Hi All;
Have recently been experimenting with O2 and CO2 tensions and ways to monitor them. I have also been very happy with having been algae-free for some time.
Tank is a 210 gal 72" x 24" x 24". The system is three years old. It has been through various stages, including bouts with BGA. Never before BBA, which has started to show up on the wood and dead and dying leaves. I am not overly concerned because I think I can nip this problem before it gets out of hand. Given the tenacious reputation of this blight, however, I need to seek help to guide my decisions.
I have no cyanobacteria on stem plants or anywhere else I can see, and have not had for some months. There is just a little GSA, perhaps somewhat fuzzy, on a few of the Ludwigia leaves that are just at the very surface, closest to the light. This I expect to see. Nowhere else do I see algae of any kind - except the BBA.
I had been keeping the pH at 6.89 with a KH of 6 degrees. I decided to depress the pH to 6.84 to increase the CO2 tension. I also cut back the 8000 Kelvin full mid-day illumination (very bright LED arrays) to one-third, along with about 200 watts of T5HO 6700 Kelvin. The difference in the light is significant. Photoperiod is 12 hours, bracketed with 40 minute twilight times.
I also am adding 100 mL SeaChem Excel daily.
The BBA has set in on the old, tattier leaves of the Microsorum and the wood. Small tufts trying to get a hold on the edges of the Anubias leaves and on some rocks appear to be going away - for now.
If not beating it back, I am at least containing it for the moment. I have little doubt that the CO2 increase is a significant factor. I have noticed that as the CO2 level has gone up, so has the dissolved oxygen, and also a noticeable increase in plant vitality overall. And, no new tufts of BBA.
I have a lot of macro in there. Potassium is well in excess of 3 ppm from previous heavy dosing. Nitrate is between 10 and 20 ppm. Phosphate is just under 5 ppm. These derive from fish waste and I have little control here. I have not deliberately dosed macro for some time. Buffering agents are both calcium and magnesium salts, so I do not suspect magnesium deficiency, although I have not tested for that.
For the time being, should I stop dosing iron and micros? I have been keeping iron at .5 to 1 ppm at all times. Does this matter to the BBA?
For anyone interested in seeing me through this, I can provide more details as required.
Have recently been experimenting with O2 and CO2 tensions and ways to monitor them. I have also been very happy with having been algae-free for some time.
Tank is a 210 gal 72" x 24" x 24". The system is three years old. It has been through various stages, including bouts with BGA. Never before BBA, which has started to show up on the wood and dead and dying leaves. I am not overly concerned because I think I can nip this problem before it gets out of hand. Given the tenacious reputation of this blight, however, I need to seek help to guide my decisions.
I have no cyanobacteria on stem plants or anywhere else I can see, and have not had for some months. There is just a little GSA, perhaps somewhat fuzzy, on a few of the Ludwigia leaves that are just at the very surface, closest to the light. This I expect to see. Nowhere else do I see algae of any kind - except the BBA.
I had been keeping the pH at 6.89 with a KH of 6 degrees. I decided to depress the pH to 6.84 to increase the CO2 tension. I also cut back the 8000 Kelvin full mid-day illumination (very bright LED arrays) to one-third, along with about 200 watts of T5HO 6700 Kelvin. The difference in the light is significant. Photoperiod is 12 hours, bracketed with 40 minute twilight times.
I also am adding 100 mL SeaChem Excel daily.
The BBA has set in on the old, tattier leaves of the Microsorum and the wood. Small tufts trying to get a hold on the edges of the Anubias leaves and on some rocks appear to be going away - for now.
If not beating it back, I am at least containing it for the moment. I have little doubt that the CO2 increase is a significant factor. I have noticed that as the CO2 level has gone up, so has the dissolved oxygen, and also a noticeable increase in plant vitality overall. And, no new tufts of BBA.
I have a lot of macro in there. Potassium is well in excess of 3 ppm from previous heavy dosing. Nitrate is between 10 and 20 ppm. Phosphate is just under 5 ppm. These derive from fish waste and I have little control here. I have not deliberately dosed macro for some time. Buffering agents are both calcium and magnesium salts, so I do not suspect magnesium deficiency, although I have not tested for that.
For the time being, should I stop dosing iron and micros? I have been keeping iron at .5 to 1 ppm at all times. Does this matter to the BBA?
For anyone interested in seeing me through this, I can provide more details as required.