Ridding My Tank Of Bga

[Underwurlde]

A recent thread has resulted in one suggestion to rid my tank of BGA and that is the use of an anti-bacterial called Ethyromycine (trade name - Maracyn).

However I am concerned that adding this to my tank will also kill off the friendly Ammonia eating bacteria in my Blue filters (that has taken months to colonize)!!

Am I right in thinking this or do you guys think it will be OK to add


Andy

 

[voo]

I've never heard of using that to remove BGA. I cant see how an anti bacterial can help something that isnt caused by bacteria...

 

[xoedusk]

If it would help, it would only be temporary. The Blue-Green Algae would just grow back. I would look into what exactly is causing the algae growth and try to stop it like that.

 

[Underwurlde]

@voo: My other thread being...
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=166298

From which I quote:

Sounds like you have cyanobacteria (also called Blue Green Algae)

There are two main methods to treating BGA. The first is a blackout. Cover the tank completely; do not let any light in at all. Wait for 3 days, no peeking or feeding the fish, then uncover, hopefully the BGA will have disappeared. I have not personally used this method but I am assured it works (except for Houndour�s case � sorry Sam).

The second is by using antibiotics. Remember that BGA is bacteria. Ethyromycine (trade name - Maracyn) is commonly used to rid BGA. It is also highly effective and is apparently fish and plant safe. The whole tank is normally treated via mixing the drug with the tank water. Dosage - 200mg per 10 US Gallon every day for five consecutive days.

I have read in many other places also that Maracyn will rid a tank of BGA.

My other concern is that this product may also kill the freindly Ammonia eating bacteria in my blue filters, but no one has been able to comment on this.

@xoedusk: Agreed, but I do not know the source of the problem, but I am guessing that I need more plants. ...


Thanks again,

Andy

 

[cs091]

Blackout for 3 days got rid of mine, but after about a month it came back. It's not as bad as it was and I keep clearing it off to try to keep it under control.

I used baco foil - no light was getting through that!

I've added stacks more plants, including hornwort which is supposed to have anti bacterial properies.

Like you I'm unwilling to mess with my filter bacteria. I don't want to use the sledgehammer approach unless thing get desperate.

I've got hair algae as well - hopefully new japonica shrimp will deal with that.

CS

 

[Underwurlde]

@cs091,

Thanks for your reply, sounds like you have (had) the same problems as me.

Now my turn to help you out as a way of a heads-up on keeping Japonica Shrimp...

I have had 4. Every single one (on different occations) has escaped my tank & yes, my tank incorporates a hood. Only 1 has survived (he had crawled about 5 meters across my carpet before I spotted him).

As escapologists, they put Harry Houdini to shame. Make sure if you are keeping them that your water conditions are tip-top, and that it is covered and ALL holes blocked (e.g. mains cable holes etc). I taped all holes up with electrical tape.

The 1 shrimp that did escape did so AFTER I discovered shirmp like to go walkabout and I had taped all the holes up - he got out during a water change & it was pure luck that I spotted him try to crawl across my hall way! I think they may be a bit like moths and are attracted to lights.

Andy