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Okay, I've gotten a handle on the BGA in the tank, but the staghorn is taking off. Suggestions?

Last edited by Adam at 13-Dec-2004 15:28

Hi,
By Stag Horn, I assume you mean the filament, or hair
algae.
Check out this site:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PlantedTksSubWebIndex/algcontags.htm

For how to resolve the problem.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Wow, that sure was a fast reply. Thanks.

Cup, if you are having the algae problem in a heavily planted tank, IME CO2 helps with certain types of algea, including the beard/hair/staghorn algae. Though I am still actively battling my algea, increasing the CO2 to about 15 ppm has made a visual difference.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Actually Frank, that site doesn't give much information on Staghorn algae. I've had the staghorn algae in my tank and it is a bit of a pain to get rid off, because it grows in situations where you don't have an excess of nitrates, like most algae, but where some nutrients are missing. It often also seems to be accompanied by an excess of phosphates. In my case I was told to try several things, which in the end helped me get rid of the algae. My test showed a low amount of nitrates so I first tried adding nitrates, this did not really help, but in stead gave me other algaes as well, after getting a more sensitive test it showed nitrate levels around 10, which is fine. I was then suggested to lower the light period of the tank to about 6 hours and then do a 40% water change every third day. After a week I slowly started to increase the light period again and the staghorn disappeared completely.

I hope this was of some help
Good luck
Martin

So, I guess my only option is reducing the photoperiod, eh? I do daily 25% water changes already + just replaced the CO2 mix a week ago.

Hi,
Actually, if you read what I wrote you will note that
I was, by inference, unaware of a "Staghorn Algae" and
said that by staghorn algae, I assume you mean.....

Here is a site that addresses specifically, Staghorn
Algae, and others.

http://www.otocinclus.com/articles/algae.html

Now, I too know something called Staghorn algae actually
exists. Thanks for the information.

BTW, congratulations on the new title.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I always thought that staghorn algae WAS beard/hair algea, my mistake.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Yeah, the staghorn algae is weird stuff, I had never heard or seen it before either. When the first strands of it appeared in my tank I thought it looked kind of interesting, almost a bit like polyps. When it grew completely out of control I didn't like it at all anymore and had some hard times getting rid of it. I still don't know what exactly was the most effective, the reduced light, the water changes, change of food (I switched from flake food to red mosquito larvae and some pellets) or the addition of CO2. But eventually the staghorn algae disappeared. Cup, I'd suggest you have your tank water thoroughly tested at a good LFS with the right equipment, especially have your phosphate levels checked out as according to the guy who told me how to get a handle on the staghorn, elevated phosphate levels are one of the main indicators for staghorn. you may have to fertilize with other elements as well, maybe iron is low, or possibly potassium levels are low. Personally I nowadays fertilize with something called Easy-Life Profito, which I order from Germany, but I'm sure that in the USA you will be able to find a similar mixture which contains everything plants need except phosphates and nitrates.

I'm sure you will be able to get the overhand on the algae Oh and Frank, thanks for the congrats

Phosphates, bingo. It must be the phosphates. I've had bad experiences with BGA as previously stated, and the cause seems to have been from excess phosphates. I'll look into those phosphate removers. Thanks.

P.S. Congratulations on the phd; what are you a doctor in now?

I have a large amount of PO4 in both my tank and my tapwater. I had 2+ ppm, (that is as high as the test would indicate) and I've never had staghorn angae. I have tried to reduce phosphates for the treatment of my algae(Green, and hair. not staghorn) and it didn't really have an effect in the three weeks I used it. This is just my experience, and not even my experience with staghorn algae. But, be careful as some fish are supposed to be intolerant of the chems in the remover. IME none of my fish seemed to notice. I have angels, ottos, a blue ram, and some cardinals. The heat given off from the pad isn't as much as I expected from what comments have been made about it. Also, If your phosphates are in your tapwater, that's a lot of PO4 pads that you are going to have to buy over time. But I guess it's worth a try as I'm pretty desperate for a plan on my algae as well.

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 14-Dec-2004 00:09

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 14-Dec-2004 00:11

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

right im a little confused cos i thought staghorn algae was hair algae too :%)

one of which i thought was caused by high iron... i could be waaaay outa my league here but if you are dosing with a fert that contains iron you could also try reducing the dosage to see if that helps.

would it be possible to get a pic of whatever algae you have!?

I've got what im calling hair algae, so it would be interesting to see what you have!

Hi,
To see a picture of Staghorn algae and others,
check out this site:

http://www.otocinclus.com/articles/algae.html

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

thanks Frank, i must have Green Thread/Hair Algae!