RE: [GSAS-Member] Algae control

["Hess, Clay A" <clay.a.hess@boeing.com>]

Hmmmm, so, here is another one I could not resist.  Soooo,if we use the
supposition that, less light does slow plant growth....one would expect
that more light speeds plant growth.  If you look at algae as a plant,
then, light would have some impact on the growth rate of algae in
theory.  From my own tanks I have seen this.  Yes, plants grow slower in
a low light tank......and if that tank is prone to algae, the algae will
grow slower too....but, it still grows.  The problem comes about when
the slow growing algae still outgrows the slow growing plants.
Similarly, algae will grow faster in a higher light tank, as will your
desired plants.  So, which grows faster?  

The point being, I believe Mark is correct in stating that day length
does not matter so long as your tank is in balance to begin with (ie,
the desired plants are outgrowing the algae).  If your tank is out of
balance to start and the algae is outgrowing the plants, then, more
light will only make this effect worse in theory, and in my own playing
around I have seen this too.

Where is Eric in all of this.....he has loads of plant experience
too......more data please.

Clay

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Pearlscott [mailto:mark@pearlscott.com] 
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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>  >
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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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