Problems With Bga (cyanobacteria)

[chrisdoesntmiss]

I am having trouble ridding myself of BGA and do not fancy dosing the tank with Erythromycin.

Steps I have already taken

Removed as much as I can find from the Substrate using a syphon hose.
Added Siamese Algae Eaters and Otocinclus to remove any other algae, therefore increasing the alleopathic concentration from the plants over algaes.
Performed 10% water changes everyday
Added Higher C02 dosing to fully encourage plant growth.
Added 30 malaysian trumpet snails to turn over the substrate and chew through any detritus.

I also tried covering the tank with a blanket for three days to kill it off but to no avail.

Any other ideas would be great.

Chris

 

[fishstick]

I also had trouble with BGA. I noticed that it occured where the waterflow was lightest- ie- in my Vision 180 in the lower right hand corner. It went by itself after a while, I didn't use any chemicals but kept syphoning it out. Don't despair!

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

Thanks for your help.

I have a pure peat substrate and there is the problem that it will just continue to grow its way through.

Does anyone know what the main causes of this are?

I usually dose the tank with fertiliser once a week and change 1 pint of water a day.

 

[RadaR]

What's the lighting?(colour temp too)
What brand of trace?
Are there many fast growers in there?

Sorry about all the questions but with more info we can help

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

What's the lighting?(colour temp too)
What brand of trace?
Are there many fast growers in there?

Sorry about all the questions but with more info we can help

There are 2x Sun-Glo 4200k tubes and 1x Power-Glo 18000K
Tetra AquaPlant Florapride fertilisers 1x dosing per week 5ml per 10 gallons at water change
Only fast grower is cobomba but the echnodorus grows exceptionally quickly.

Chris

 

[JamesC]

I also tried covering the tank with a blanket for three days to kill it off but to no avail.

A 3 day blackout will kill it for sure. The reason why it probably hasn't in your case is that light got into the tank. You really do have to make sure that you use thick covers and bin liners, and block up every possible hole where light could get in.

Take a look at http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

James

 

[dave_gray2077]

I am currently suffering a BGA break out in the front of my tank were there are no plants.

I have been following the black out method on jamesc’s web page and after 2 days the outbreak has been reduced by about 60%. I have simply wrapped my tank in 2 layers of bin bags.


I am currently suffering a BGA break out in the front of my tank were there are no plants.

I have been following the black out method on jamesc’s web page and after 2 days the outbreak has been reduced by about 60%. I have simply wrapped my tank in 2 layers of bin bags.

 

[JamesC]

I have been following the black out method on jamesc’s web page and after 2 days the outbreak has been reduced by about 60%. I have simply wrapped my tank in 2 layers of bin bags.

Not being funny but how do you know it has been reduced by 60%? You mustn't let any light get in the tank for 3 days - no peeking and no feeding.

James

 

[2pods]

Some people use overdoses of Seachem "Excel".

Whether this is true or the Bga just goes on its own, I'm not sure but it worked for me.

YMMV

Peter

 

[RadaR]

What's the lighting?(colour temp too)
What brand of trace?
Are there many fast growers in there?

Sorry about all the questions but with more info we can help

There are 2x Sun-Glo 4200k tubes and 1x Power-Glo 18000K
Tetra AquaPlant Florapride fertilisers 1x dosing per week 5ml per 10 gallons at water change
Only fast grower is cobomba but the echnodorus grows exceptionally quickly.

Chris

Ok.
Id say you should add more fast growers (there is a list in the algae pinned topic), dose twice a weak and dose 10ppm nitrate once a week (after every water change). All of this should be done after a 3day black out with a before and after water change.

 

[George Farmer]

Treatment that works IME.

1. Remove as much BGA as possible
2. Clean filter
3. 50% water change
4. 72 hour total blackout, no CO2, add airstone/increase surface agitation to be safe if you have large fish load.
5. Clean filter
6. 50% water change

Preventative actions -

Increase circulation in areas where BGA is active.
Block light to substrate from glass. I use black tape. BGA starts from the substrate IME and relies on light to grow.
If you have low NO3 (<10ppm) then consider dosing KNO3. BGA thrives in lower NO3 conditions IME.

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

Just an update - Since removal of all visible BGA infestations it seems to have subsided. Have just got home and there appears to be no reproduction as yet. I performed a scrape of the glass using my finger and a syphon controlled expertly by my fiancee to remove as much as possible, including a 1 inch zone, to be on the safe side, of the substrate (peat). And dropping all the snails i could find on the infected area.

I am still going to perform the blackout with an airstone in there just to give it a final boost. There is very limited daylight where the tank is situated which is wonderful for me.

Chris

I will keep all of you posted of the progress.