Controlling Algae in Ultricularia tank

[David]

Thanks for the info bactrus. I think I'll take 2 of that water lettuce out. Lets see how. If the plant on the right can absorb all the nitrogen and minerals from the water, I'll take the water lettuce out completely. Looks like I do not need the water lettuce as the water level reduces very quickly everyday since I placed that plant on the right in there. And you're right, it's a tough fellow. I chopped up its roots but there seem to be no ill effect on them. They grow pretty fast too.

[ifurita]

There's something I forgot to mention...some sources of sphagnum peat chemically treat their peat to counter the acidity. That might have some effect on the peat's effectiveness. I've had peat before which was to treated that it didn't even colour the water even the slightest tinge of brown. Also, I don't think just any leaves will work...I've tried leaves and those just seemed to make the algae problem worse. Try those sea almond leaves the betta keepers use to acidify their water...those might work.

[piscesilim]

That plant is Pennywort (Hydrocotyle sp.) We call Ïã¹½²Ý(Mushroom grass) in chinese.

[David]

Infurita,

I use Horti sphagnum peat. You think this is ok? Half of the leaves I am using are those leaves you mentioned that betta keepers use. I've broken it into small pieces, so can't really see from the pictures.

Thanks Lim. Now I know the name of that plant, ie. mushroom grass

[ifurita]

David,
That's good, those leaves should keep your water acidified for a while. If you're refering to the Horti Peat that comes in those green and white bags, then that's the exact peat that didn't even colour the water in the slightest for me. The initial stocks of it did, when I first started using it, but more recent stocks seem to be more treated. You might want to test this by taking some peat and soaking it in a jar of water for a few days. If the water does not turn brown or only takes a very slight brown tinge of brown, then you'll know its been treated. If that's the case, then rely more on the leaves. I've heard those work better anyway, since they also release carbon dioxide in the decomposition process.

[David]

Argghh... No wonder the water only turn tea colour when I placed those leaves in there. Does it mean that the peat moss from Horti is not acidic? I hope it does not do any harm to my Sundews as I am using this for my sundews.

[ifurita]

Hmmm...yup, then that kinda confirms it then, heh. It means that it is not as acidic as it should be, at best it is only very weakly acidic. I don't think it should be that big an issue, except to the more fussy Droseras, I'm not sure how much acidity they require on the whole. The swamp Droseras might require more of it, but the non-swamp ones should be fine.

[David]

Ok, I've removed the water lettuce taking into consideration Bactrus's coments and replaced it with salvinia molesta, a water fern. Haa, haa... found it at last in a little pond in a construction site.

Below is a picture of the plant that I got from a website at tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/alert/alrtsalv.html



I did not know there was something else attached to the roots of the plant until I went home and place it in my U. aurea tank. Found U. gibba attached to the roots.

Anyway, so far now I don't really see algae in the tank. Hope it continues like that. Will know in a week time.

[ifurita]

David,
Here's hoping your efforts to control the algae succeed! In the case of my tank, it was quite clean/clear for the first two weeks or so, then a very hard fight between the Utrics and Algae for the next couple of months...but the Utrics did win in the end. I'm growing U. gibba and U. aurea in that tank, so even if algae does come up, I think there's a good chance of them winning out anyway.

[marigoldsfail21]

I agree with bactrus, water lettuce is nasty. I had to empy my pond of it every week or two during the summer. It tends to not do so well indors thankfully but it can create a huge mess when its old leaves die off and the roots spread all over. I don't suggest adding more plants to your aquarium to deplete the nutrients in the water since they don't use quite the same nutrients as algae does.
To get rid of the algae I would suggest increasing the quantity of tamin in the water as well as the acidity. To do this you could get a small clump of live sphagnum moss(for the acidity) and some dead leaves(for the tamin) and wrap them in a sheet of tea paper. You could leave it in your aquarium for a day then take it out before it deteriorates in the water.

[David]

Thanks for the suggestion merigoldsfail21.

I'll post a picture on the progress in the next few days. At the moment the algae seem to have stop spreading. Those that have grown in the filter seem to have died oout and turned brown. I hope this is a good sign, but like what ifurita said it might just pop up again after 1-2 weeks.

[phissionkorps]

Sphagnum, live or dead, is not very acidic.

Shawn, by "tamin" do you mean "tannin"? That is the acid (tannic acid) that makes peat water brown. I'm sure you could buy tannic acid concentrate, or make a "peat tea", or just throw some grape skins in the tank.

You can also get "pH down" from hydroponics supply places.

[David]

Thanks pissionkorps for the explaination and additional information.


I think my algae problem has finally come to an end. Here's some pictures...







thanks everyone for your advise and tips.

[piscesilim]

Now is to wait for them to show some flowers.

[bactrus]

David, While you're at it why not staart a crystal prawn farm. Get ride of those nomal prawns and replace with some shown grade CRS. I think dom and Lim are experts in this area. A spin-off from the main hobby- can be lucrative too, . Prawns help your Ult. to get ride of algae, Ult. provide food- a loving symbiotic relationship. Hmmm.... dare I suggest a betta too...

[David]

Hmm, good idea but have to consider and ask those 2 sifus for more info before I jump into it.

[piscesilim]

CRS need cooler temperature to survive. 25-28 C. They won't doing well if don't have chiller or fan.

[bactrus]

David, you've already invested much in the tank, filter and other stuff. Why not putting your investment to work and get some returns. Yaya... some more money to go in loh. A bit more only ma.

Lim and dom, how? What brand cooler to recommend? Saw someone selling some cooler/chiller in mac forum- some time ago.

My second job is being the devil's advocate.

BA

[ameliepoulain]

BA, aren't you supposed to be shopping for the baby?

Instead you are here being 'firestone'

Hmm.... maybe I should give your 'Minister of Internal Affair' a call

[ifurita]

Here's something to think about...do CRS like water that is acidic/tannin rich?