Cyanobacteria that is not suspectible to antibiotics

Tom Barr

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Jan 23, 2005
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I've run across a BGA that's not susceptible to any known antibiotics.
I've not identified it as of yet but it's a BGA. I've always have reservations about folks that have used pills and not other advice or comments when offering a cure.

This one cannot be beaten using drugs, Excel and good conditions............it can however, be beaten using the 3 days black out.

This species infects only the leaves below the apical meristem vegetative cone, maybe the 3-4 th leaves down for about the next 3-10 internodes. You can sort of the rub it off, but it hangs on much more than the normal BGA and much harder to remove(pretty much impossible to get it all). Does not seem to harm the plants too much, but makes them look bad when infected.

A real PITA species.
I'd resisted using Blackouts since I had an open house recently, but now I can start in and see if this works, it has so far.............
You can also transfer it to another aquarium even if the parameters are different.
Bad stuff.


Regards,
Tom Barr
 

tedr108

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Tom,

Anybody ever tried colloidal silver in tanks? It can be pretty deadly on bacteria. Of course, it might knock off the nitrifying bacteria also! If I ever get a cyanobacteria, I'll give it a try (I have the capability of making the stuff) -- I'll do it without any critters in the tank. It has charged ions that basically cause bacteria to explode (for lack of a better term). I think I can remember you saying that RCS are sensitive to ions, so I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate the stuff ... not sure about fish.
 

guy tillmans

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i've once had bga algae, i've tried everything from black out to bga killers, nothing helped, the only thing i got rid off was my money. Then i tried erytromicine (anti-biotic) again from the hospital;) 200mg / 40 gallon. Within 3 days, bga died, after 1 week no bga anymore. Since then (3 years ago) never seen those algae again in my tank.
 

Tom Barr

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guy tillmans;28476 said:
Then i tried erytromicine (anti-biotic) again from the hospital;) 200mg / 40 gallon. Within 3 days, bga died, after 1 week no bga anymore. Since then (3 years ago) never seen those algae again in my tank.

No, this treatment above did nothing to this species.
That is why it's different, other types of antibiotics also did not work either.

I have easily gotten rid of BGA's the common species of Oscillitoria with blackouts and
or erytromicine (anti-biotic).

This responded only to black out, 2 weeks or treatment did nothing using several types of antibiotics.

Regards,
tom Barr