Ok, as I see barley straw (and H2O2) are questionable ways to kill algae.
Yesterday I talked about barley straw to some folk that have been setting up ponds for 28 years. They said that it does clarify the water but one needs to use it in 1/4 of the recommended amount, otherwise it colors the water almost to the point that it looks like cofee.
In any case I was not convinced that it's worth it buying the stuff and experimenting with it.
Yesteday I did something else too - I poured 5 mls. of 3% H2O2 directly over a small clump (about 1/8 sq. in.) of Cladophora. I treated 3 clumps like that. Today there was no difference in the appearance of the algae.
I'm starting to think that good sterile practices as well as using strong, healthy plants are not nonsense things when starting a tank. Personally I believe that's the case with BBA and Cladophora.
--Nikolay
