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Re: Blue-green Algae
Dean Sliger says...
><< Why does the water lettuce that I have in all 4 of my tanks grow blue
> green algae at the base of the root structure? It doesn't seem to be
> spreading beyond this small area. >>
>
>Tim, I have had this same problem in the past both with water lettuce, water
>hyacinth, and salvinia. Not sure why it happens, but it's a dickens to clear
>up! Perhaps it's from these plants collecting nitrogen and other "stuff" in
>their roots?
If you'd like some unqualified speculation, my guess is that the area
about the roots of these plants is less oxygenated than other spots
in the tanks. This is because the submersed plants are pumping oxygen
into the water column in their immediate vicinity while the floaters expel
their oxygen into the air. They may also be creating an environment that
facilitates nutrient availability about the roots.
I've noticed the same phenomenon. How much circulation do you have in
the tanks?
--
Dave Whittaker
ac554 at FreeNet_Carleton.ca