[Manwithnofish]

Truth About Green Dust Algae?

My recent experience with GDA leads me to believe that no one knows definitely how to put an end to GDA. That’s ok, it’s a living thing and that makes it complex enough that I can appreciate that it doesn’t fall into the Easy category. Shame on me for thinking, it's a problem (like a flat tire) and I just want instructions on how to fix it.

So, shouldn't we just admit that we don’t know how to get rid of it.

What is the most accurate statement that we can make about GDA?

a. We (the aquarium hobbyist) fully understand the factors that cause GDA and know how to get rid of it. A specific set of directions, if followed will be successful in defeating GDA, 100% guaranteed.

b. We fully understand the factors that cause GDA and know how to get rid of it, but only under certain specific situations and conditions.

c. We do not fully understand the factors that cause GDA, but can offer some suggestions that may or may not work. Successful solutions vary. What works for one individual will not work for everyone.

d. We do not understand the factors that cause GDA and accept that you may not be able to defeat GDA. The best you can hope for is to control GDA by vigilant cleaning and good housekeeping. It is not known why GDA eventually goes away. It appears that it either dies or goes into long dormant states. Neither of which happens as a result of anything that you do.
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[Manwithnofish]

I think c is probably the single most accurate statement, but we probably know a little more than that, so in reality the truth somewhere between c and b.

As for the cure - many people have killed if off in slightly different ways, but the ones that tend to be most successful all seem to revolve around letting it run its course for 2 weeks (without touching it), then scraping and removing it with a water change, and/or reducing the light duration (7 hours & less intense lighting) and intensity for 2 weeks and doing water changes.

Ultimately, it is not invincible and you will eventually get rid of it, although it is probably one of the worst and most disheartening algae types to get (second in difficulty to remove only to a severe infestation of BBA).

I am aware of the successes that some people have had with this method or that method. I've seen many suggested remedies. I myself have tried all those you mentioned above, raised lights, reduced period, did not touch the tank for 4 weeks, etc, etc....and GDA came back in my tank within 5 days. So for me the answer is more like c or d.

My point is just because a particular solution works for some, why doesn't it work for every one? We all have essentially the same toybox...water, light, chemistry, nutrients, biology. So maybe we know it well but not completely. Is it not the same as a garden? Not every one can grow carrots the same.

Certainly, I'm not the only one who has difficulty in understanding and defeating GDA. I REALLY don't believe that people KNOW more that the rest of us. Maybe there's just a little bit of luck involved. Theoretically, if enough people flip a coin, some one is going to flip heads 100 times in a row, maybe a 1000 times. Does that mean that they know how to flip a coin and the rest of us don't?

 

[Manwithnofish]

I think that GDA/GDA is a necessary evil in our hobby.

I am content with cleaning the glass once a week with my water changes and have accepted this as a side effect of having a high tech high light tanki.

Sounds like you're choosing "d" to me...so the question is, have we just quit trying, did we not follow the procedure correctly, did we do something wrong? Or, just maybe, the "cure" doesn't always work. Sounds like a disease. Certainly the medical community knows a lot about certain diseases but sometimes, you just have to be one of the lucky ones...same treatment...different results. I believe the truth is...that's all we know. If it works it works, and if it fails...oh well, go directly to "d" and live there.

 

[Manwithnofish]

It's easy enough to fix and not the unstoppable force some people say it is.

In my experience, it's definitely not easy to fix. But anyway, I guess you are the "a" camp.