[mulita]

Good action Bryce.

I certainly agree that keeping conditions as Cavan mention will keep algae in control and all of us knows, but, lets face it, most of us have had algae problems some time, so this is a very controlled and monitored experiment driven by hoppy and I am sure he doesn't want to damage any plant of animal in his aquarium.

The chemicals used are known, there are reference of what these can do, and so it is a controlled test within parameters that theorically wont affect any living critters.

I think this is a great experiment conducted by hoppy and there is a lot to win with it. Someone may disagree but do your observations keeping limits.

 

[davemonkey]

Well, it took me awhile, but I read through the WHOLE thread!! I'm very interested in how this experiment goes and eagerly await hoppy's and TexGal's results/data.

-Dave

 

[Cavan Allen]

I've noticed that the first responses to a query about an algae issue are often based on big dosing of Excel or something of that nature. The underlying cause is given a back seat. I understand that life can sometimes get in the way; I can certainly relate. However, I'd like to note that a really stable and well-maintained aquarium can offer suffer considerable disruption without major consequences. In the event that something does go wrong, it's not hard to fix by normal means. I'm not against Hoppy's experiment and concede that there may in fact be instances where the substance being tested or something like it might be useful. But again, among other things, the following will prevent most unfortunate situations from arising in the first place: a good plan to start, research, solid fertilization, good water movement, co2 and patience. It's my hope that people new to the hobby keep all of that in mind. Don't rely on quick fixes! With all the advances in the last few years and the great increase in general knowledge, there's no need for anyone to suffer.

 

[Nevermore]

Well, it's concerning to me if Hoppy's dropping it in and some of the fish are trying to eat it. I don't care whether it's a guppy or a cichlid, he should prevent that from happening!

 

[Edward]

Edward, that was an excellent explanation and now I understand. Is there anyway to neutralize the chemical if I were to treat my plants and driftwood in a separate tank, or could I rinse them enough to make it safe to put back in my aquarium. I guess if you have to remove the items being treated anyway, potassium permagnate would be the way to go then.

Ravenous
Plants covered by most types of algae can be washed with running tap water. This does not harm the plants as chemicals do. Then plants can be placed back to aquarium to continue growing. In case of BBA the infested plant parts can not be repaired. This algae grow into the plant tissue inside. So the best option is not to weaken the plant further by chemicals but get it into a good healthy environment where new leaves can grow so later you can remove the infected ones.

For driftwood, plastics, hoses, rocks, pumps, decorations etc. use common bleach, cheap and effective in original concentration as it comes from supermarket. Leave it in it over night then flush thousand times and let sit in tap water overnight to make sure it's clean.

Algae spores are present everywhere and can not be eliminated. What you can do is to create conditions where algae can not grow.

Edward

 

[davemonkey]

Well, it's concerning to me if Hoppy's dropping it in and some of the fish are trying to eat it. I don't care whether it's a guppy or a cichlid, he should prevent that from happening!

...this kinda goes back to the "cruelty to aminals" bit...

Maybe I'm wrong, but if the fish are eating/picking at it, then it obviously is not causing them physical pain or suffering.

If the powder/chemical was indeed in high enough concentration to burn their gills, eat away at their slime coat, irritate their eyes, or do anything else painful or harmful to the fish, then it is only logical to expect the fish to avoid it, try to escape the area of concentration, or show signs of distress.

If the fish are pecking at it and trying to eat it, I don't see how you can say it's distressing the fish or causing them harm. :suspiciou

Again, maybe I'm wrong. But I have a very hard time seeing how this is any more harmful than excel, CO2, or any of the fertilizers we use on a daily basis when used in moderation.

 

[BJRuttenberg]

Any news, Hoppy? How things coming?

 

[Tex Gal]

Boy Hoppy! What a mess! So glad you were the one to take the heat. Don't think I'd be as strong to take it. Keep up the good work. As long as you have been in the hobby- it bears out that you are a respectable gentlemen that cares about the fish and the plants. (I got my order a couple days ago. Gonna try it soon. I will be ready with a water change. I'm not sure I'll be as brave to post my findings given the attacks that have ensued.)

This hobby has a long learning curve. Algae treatments are necessary when you can't help how things happen (ie, moving, hurricane, equipment failures, etc.). We have all read that even the "experts" have had to use excel and such from time to time. I doubt there are any of us out there that would not rather have a balanced algae free aquarium than to continue battling algae. Learning how to do that from tank to tank is the challenge. For those of you that are really good at this - Please won't you be patient as the rest of us learn how to do this?! Don't forget what it was like when you were a newbie!

 

[helgymatt]

Any updates here Hoppy or Tex Gal? I hope you didn't all get scared away

 

[Tex Gal]

Thought I'd post in this thread. I did get some of the product and wanted to let you know what happened.

BEFORE I do that, I wanted to say that since this thread I have noticed that Hoppy is much less participatory on APC. I wonder if his treatment in this thread had anything to do with it. I don't know. I would hate to think that members of APC are more concerned about "potential" harm to fish than kind treatment to a member of the forum. That seems a little out of kilter to me.

Now to my less-than-scientific results. On two separate occasions I took anubias out of my tank and put it in a bowl with 1 gallon of Prime treated water. Time #1 I sprinkled 1 and 1/2 tsp of Sodium Percarbonate. The anubias had some BBA and Green spot algae on it. I did this 2 times in about 2 hours. The product fizzed with fine bubbles. Afterwards I inspected the plant rinsed well with tap water and put it back in a fresh gallon of water overnight. In the am the plant appeared nice and clean, algae free. No damage what so ever. I stuck it back in my tank. No ill affects anywhere. I want you to know I WAY WAY OVER TREATED this plant OUTSIDE my tank. Never would I have put that much of this chemical inside my tank. I do think it kills algae.

