Subj : Re: The Mystery Almost Solved
To   : Michael Grant
From : Jeff Snyder
Date : Mon Jun 29 2009 04:26 am

On 06/29/09, Jeff Snyder quoted Michael Grant: The Mystery Almost
Solved.

MG> I poked my nose in here because I pretty much have an out-of control algae
MG> problem ATM. I tried scraping, and also tried another suggestion I found
MG> online: using a magic eraser. Worked well, but only temporarily, then the
MG> algae came back in spades.


Michael, I think that you may be attacking your algae problem from the wrong
direction. Rather than concentrating on eliminating the symptoms -- the
unsightly algae -- you need to get to the source of the problem, which, for
starters, is probably a high concentration of nitrates in your tank.

As you probably already know, nitrates are a part of the nitrification
cycle, i.e., ammonia, nitrite, nitrates, free nitrogen.

The root of your problem is more than likely excessive organic waste
somewhere in your system, which over time is being broken down into
nitrates. Like phosphates, nitrates are the perfect food source for algae.

My suggestions to you, before you decide to go the full route of dismantling
your tank, are the following:

1. Use a turkey baster or gravel vacuum to clean out your substrate.

2. Check and replace all filter pads and cartridges as needed.

3. Check and clean out all filter tubing as needed.

4. Manually remove excess algae from glass and tank decor as much as
possible.

5. Verify that your bio-load is not too heavy for the size of your tank.

6. Do not overfeed your fish.

7. Conduct 25% -- or more -- water changes on a regular basis, meaning at
least once a week. Being as you already have an algae problem, I would
suggest a water change of 50%, and I would consider doing it twice a week
until your nitrate level drops to an acceptable level. Of course, you will
need to purchase a nitrate test kit in order to properly monitor the nitrate
level of the tank.

I hope that the above helps.

Please let us know how it goes.

Thanks!


Jeff Snyder, SysOp - Armageddon BBS  Visit us at endtimeprophecy.org port 23
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