This site is supported by the advertisements on it, please disable your AdBlocker so we can continue to provide you with the quality content you expect.
  1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.
  2. We are after as many aquarium plant images that we can get, doing so will assist us in completing the aquarium plant database.

    https://barrreport.com/threads/aquatic-plant-images-wanted.14374/
    Dismiss Notice
Cookies Aquarium Plant Images Wanted

A BGA Observation

Discussion in 'General Plant Topics' started by aquabillpers, Apr 20, 2010.

  1. aquabillpers

    aquabillpers Lifetime Charter Member
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2005
    Messages:
    639
    Likes Received:
    3
    Local Time:
    9:02 PM
    I have a 20 long that I am using as a grow-out for Endler's. It contains about 25 vals in a 6" by 6" container, a little hornwort, and about 12 Endler's.

    The water is moderately hard. The tank gets no CO2 or other nutrients.

    The tank gets about 2 WPG of T8 light, plus about 2 hours of morning sunlight that strikes the right half of the tank.

    The half that gets tthe sunlight has a luxuriant growth of BGA. I remove it periodically but it comes back. The other side has no BGA at all.

    From this I conclude that excess light is the main cause of BGA in this particular environment, and maybe in others.

    Bill
     
    #1 aquabillpers, Apr 20, 2010
  2. Gerryd

    Gerryd Plant Guru Team
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2007
    Messages:
    5,623
    Likes Received:
    18
    Local Time:
    9:02 PM
    Hi Bill,

    Could you look at it as follows:

    The higher light causes a higher c02 demand. This was not met and thus BGA develops.

    At the artificial light levels you are able to supply the c02 demand to keep it at bay. The sunlight caused a tip in the scales and BGA :)

    So, is it too much light or too little c02? Or both? I vote for both.....
     
    #2 Gerryd, Apr 20, 2010
  3. aquabillpers

    aquabillpers Lifetime Charter Member
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2005
    Messages:
    639
    Likes Received:
    3
    Local Time:
    9:02 PM
    Hi, Gerry,

    What you say is true in general, but in this case the BGA is limited to the half of that tank that gets the sunlight. CO2 and nutrients are the same throughout the tank. The CO2 in the non BGA side of the tank is the same as that in the side that has the BGA. The only variable is the sunlight.

    Bill
     
    #3 aquabillpers, Apr 20, 2010
  4. TheKillHaa

    TheKillHaa Prolific Poster

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2007
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    9:02 PM
    there will be a imaginary solution: install a bulkhead into the tank, separating higt ilumination vs low, having same nutrients levels, plants, but co2 with differents levels...
    im with Gerry. are both. no balance between co2 and light.

    a factible solution: install a kind of net fabric, or something on high iluminated half, to absorbe some light before hits the water.

    regards.
     
    #4 TheKillHaa, Apr 20, 2010
  5. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
    Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2005
    Messages:
    18,657
    Likes Received:
    583
    Local Time:
    9:02 PM
    I've noted this going back in the 1990's, Steve and I kept after this one.
    I agree with Bill, not sure why the BGA grows where the sunlight hits more than any other spot.

    The solution is easy, attach some material to block the light there etc.
    EM tablets etc.

    But........does not address the root.

    I've seen it grow well along the edges between the gravel and the glas sin many tanks, but goes not farther.
    ADA As does this after its fairly old(12 months+), most all gravels do.

    Nothing disturbs it there, and it gets light.
    Ideal palce for algae.

    Bill's tank is different though.

    Not sure why, when I uproot, do not clean filters and do not dose, I tend to get it.
    Since I dose KNO3 slightly in my non CO2/no excel tank, I also do not get it ..........

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #5 Tom Barr, Apr 20, 2010
  6. Biollante

    Biollante Lifetime Charter Member
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2009
    Messages:
    3,210
    Likes Received:
    1
    Local Time:
    9:02 PM
    20 Longs Cause Algae

    Hi Bill,

    I have not found a problem with sunshine and BGA or algae in general. :rolleyes:

    I may be a bit more tolerant of algae than many around here.

    I have also noted more of a tendency to get algae in corners and below the substrate line on the glass.

    The 10-gallon tank below is typical of my small outdoor tanks; this one gets the most sun, this time of year that is about three hours. It has a small circulation pump that powers the “breath reactor,” no filter, heavy EI dosing. It has an two inch enriched worm poop and kitty litter substrate.

    The 20 long is outdoors in a sheltered area and this time of year gets about two hours of direct sun on one end. Inert substrate, low EI dosing ambient light, sits between two well lit 55-gallon tanks, gets "overhang" of shop lights.

    Given your situation and mine, I believe we must conclude 20 longs cause algae. :cool:

    [attachment=583:name]

    [attachment=584:name]

    Biollante

    p4200029..jpg

    P1010094..JPG
     
    #6 Biollante, Apr 21, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...
Similar Threads - BGA Observation
  1. ianmills122

    Will H202 harm Dwarf Four Leaf Clover when spot treating for BGA?

    ianmills122, Jan 23, 2015, in forum: General Plant Topics
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    91
    ianmills122
    Jan 24, 2015
  2. jonathan11

    BGA, lighting, frets

    jonathan11, May 7, 2014, in forum: Lighting
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    94
    ltb420
    May 7, 2014
  3. tefsom85

    Dry start and BGA

    tefsom85, Dec 30, 2013, in forum: General Plant Topics
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    102
    tefsom85
    Dec 30, 2013
  4. ShadowMac

    BGA and some pesky GDA

    ShadowMac, Sep 8, 2013, in forum: Algae Control
    Replies:
    30
    Views:
    228
    Matt F.
    Sep 24, 2013
  5. c allen

    OH THE HORROR . DSM instant BGA

    c allen, Jul 9, 2013, in forum: Are you new to aquatic plants? Start here
    Replies:
    13
    Views:
    171
    Monilovesplants
    Aug 3, 2013

Share This Page