Algae control while protecting my Dojos?

[adojoguy]

Hi All -

I'm having a problem with hair algae in my 55g planted tank. The tank has dojos, corey cats, angels, hatchets, and a couple BN plecos.

I've been advised to use Seachem Flourish Excel to help aid the plant growth and beat back the algae.

Has anyone used this? Is it safe for my loaches?

Thank you -
Mike

[bslindgren]

I use it. I think it's mostly used to get rid of black brush and black hair algae, because virtually nothing eats it. SAEs ( Crossocheilus siamensis do, however - I have four of them and they have done an amazing job. They do get quite large though, and are supposed to get a bit more cantankerous as adults. My largest ones are now about 4-5 inches (they were about an inch when I got them a year ago), and have shown no sign of aggression toward each other or other tank mates. Just watch so you don't end up with the wrong species! See http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/sae.htm

I have 3 BN plecos,two bulldog or rubbernose plecos, plus the SAEs and some Otos, and they keep the tank pretty much free of algae.

[loachcoach]

I just posted this in the freshwater forum, but I'll repeat it just in case.

I am on day five of overdosing my planted aquarium. This morning my anubias nana appeared to have a slight decrease in hair algae, but it might just be wishful thinking on my part. I'll keep you updated.

I'm overdosing at 3 times the regular dose. The fish don't seem to be bothered it.

[bslindgren]

The people who have success with Excel Flourish use a turkey baster and apply it concentrated directly to the algae. That would mean turning off all filters and powerheads, I presume. I prefer the SAE solution.....

[adojoguy]

Loachcoach how are you dosing - with a baster, or dumping into the tank?

[loachcoach]

Loachcoach how are you dosing - with a baster, or dumping into the tank?

I have been just pouring into the filter output flow......maybe I should try using a baster.....

[adojoguy]

Thanks sir

[Diana]

Yes, turn off the water movement, but only for a few minutes, then turn it back on. If the algae is growing on plants the Excel can kill those leaves where it was so concentrated. If the algae is on non-living things then remove them from the tank and apply to them in almost anything:
Pick ONE:
H2O2
Excel
Dry plant fertilizer such as KNO3
Salt
Epsom salt
Algaecide
Chlorine Bleach
...until the algae is dead, scrub it off as much as you can, rinse and put them back in the tank. At full strength any of these will kill most algae in just a few seconds or a minute.
If you use chlorine bleach I would do a couple of rinsings with a double dose of dechlorinator in the water.
I would not use an algaecide that was not also labeled safe for the fish, just in case some remnant stayed on the treated item. (Actually I still would not use it- the other items are safer)
The other items are safe in a tank at the tiny dose that might remain after rinsing.
Some of these can be used on plants, but at such low doses or for such a short time that you may need several doses to kill the algae. This is why leaving plants in the tank and dosing that way (baster with Excel, for example) works well. Exposure is brief, and not so concentrated, but is repeated.

[adojoguy]

Diana thank you very much!

3000l of water? Wow!