Using "Algea Destroyer" in a planted aquarium? Also fish disease question...

[EmmanuelJB]

I hate to use chemicals, but my 10 gallon planted broke out with a terrible disease which killed 1 out of 2 ottos (the one left is very sick and not eating). Now that the ottos are gone the algae is moving in... I am scared that the algae is going to suck up all the nutrients and kill the plants... Could I use algea destroyer in the tank? It says it is safe for plants...

Also I have two fish left (only a matter of time before they die) how soon after they die can I get new fish? I have tried to save them but it is hopeless, nothing I did worked. The reason I am asking is because I want to get new ottos in the tank as soon as possible, so I dont have to worry about algae.

I think once the 2 fish die I am going to dose the tank with 3 to 4 times the amount of recommended quick cure then after a day or 2 do a major water change... Malachite green does not harm plants does it?

Thanks!

[hockeyhead019]

You could also figure out what's out of balance in the tank too lol... as for using chems I'd avoid it but that's just me personally... If you do make sure to take any carbon out of your filter since that'll remove the chems outta the water

[EmmanuelJB]

You could also figure out what's out of balance in the tank too lol... as for using chems I'd avoid it but that's just me personally... If you do make sure to take any carbon out of your filter since that'll remove the chems outta the water
When you say out of balance, do you mean what causing the algae? If so I am assuming its the plant ferts that are feeding the algae.

[smaug]

When you say out of balance, do you mean what causing the algae? If so I am assuming its the plant ferts that are feeding the algae.
Its an imbalance of nutrients to what the plants are actually using.If your plants are growing well and your algae is as well,then its time to back off the ferts.There are different ferts as well.To keep it simple,clean the tank up.Doo more water changes,do better gravel vacs,feed less and cut back on the light time.Never OD a tank with any med.Longer durations with ick cures is ok,but never OD.You will be running a fine line with keeping beneficial bacteria alive with out fish,2-3 days max.If your tank is unstable then otos are the last fish you want to add.
for a diseased tank with algae issues just remember this.The solution is dillution.Keep it cleaner.

[Lady Hobbs]

You may want to read this thread.
Overdose Of Tetra Algae Control ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

[EmmanuelJB]

You may want to read this thread.
Overdose Of Tetra Algae Control ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])
I have a different brand... Anyway by the time I add it to the tank there wont be any fish in there anyway. The 2 fish left are pretty much dead from the ich like disease already.

[Plant Man]

I hate to use chemicals, but my 10 gallon planted broke out with a terrible disease which killed 1 out of 2 ottos (the one left is very sick and not eating). Now that the ottos are gone the algae is moving in... I am scared that the algae is going to suck up all the nutrients and kill the plants... Could I use algea destroyer in the tank? It says it is safe for plants...

Also I have two fish left (only a matter of time before they die) how soon after they die can I get new fish? I have tried to save them but it is hopeless, nothing I did worked. The reason I am asking is because I want to get new ottos in the tank as soon as possible, so I dont have to worry about algae.

I think once the 2 fish die I am going to dose the tank with 3 to 4 times the amount of recommended quick cure then after a day or 2 do a major water change... Malachite green does not harm plants does it?

Thanks!

Check out this link,
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Quote,
“Plant nutrients in general have nothing to do neither with algae issues nor with fish/shrimp issues (dead/sick fish/shrimps) in planted tanks which are regularly dosed with fertilisers!
The question is; “Why do I get algae even though I dose NO3, PO4, CO2 and other nutrients on regular bases”?
The worst mistake many do in such cases is they start reducing nutrients out of fear that these nutrients might be creating the algae issue. Such nutrient reducing method will induce algae even more!”

The idea that nutrients of any kind cause algae is old aquarium dogma and has been proven many times to be false. I dose my tank heavily with CSM+B (traces) with added Iron, Nitrate, Phosphate and Potassium. I dose them 3 times per week and my tank does not have any algae. If excess nutrients caused algae this tank would be covered/filled with algae.

I’ve had Nitrate over 50ppm and Phosphate over 15-20ppm with zero algae issues whatsoever! Although these numbers are extreme they prove my point.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


Read the article and learn the truth. I fought algae on an off for years until just recently when I started running EI (Estimative Index) fertilizing method, which requires you to flood your tank with nutrients during the week and then do a 50% water change at week end. I’ve been doing it for 6-7 months and all the algae issues I have had are gone, completely!

Algae are caused by low oxygen, low water flow, to much light for the available Co2 and a lack of one or more nutrients (not to much of this or that nutrient). As soon as the plants are out of something they need rot begins leading to lower oxygen and so on. If you add fertilizers and get an algae spike of some kind, you already had an issue in the tank.

Also read this, it may help you understand it some. If you have any questions send me a PM

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


Thanks,

Shawn