RE: [AGA Member] Blue-green algae

["william ruyle" <inquartata@comcast.net>]

Wendy wrote:
Not long after reading Diana Walstad's book, I acquired another 20 gallon
high and decided to set it up as a no-tech tank, since my 5-gallon is doing
so well.  I used a fine sand sold for children's sand boxes, rich Kentucky
clay soil that has not seen chemical fertilizer in at least 8 years,
probably longer,  a layer of boiled peat atop the soil, topped off with
sand.  The tank sits in a NE-facing window, and has one T8 sunlight bulb.
It is populated with 6 male guppies, 4 German Rams, 4 adult Glow light
tetras plus 3 juveniles, and 3 Otocinclus. The water is treated with
homemade peat extract to maintain pH around 6.8.
Nitrates are below the limit of detection and all the fish appear to be in
excellent health.

Wendy,
I would not use erythromycin at all but if you do, please find temporary
quarters for the fish. I feel your pain, having been there myself, and
suggest
you redo your substrate: the fine sand is working like an occlusive patch
over
a lot of organics (clay, peat) which is causing the problem. Use a much
coarser
sand mixed with profile or similar material to provide a looser substrate.
If
nitrates like you said are below detection, the lighting is adequate,
overfeeding
and overfertilization is not going on, then oxygen deficiency is suspect.
Using
erythromycin is a nice bandaid, but not definitive tx. Check the krib and
apd
archives for a whole passel of info on this subject.

Good luck,

Bill


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