Hey guys, ever since I gave away some on the forum and replanted my hairgrass, I've been having some serious issues. Still can't get the hang of a fert regime and ended up with BGA. So I'm currently trying the 3 day blackout method. Has anyone tried this? Any suggestions?

Day 1:
Manually remove as much as possible of BGA
50% WC
1/4tsp KN03
Turn off C02
Cover tank with blanket, towels, etc

Day 2:
Nothing

Day 3:
Remove dead BGA
50% WC
1/4tsp KN03
Turn on C02

And then most importantly keep up with KN03 dosing!

BGA=Blue Green Algae or the Brush Green Algae?

Dosing NO3 might not a really good solution. For my case, blue green algae gone and thread algae grow. Due to overdose the NO3. I didn't use the NO3 tester...that's why...

But after i trim off the thread algae. Stop the NO3 dosing. Change 80-90% of water. Raise the KH from KH 2 up to KH 4 in 3 days time. Dosing the PSB after water changed. And i am dosing the PSB everyday now. Lighting n CO2 still running. BGA gone in 3-4 days time. Overdose PSB will not cause any problem.

BGA = Blue Green Algae. I've never heard of Brush Green Algae

Don't you need to dose N03 because BGA grows in low-NO3 environments?

PSB will grow and balance up the NO3 from fish waste.

Brush green algae is something like those small liverwort growing on rock. It is a bit like the Black Brush algae. But the shape is nicer.

Yes the blackout method works for BGA, but it works best for Green Water. Your method will work, but can I also suggest that you increase your water flow if its possible, maybe clean filter if its clogged? BGA will grow in stagnant areas, and always happens when plant growth is like a jungle until it sorta shield the filter outlet. if you have good circulation and NO3 of more than 0 mg/l, then BGA won't be an issue. But yes the method works, NO3 is very important.

hi cruise,
tried blackout method. works. 3 days...
confirm what other sifus here already post.
quite easy to control this...it may recur but just do blackout again.
keep the no3 5-10ppm...

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Cruise

Firstly check you water flow. If there is restricted flow or dead water no matter how many times you repeat the "Blackout" the BGA will reapprear.

When I had it in one of my tanks it was pure common sense that why BGA grows. Here is my analysis. Where there is dead water, there is Fert trap. When there is Fert trapped and the plants can't consume fast enough you will have BGA and Black Brush.

Another drastic measure you could try (if you have the guts) you could trim your plants "Botak". Even Hair Grass could be trimmed to half a centimeter, even mosses could also be trimmep. This way you can be sure of constant water flow.

I hope this help.

dead water and trapped fert are right, main issue is not enough oxygen...my experience is sand too fine causes the oxygen to deplete in sand. low planting also reduce the amount of roots to oxygenate sand.

i think you def can trim the hg. it will all float up and scoop it up. done it before. grows back nicely.
also poke some holes with tweezer of chopstick into sand. then do some gravel vacuuming to treplace about 30-50% water.
HTH...

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