Algae support

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Unfortunately not - straight into trays!

I'm starting to be convinced that BBA is aggravated by high levels of organic debris.

That may well be where the problem lies. The build up of organic debris is likely to be <"inside the filter">.

I'm a <"great pre-filter fan">. It <"was some issues"> with Panaque spp. keeping that originally led me down the route of thinking more about <"the oxygen and nitrification">.

I've gone to using <"really large foam blocks"> to give you "belt and braces". This on a powerhead, but I use the same ones on filter intakes.



Cheers Darrel

 

[strangemark]

Hi all,


That may well be where the problem lies. The build up of organic debris is likely to be <"inside the filter">.

I'm a <"great pre-filter fan">. It <"was some issues"> with Panaque spp. keeping that originally led me down thinking more about <"the oxygen and nitrification">.

I've gone to using <"really large foam blocks"> to give you "belt and braces". This on a powerhead, but I use the same ones on filter intakes.

View attachment 218598

Cheers Darrel

Hi Darrel,

As I don't have the ability to run a pre-filter on my external filter, would you suggest that the arrangement you have shown; power head and foam block, would be an alternative to a pre- filter, or work as a pre-filter?

I currently run a skimmer in my tank and the foam within gets rinsed every other day due the volume it filters from the surface.

Would you have an image of how you run a foam block on your filter intake?

Cheers

Mark

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

As I don't have the ability to run a pre-filter on my external filter,

Would the Eheim one work? <"EHEIM Vorfilter">

would you suggest that the arrangement you have shown; power head and foam block, would be an alternative to a pre- filter, or work as a pre-filter?

I currently run a skimmer in my tank and the foam within gets rinsed every other day due the volume it filters from the surface.

These would help to some degree, but I'd really want to stop the external filter picking up the saw-dust etc. I definitely don't want that inside the filter.

It doesn't matter that the saw-dust etc. doesn't have a high <"Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)">, the problem is a <"mechanical filtration & oxygen one">.

....... I've corresponded a little bit with some of the scientists who have worked on the gut flora of Panaque spp. These are xylophagous "wood eating" Loricariids with highly evolved dentition, but apparently relatively unspecialised gut morphology.

I was initially interested in them because they were a fish often involved in "unexplained death" (for experienced aquarists), and after a while I began to strongly suspect that this was an oxygen effect and that it was caused largely by people using their external filters as syphons for all the cr*p and saw-dust they produce. It doesn't have a high bioload, but it does easily clog the filter.........

Would you have an image of how you run a foam block on your filter intake?

I slide the filter intake inside the <"drilled hole on the block"> and then I use a <"foam collar to make it a snug fit">. I'll get a photo of the ones I'm using at the moment tonight.

cheers Darrel

 

[strangemark]

Hi all,
Thought I should share my mistake which prompted me to start this thread 🤦‍♂️ it would appear that the "algae problem" I wrote about was actually the Java Fern sprouting new rhizomes, and what I though were bba spores were actually roots/rhizome 🤣😂

I have attached/wedged the slightly more advance shoots to the wood (pics below) and the very new shoots are floating with the frogbit until they grow some more.

This does not negate the fact that there are nutrient deficiencies which can be seen from the discolouration of the leaves. Furthermore, I gain some great reading material, which, hopefully will advance my knowledge within this great hobby - thanks again 👍

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I'll get a photo of the ones I'm using at the moment tonight.

<"This one"> shows the sponge.

it would appear that the "algae problem" I wrote about was actually the Java Fern sprouting new rhizomes

Actually an <"easy mistake to make">.

cheers Darrel