Last Thursday, I started an experiment in my 20 high gambusia fry tank. It has been plagued with BGA. It was so bad the plants get covered and there were webs of cyano between the branches and leaves. The substrate had a carpet of thick BGA covering, perhaps 90% of the area. This happened before and I cleaned everything and did wc but it came back
I finally broke down and ordered an algacide from aquariumplants.com that was supposed to do the trick. When I got it and read the label I found that it was erethromycin.
I dosed according to the directions, turned off the light, and put some black paper on the back of the tank to help shield the tank from sunlight.
Two days later, the BGA seemed to be halted and less healthy, but still there. The fry were fine. I removed and washed off all the plants and replaced them. I also skimmed, washed, and returned the sand.
Now it's been 5 days since dosing. The tank is squeaky clean and the fry are still fine. I'm still watching to see if there are any deleterious effects on the fish or if the BGA comes back, but so far I am convinced it was effective and worthwhile.
I realize some will be concerned about creating resistant strains. To that I would apply an analogy with a patient who is dying of a massive infection. At that point the issue of resistant strains pales in comparison to the need to save the life of the patient.
I would be interested in input from others on this experiment, particularly from folks who have actually tried Erythro as opposed to opinions derived from reading literature.
I finally broke down and ordered an algacide from aquariumplants.com that was supposed to do the trick. When I got it and read the label I found that it was erethromycin.
I dosed according to the directions, turned off the light, and put some black paper on the back of the tank to help shield the tank from sunlight.
Two days later, the BGA seemed to be halted and less healthy, but still there. The fry were fine. I removed and washed off all the plants and replaced them. I also skimmed, washed, and returned the sand.
Now it's been 5 days since dosing. The tank is squeaky clean and the fry are still fine. I'm still watching to see if there are any deleterious effects on the fish or if the BGA comes back, but so far I am convinced it was effective and worthwhile.
I realize some will be concerned about creating resistant strains. To that I would apply an analogy with a patient who is dying of a massive infection. At that point the issue of resistant strains pales in comparison to the need to save the life of the patient.
I would be interested in input from others on this experiment, particularly from folks who have actually tried Erythro as opposed to opinions derived from reading literature.