jarrod0987
Aquarium Advice FINatic
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2005
- Messages
- 512
So I have had a 20 Gal Planted with dirt for almost a year now.
It has always had traces of BBA.
The best thing I ever did to get rid of BBA was to cut those leafs. I almost had it wiped out.
Excel in the tank water did nothing.
Excel applied directly did work but the daily dose is to small to accomplish much.
Peroxide in the tank water did nothing.
Peroxide applied directly in a less then 3% solution worked but also burned the leaf.
I have been hearing the constant mantra of Water Changes on this issue for along time. The claim is that it is organics building up that cause the BBA to flourish. I decided to test it.
This tank has had periods of anywhere from 30% 2x a week to none for a month. It has also had periods of using a lot of organic removers such as activated carbon (ROX) and Purigen.
It made no major difference.
Just to really debunk this whole WC gets rid of BBA argument I decided to increase my WC to 60% 2x a week for 1 month as well as re implementing fresh Purigen.
Guess what......Didn't work. If anything I think I see tiny spots of it starting in places it never was before.
I also added 2 Amano shrimp which are said to eat BBA. Most people claim amazing results from adding one. I added 2 to my 20 gal. I do see them eating it. I do see a slight improvement in certain leaves after about a month. It would take a very long time to beat BBA this way. The one person I believe is a true expert on certain species based on experience is Rachel O' Leary. She is the one who sold me the Amano and even gave me a free one. She said she did not believe one would do much and recommends many more. I believe she is right at this point. I would want to have at least 10 to get this problem cleared up. Cutting leaves would probably be as good with a smaller number.
It has always had traces of BBA.
The best thing I ever did to get rid of BBA was to cut those leafs. I almost had it wiped out.
Excel in the tank water did nothing.
Excel applied directly did work but the daily dose is to small to accomplish much.
Peroxide in the tank water did nothing.
Peroxide applied directly in a less then 3% solution worked but also burned the leaf.
I have been hearing the constant mantra of Water Changes on this issue for along time. The claim is that it is organics building up that cause the BBA to flourish. I decided to test it.
This tank has had periods of anywhere from 30% 2x a week to none for a month. It has also had periods of using a lot of organic removers such as activated carbon (ROX) and Purigen.
It made no major difference.
Just to really debunk this whole WC gets rid of BBA argument I decided to increase my WC to 60% 2x a week for 1 month as well as re implementing fresh Purigen.
Guess what......Didn't work. If anything I think I see tiny spots of it starting in places it never was before.
I also added 2 Amano shrimp which are said to eat BBA. Most people claim amazing results from adding one. I added 2 to my 20 gal. I do see them eating it. I do see a slight improvement in certain leaves after about a month. It would take a very long time to beat BBA this way. The one person I believe is a true expert on certain species based on experience is Rachel O' Leary. She is the one who sold me the Amano and even gave me a free one. She said she did not believe one would do much and recommends many more. I believe she is right at this point. I would want to have at least 10 to get this problem cleared up. Cutting leaves would probably be as good with a smaller number.