Treating algae

Beeman

Beeman

Members
I read some time ago, that for treating algae on live plants, you can do a 'quick-dip' in mild(very) bleach water. I do this with my 'not-live' plants, with no ill affect to my fish. Does anyone out there utilize this method? My only real concern
is for my corys and plecos that may graze the mulm afterwards. I normally rinse AND soak my 'non-live' afterward in hot then cold water. Obviously not an option on live plants. Will a thorough rinse be enough? All this for a bunch of swords that have been in an outdoor pond thru the summer.
 
ddavila06

ddavila06

Members
rinse then well after the bleach dip in room temp water. the plecos and algea eaters should eat the left overs without issues..
 
Avatar

Avatar

Plenipotentiary-at-large
Really?

I did something like hat once with a dilute hydrogen peroxide solution for hair algae on Anubias (just the leaves not the roots - worked great) but never with bleach.

At what strength with bleach and for how long? Roots and all? Suppose one could always treat the rinse water with Prime/Safe to bind any lingering chlorine. Just curious as have learned that algae just comes back until the right balance is established among the water/light/nutrients in the tank.
 
Beeman

Beeman

Members
I have no issues at all with algae in my tanks. Low light, big frequent water changes I suppose are keeping the big nasty in check! Thanks for the input:)
 
Chicklid

Chicklid

Members
I had some brush algae plaguing my plants, but I fixed it by dipping them in a 1 part bleach to 19 parts water solution for about 3-4 minutes. I rinsed them really well afterwards and voila! It's been several weeks and I have no algae whatsoever on my plants or in my tank.
 
Avatar

Avatar

Plenipotentiary-at-large
One more thing

Beeman said:
I have no issues at all with algae in my tanks. Low light, big frequent water changes I suppose are keeping the big nasty in check! Thanks for the input:)
Click to expand...

Wasn't implying that you did, merely relating the former exalted state of my own un-enlightenment.

So this 20 to 1 ratio for water/bleach for 3-4 minutes is safe for the roots as well? I've pretty much arrested all the hair/brush algae growth in my tanks but it would be nice to see it all gone rather than waiting for it to wither away and disappear altogether which could take many months.
 
Beeman

Beeman

Members
I can indeed attest to the wonders of a mild bleach bath. I've never allowed algae to approach gross-scale, but a brief bath and a thorough rinse and it's just gone! But I must emphasize THOROUGH RINSE. I may be going overboard, but after the bleach bath, I soak in scalding tap-water, then in cold water(this for plastics obviously). I would be sick if I returned to my fish belly-up,and ashamed to post it as well, regardless the educational value! I only know that I've been following this procedure for some time now, with no ill affect.
 
Chicklid

Chicklid

Members
It was safe on the roots as well. I soaked the ENTIRE plant with no ill effects.

Avatar said:
Wasn't implying that you did, merely relating the former exalted state of my own un-enlightenment.

So this 20 to 1 ratio for water/bleach for 3-4 minutes is safe for the roots as well? I've pretty much arrested all the hair/brush algae growth in my tanks but it would be nice to see it all gone rather than waiting for it to wither away and disappear altogether which could take many months.
Click to expand...
 
cabinetmkr39

cabinetmkr39

DavidG / CCA Member
Hydrogen Peroxide

Avatar said:
I did something like hat once with a dilute hydrogen peroxide solution for hair algae on Anubias (just the leaves not the roots - worked great) but never with bleach.1

1

At what strength with bleach and for how long? Roots and all? Suppose one could always treat the rinse water with Prime/Safe to bind any lingering chlorine. Just curious as have learned that algae just comes back until the right balance is established among the water/light/nutrients in the tank.
Click to expand...

I've used the Hydrogen Peroxide also, Tanks and my Pond.
 
B

b considine

a dude playing a dude disguised as another dude
For in situ algae treatment, 1) turn off anything that creates water movement and 2) squirt liberally with hydrogen peroxide, 3) wait a while, 4) perform water change.

That's my routine, at any rate.

Blaise
 
Tony

Tony

Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
Good thread going here. I'm also bringing in some plants (anubias) from out-of-doors and have a bunch of green hair algae. Going to give one of the two methods a shot.

Thanks guys.
 
Tony

Tony

Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
Oh yeah - Amano shrimp and true Siamese algae eaters will take care of black beard (ARG Mateys!) algae.
 
Beeman

Beeman

Members
b considine said:
For in situ algae treatment, 1) turn off anything that creates water movement and 2) squirt liberally with hydrogen peroxide, 3) wait a while, 4) perform water change.

That's my routine, at any rate.

Blaise
Click to expand...

Directly into the tank?! With the slippery inhabitants?! With no ill affect?! Or have I missed something here? I probably would prefer that to bleach, but have never used it.
 
B

b considine

a dude playing a dude disguised as another dude
Beeman said:
Directly into the tank?! With the slippery inhabitants?! With no ill affect?! Or have I missed something here? I probably would prefer that to bleach, but have never used it.
Click to expand...

Yes, directly into the tank and onto the affected leaves/glass/etc. I've never noted any issue with fish. The peroxide is diluted by the water and the bubbles are oxygen.

I have saturated my foreground when battling cladophora on more than one occasion.

Algae will turn grey a day or so later, then disappear.

As always, YMMV.

Blaise
 
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