Yet another red hair algae thread

[tankslave]

I have a Hach and the scale goes to .01, but that doesnt mean its accurate to that level. Unless you get it tested professionally, you're just guessing that second decimal place.

I dont even really test for PO4 anymore, cuz I never see any algae in my tank. If there's algae in my tank, I dont need a test kit to tell me there's phosphate in the water...

 

[physicslord]

Here's a test I would like to see:

Take a fresh bucket of homemade saltwater being careful not to dip your hands into the water. Just use something to stir it up. Test it for phosphate (should be about 0 ppm).

Then go wash your hands in the sink with softsoap (or your favorite brand). Then without touching anything come back to the fresh bucket and dip your hands into the water a half dozen times.

Stir the water and then test for phosphate again.
How much will it have risen? I've always wondered but I don't have a very precise kit.

 

[GTR]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7559497#post7559497 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tankslave
I have a Hach and the scale goes to .01, but that doesnt mean its accurate to that level. Unless you get it tested professionally, you're just guessing that second decimal place.

I have confidence the Hanna is accurate at these levels since it's repeatable and mirrors what I see happening in the tank when the levels exceed .02.

SteveU

 

[Fmellish]

Tonight was most serendipitous!

Robert Fenner was at my local club meeting tonight giving a presentation on algaes, (cyano included). Did you know cyano is classified as a blue-green algae even though it's color is red? He sat with me after to work with me on my cyano. Imagine, meeting an industry legend and he sits down to talk to you about a problem you're having. How cool is that?

http://fmellish.shackspace.com/aquarium/

Josh

 

[pledosophy]

You can't just post that and not tell us all what he said. It is just cruel.

 

[Fmellish]

It was a long presentation and then a long chat. Many things were covered. He went over many different types of algaes and all about their characteristics and how they are classified.

There is no quick solution for how to deal with nuisance algae, (cyano). Algae is always present and you want algae. The nuisance algaes must be kept under control by promoting the growth of non nuisance algaes and controlling nutrients.

I will be keeping my lights off tomorrow, he said going a day or two without lights will kill the cyano. Then I will do a large water change and try to siphon up most of the dead algae. Then I will do whatever I can to promote the growth of non nuisance macro algae, including improving water parameters, and keeping my chaeto light on longer. He said caluerpa was the best macro algae to grow as it eats up nutrients and is not very toxic for the tank, but caluerpa is illegal right now. Apparently its illegal to import it.

I will need to do water changes once a week until I get the cyano under control. I am also going to run a phosphate remover media for a few days. Coincidentally enough, the other presenter tonight was a guy promoting his new phosphate remover media so he gave everyone free bottles.

Obviously there is more to this. I'm just summarizing some of the points I can remember. I'm tired anyway. Need to sleep.

Cheers
Josh




Cheers
Josh

 

[pledosophy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7576990#post7576990 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fmellish
he said going a day or two without lights will kill the cyano.

Gee where did you hear that first

If you want some caulphera I know of a guy who is in this alley , or you could just PM me. I have green grape, prolifera, and some red grape. Not a ton but enough to get you started.

 

[NicoleC]

Josh, I have a rock in my fuge I missed when I was banning caulerpa from my tank. It's got a small starter of razor caulerpa on it. You are welcome to it, if you want. And it's a legal species.

It also has some encrusting coral on it, but the coral seems to be happier in the fuge anyway.

 

[Fmellish]

Thanks Nicole. For the short term, I'm going to see how far I can get with cheato and sargasium. I think that's what its called. it's like kelp I have a lot of it.

I just spent the morning blowing and siphoning out water. The sand bed looks white again, and i pulled out the filter sock and replaced it. The filter sock looked like a hairy red hornets nest.

I'm going to not turn the lights on until either tomorrow or Monday. Hopefully my corals will forgive me.

It looks good though for the time being.

i'll let you guys know how it goes.


Thanks
Josh

 

[GTR]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7576990#post7576990 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fmellish
Coincidentally enough, the other presenter tonight was a guy promoting his new phosphate remover media so he gave everyone free bottles.

Josh, Who was the "Guy" and what was the product?

Thanks,
SteveU

 

[Fmellish]

I don't remeber his name. Sharkdude would know. He was there to promote an stress remover for acclimation, and a phosphate remover, (PhosAr).

Josh

 

[NicoleC]

Was it John from Warner Marine?

 

[WarDaddy]

Yes Nicole, that is the Guy. Nice guy.

 

[Fmellish]

Nicole, how come you never come to the meetings?

Josh

 

[NicoleC]

A geriatric cat who needs meds, a geriatric dog who needs meds, and baby fish that need feeding... by the time I get home from work and handle all the special needs animals, the meetings are half over.

 

[Fmellish]

You should become a vet. Then you can get paid for that stuff!