is this bga?

[houndour]

OK, it's got massively worse overnight in the 5 gallon. Can someone confirm whether or not this is bga? If it is I want to do the blackout starting tomorrow night.

 

[iggy01]

The pictures are a little blurry, but I would say that is definitely BGA.

Good luck with the blackout Sam!

 

[houndour]

The pictures are a little blurry, but I would say that is definitely BGA.

Good luck with the blackout Sam!

[snapback]883438[/snapback]​

Thanks Iggy. So is it more than likely that I infected my 5 gallon by putting the plants from infected 20 gallon in there? I am so mad at myself. I hope my glosso survives it...it's been growing really well.

 

[iggy01]

I'd be pretty certain that's how your 5 gallon got infected.

As Zig said in an earlier post it is often seen in tanks with low nitrates. Once it has been killed off it is vital that you keep nitrates at a decent level. If this isn't achieved your tank will become reinfected.

Good luck!

 

[houndour]

As Zig said in an earlier post it is often seen in tanks with low nitrates. Once it has been killed off it is vital that you keep nitrates at a decent level. If this isn't achieved your tank will become reinfected.

Well I've been dosing nitrates for about 3 weeks now in 20 gallon, but I already had the bga before that. It just got really bad over the last 2 weeks. Gutted about 5 gallon though. Is it only low nitrates that are the cause? does high light etc encourage the growth? Because I notice it gets really bad on the surface of the water (where theres less surface agitation).

You know how test kits arent accurate...could a reading of 5ppm potentially be a reading of zero? I would have thought if readings were zero, then the test solution wouldn't change colour at all no matter how inaccurate the kit was.

 

[zig]

Hi Sam

From the picture of the Glosso it looks like BGA, although it is a bit blurry, i think you have hit the nail on the head, you will get bga from either low nitrates (thats how i think you got it origionally in the 20 gallon) or in areas of your tank with poor water circulation, but the fact you introduced the bga to the tank i think the low surface circulation is exagerating it on the surface not the cause of it, i think having it on the surface is another sign it is definatly bga, this is quite common.

But the good news is the blackout will work, and in that way you will see very good results quite soon and it should eliminate it from both tanks and pretty much get you started again afresh.

 

[iggy01]

You know how test kits arent accurate...could a reading of 5ppm potentially be a reading of zero? I would have thought if readings were zero, then the test solution wouldn't change colour at all no matter how inaccurate the kit was.

[snapback]883455[/snapback]​

Anythings possible with the test kits we use. Their reliability is questionable at best. I asked a question in the Chit Chat section a couple of months ago, asking LFS workers what test kits they use at work. I don't know why, but I was expecting them to say they used top of the range kits like Hach or Lamotte. The ones that replied said they use the same off the shelf ones as the rest of us.

Chances are, if you get your water tested at your LFS, you are just as likely to get a false reading. I think this is one of Tom Barr's main points with EI and not needing test kits. Nitrate test kits aren't as reliable as your own eyes.

 

[houndour]

Sorry gonna have to post these separately...

Tank before cleaning:

 

[houndour]

I've started the course of maracyn today. Fingers crossed. I spent _ages_ sifting through the sand trying to get all the bga out.

Tank after cleaning:

 

[zig]

Holy lamb that first picture is impressive......what a mess, you did a great job cleaning it, im sure it will work for you, keep us up to date.

 

[George Farmer]

Definitely BGA and what an infestation! Never seen one as bad as that.

I hope the Maracyn does the trick for you Sam - best of luck.

 

[OIJ]

Can you get this Ethyromycine in any other name than Maracyn? For example from Sera, Seachem or Tetra? Those are the brands that are in my market.

Otherwise gf225. Could you send me one of those 99 ½ tablets?

 

[George Farmer]

Can you get this Ethyromycine in any other name than Maracyn? For example from Sera, Seachem or Tetra? Those are the brands that are in my market.

Otherwise gf225. Could you send me one of those 99 ½ tablets?

[snapback]901010[/snapback]​

Unfortunately in the UK and other countries (not sure in Iceland) Ethyromycine is a presciption only antibiotic. For this reason your common aquatic manufacturer's won't supply it. This where I got mine, not sure if they ship to Iceland.

http/www.inhousepharmacy.co.uk/generics/erythromycin.html

 

[houndour]

how long before I see a noticeable decline in BGA?

After 1 day the bga is back on the surface of the sand and on the babytears and glosso.

I put the 2nd dose in last night and tried to mix the sand up a bit.

After the 5 days do you think I should attempt another 3 day blackout? I just wanna make sure I kill this thing.

 

[OIJ]

So you can buy it in a pharmacy if you have a prescription? I have a slight sign of BGA and I lowered the light mass and light period considerably. I also decided to reduce all injection of nutrients. Should I do something different? This seems to keep it down.