Massive Algae Blooms

[Troy-N-Eli]

We put a post up some time ago and got a couple replys about this, but we are continuing to have some serious problems.  We are having massive free floating algae blooms.  We have had several products suggested, but the chemical route sorta scares us, since you can never tell what chemicals might do to the fish population.

I digress...here's the question I'd like to pose:  If we add a small amount of aquarium salt, would that help to stunt the bloom or get rid of it altogether?  We've never heard of anything like this, but it was sort of a brainstorm that we came up with.  If anyone else has knowledge about this, we'd appreciate hearing from you.  TIA!

 

[Backdraft Bagel]

Ok, I'm super leery of the chemical route too .. but I was having the same trouble as you. It had been like 3 weeks or a month now ... and I was ready to give up. Even my RO filter had crapped out - the sediment and charcoal pre-filters clogged up and "burned out" from over use when i was doing all kinds of crazy massive water changes and whatnot.

Finally, I capitulated. The owner of my favorite LFS recommended something called aqua velvet. He has a hunch that green water isn't caused by algae, but rather it's something airborne or otherwise introduced that can be killed. He thinks people make too much of the algae factor, and of "lefover nutrients" in the water column.

Well, I don't know for sure one way or another, but the product he sold me got my tank from this:

To this in only four days.

Since using aqua velvet, the green water has not returned either. A bottle as $6, and had enough to treat 75 gallons - I bought a bottle, did a dose, the next day did a half dose, then thought better of it and went back for another bottle to be sure the green water was totally dead.

Here is a pic and link for aqua velvet

http://www.petdiscounters.com/aquarium/chemistry/clear/ju_velvet_guard.html

Also - I have 5 juvenile discus, 2 german blue rams and 10 rummy nose in this aquarium and they were not harmed by the chemical.

 

[Troy-N-Eli]

Thanks BDB!  That's exactly our problem.  Our tanks look exactly like the top pic.  We'll go out and find some of that stuff and try it.  All our stuff is community oriented, so it should be OK w/ them.

 

[Backdraft Bagel]

Be sure to buy enough for an "extended dosing" - add just one more dose after you think the water is clear. Just to be safe, or the green water could return.