Occasion #2. I used 1 gal of Prime treated water and again an infested anubias. It had green spot algae and a small amount of BBA. I again used WAY WAY too much, probably 5 tsp and sprinkled it on the plant. In a few hours I sprinkled more agian. I did this three times. Each time the product fizzed. The algae was dying. The next day I removed the plant, rinsed it well. I left it for another day in clean water. Then I put it back in my tank. The leaves began to disintegrate. The my shrimp (including CRS) swarmed all over it devouring the leaves. It became a mesh of leaf veins. I now only have the rhizome left. I am waiting to see if the rhizome will rot or if it will grow the leaves back. Obviously I reached critical mass with the chemical. NONE of my shrimp suffered any ill affects from eating the leaves. No dead bodies, no sick or slow shrimp. The fish in the tank are all very well. It's been about a week since I put this last plant (what's left of it) back in the tank.

Findings: This product does kill algae. You must use it sparingly. If you have a large area to treat do it little at a time. It will NOT harm fish or inverts that eat the plant treated with this product EVEN if the plant was killed. I would not hesitate to use it in the tank. I will use excel first for BBA. I will use this for clado or such that is harder to kill. I would also do the recommended water change 2 hours following treatment.

 

[Nevermore]

Hoppy contributes a lot, here and on Planted Tank. I feel bad if he's not posting on APC anymore. I enjoy and learn a lot from his posts and I don't believe he would do anything to intentionally harm his fish. I apologize if I accused him of doing otherwise.

 

[Tex Gal]

I sure hope that whoever of whatever the issues were that they are resolved between the parties. It's sad to me when these things happen. Whether it was a misunderstanding or what. Two words go along way - "I'm sorry".

I miss Hoppy!

 

[BryceM]

since this thread, I have noticed that Hoppy is much less participatory on APC. I wonder if his treatment in this thread had anything to do with it.

Hoppy sent me a message indicating that because of the content of this thread, he would now be devoting his time on other forums.



I'm certainly not singling anyone out here. I suspect Hoppy's declining activity here goes way beyond this thread. It does serve as a critical reminder to all of us that written text is often far more blunt, and therefore more hurtful, than would ever be conveyed during the same conversation in person.

The written nature of forums leads to misunderstandings with regrettable frequency.

 

[Bert H]

Hoppy sent me a message indicating that because of the content of this thread, he would now be devoting his time on other forums.

I'm really sorry to hear that. I always found his comments very insightful and helpful to the community.

The written nature of forums leads to misunderstandings with regrettable frequency.

Unfortunately, true.

 

[davemonkey]

I'm really sorry to hear that. I always found his comments very insightful and helpful to the community.

+1. I've seen him pop up on another forum, but miss him on this one. I didn't understand the concept of light intensity AT ALL until he clarified it for me in a way I could grasp it.

-Dave

 

[supersmirky]

I used this stuff last night. I too had silly fish nipping at the stuff as it bubbled away. No fish showed signs of distress and everything looked good. Today when I get back, I will see if it did anything for me. I have a 130 gallon and only spot treated my driftwood with about 1 tablespoon.

 

[Avalon]

I am not in favor of this method. Whether or not it works isn't the issue for me, it's the band-aid part I don't care for. We all search for a quick fix, but nothing trumps sheer knowledge and execution of proper methods that have been tried and true.

Have we really come to a point that we should stop learning and experimenting? Have we really exhausted all options? I think not. After many years in the planted tank hobby, I'm still learning. Experiments are slow and may not work, but the knowledge gained is priceless. Keep in mind this is a method for bodies of water you simply can't inject CO2 and dump fertilizers in. You want to beat algae? Keep studying and experimenting. The answer is usually right in front of you.

 

[Manwithnofish]

I see threads like this where people experiment with various substances to kill algae and I just don't get it. The fact is that algae is not hard to prevent and is easy to eradicate if a tank is maintained properly. It's not hard!

Poppycock and Horse's Patoot. :lol: From my experience, it's impossible to prevent and can only be kept at bay through continuous and diligent efforts to clean and remove it. If anyone knows how (and therefore implies that you can convey to other's that knowledge) how to stop / prevent algae, please see my numerous pleas for help. Because I (and apparently many others) are struggling to find out how it is done.

 

[HeyPK]

Poppycock and Horse's Patoot. :lol: From my experience, it's impossible to prevent and can only be kept at bay through continuous and diligent efforts to clean and remove it. If anyone knows how (and therefore implies that you can convey to other's that knowledge) how to stop / prevent algae, please see my numerous pleas for help. Because I (and apparently many others) are struggling to find out how it is done.

All my tanks are free of hair algae and I do not have to 'manage' to keep it down. It just is not present. I got rid of it using the bleach method, and I keep it out by bleaching all plants before putting them in. I describe the bleach method in a sticky at the top of this forum.

 

[Manwithnofish]

All my tanks are free of hair algae and I do not have to 'manage' to keep it down. It just is not present. I got rid of it using the bleach method, and I keep it out by bleaching all plants before putting them in. I describe the bleach method in a sticky at the top of this forum.

My comments were not regarding "hair" algae. I am not having a problem with hair algae.