aquatic-plants-bounces+steve=stevecoach_com at actwin.com
[mailto:aquatic-plants-bounces+steve=stevecoach_com at actwin.com]On Behalf
Of James Hogan
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2004 8:05 PM
To: aquatic-plants at actwin_com
Subject: [APD] Black brush algae


I have the same algae in my tank and its starting to cover everything
started with a piece of wood and now covers all the wood and rocks in the
tank, i can keep it from growing on the glass by scraping but its hard to
get off.
i don't really mind it growing onthe rocks because it makes a good carpet
that sways in currents and actually looks good, the only problem is that its
now covering my java fern and starting to grow on my swords.
anyone know how to controll this without SAE's or other livestock as i keep
piranha and they would eat anything else i added to this tank.
thanks

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