RE: [GSAS-Member] Algae control

["Paul M. Wallace" <pwallace@u.washington.edu>]

I agree that day length is not important.  I have also tried the "siesta" or
the broken light cycle and that did not seem to change much either.  It is
possible though that sunlight could be striking the tank and causing some
spot algae.  This seems to be the case when my tank receives direct
sunlight. 

-Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com
[mailto:gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of Mark Pearlscott
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2005 11:23 AM
To: Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat
Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] Algae control

I'm not sure that day length matters too much.  I have experimented in 
the past with short (8 hours) and long cycles (up to 16-18 hours)... and 
I didn't notice any discernible difference in plant or algae growth that 
I could attribute to a change in the light duration.  Now when I say 
discernible difference, I mean that I didn't see algae grow more/plants 
grow less, or vice versa.  Less light does equal less growth total.  MTC.

Mark P.

A JACOBSON wrote:

>Just a thought.  How long do you leave your bulbs on each day?  I've been
told that algae likes longer "days", so my tanks are on a strict 11 hour
timer.
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: John Ruhland<mailto:john@drruhland.com> 
>  To: Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member
chat<mailto:gsas-member@thekrib.com> 
>  Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 11:48 PM
>  Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] Algae control
>
>
>  Paul,
>  Thank you for your response.
>  It is a 72 gallon with many plants, 8 baby daffodil Brichardi (from 
>  Susan), and one Leporinus fasciatus, about 10 inches long.
>  pH 7.4
>  KH 80
>  GH 80
>  Nitrite, Nitrate, and ammonia have always been very low, usually not 
>  even measurable.
>
>  I have added small amounts of epsom salt in the past, and still add a 
>  small amount of rock salt, about 1 tbsp with every water change (about 
>  15-20 gallons).
>  I have also added SSKI (Iodine) and Oregon Grape Root extract (a 
>  powerful natural antibiotic I make), but this was some time, and 
>  numerous water changes, ago.
>  I added a multi vitamin (Kent Zoe), and buffered Vitamin C, and a very 
>  small amount of essential fatty acids (Kent Zoecon), but that was some 
>  time ago as well.
>  After a water change 2 times ago, all the small snails mysteriously 
>  died. That might hold the key to the problem. I did not use any new 
>  sponges, soaps, or any cleaning
>  materials. I've stopped using a small amount of Aquasafe that I had 
>  used in the past to remove the chlorine. I do not recall if I used 
>  Aquasafe at that water change two
>  times ago, although I think I did use it. Months ago I used Ichstop in 
>  that tank, the only other medicine I have used up until now.
>
>  Lighting began as twin 48" bulbs. Then I turned them off for over one 
>  day. Then I switched to a new light containing 4 65 watt twin tubes.
>  (My reading suggested changing lighting, either decreasing or 
>  increasing, could eliminate algae. It would probably require turning 
>  the lights off,
>  or even covering the tank, for three days to make a difference.) None 
>  of the light changes helped.
>
>  Let me know if any other info would be useful to know.
>  Regards,
>  John
>
>
>  On Mar 16, 2005, at 10:13 PM, Paul M Wallace wrote:
>
>  > John:
>  >
>  > It has been several years since I had green water(result of a pH down 
>  > product) and it seems that GW is aggravated by ammonia.  With that 
>  > said you probably have an imbalance of nutrients.  The good news is 
>  > that when balance is restored, the GW will go away.
>  >
>  > So I am curious about your water parameters.  How much light, are you 
>  > adding carbon or nutrients?
>  >
>  > -Paul
>  >
>  > In the past few weeks, I've had an algae problem as well. Rather than  
>  > coating any surfaces, it simply turns my water green. While it is a  
>  > pretty color, I am unable to see anything more than about 4-5 inches  
>  > from the glass. I've added two filters to the original filter. The  
>  > pleated paper filter that came with the Magnum canister filter, and  
>  > that I was told would turn water crystal clear, has not filtered out  
>  > anything, so it must be only a few microns in size. Besides the magnum 
>  >  filter, I have a Magnum HOT, and a Marineland Emperor with Bio-wheel. 
>  >  At first I changed the water every day or two and added a bit of 
>  > salt,  thinking that would slow the growth of algae, but since that 
>  > did not  show much improvement, I decided to wait it out. Any 
>  > recommendations  would be helpful. Anita recommended getting tiny 
>  > organisms that would  eat the algae.
>  >
>  > Fortunately, the fish seem to be doing alright.
>  > Thank you,
>  > John
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > It is the tank where I put most of the plants I got at the plant sale  
>  > as well.
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > _______________________________________________
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>
>
>  Dr. John F. Ruhland
>  The Natural Health Medical Clinic
>  4002 - 25th Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98108
>  206-723-4891
>  www.drruhland.com<http://www.drruhland.com/>
>
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