algee problems

[Danny Daniel]

i have a problem with alge its growing everywhere in the FT the GB, even in the rockwool.

 

the alge on the rock wool is already turned into little algee plants lol.

 

i think it is also giving problems in making my PH go up high,

 

what is a safe way to get ride of the Algee?

 

 

[Hydroponics Curacao]

I think you have to clean the algea. And don't let the water get in touch with the sun. That's the most important.

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Danny,

Algae needs sunlight, water and nutrients to grow.However, they don't like water movement and prefer slow moving or near stagnant water, these are the conditions under which they become prolific growers. The more water movement we create in AP, the more minimal algae growth becomes. If water covers the media algae will grow on it. We usually allow water to rise up to a couple inches beneath the surface. I noticed your system is in a greenhouse, and will grow with high humidity in an enclosed environment as well. If you find algae building up in the FT you can cover it with shade cloth and increase your flowrate. If you have more than enough sunlight in the GH you can cover with some shading. As Hc suggest you can clean the existing algae with chlorine or similar, being careful to wash with water and dry anything before you put it back into the system as chlorine will harm your AP.

[Danny Daniel]

i will just try to wipe it clean with a dishwasher sponge(new one)

 

the water rises just under the grow media a few inches under it. the top of the GB is pretty dry, but the rock wool are always wet it seems like.

 

the FT is covered with a plastic table cloth, well the cloth is around the GB covering the sides of which light can enter the tank.(ill try to take some pictures).

 

i cant berly move the AP system the hydroton and water make it super heavy, i was lucky enough to have a pallet jack handy to move it lol.

 

thanks for the help :).

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Danny,

Generally algae is not that harmful to AP systems but in large mass, they can rob systems of oxygen to the point of killing fish in the FT, slowing plant growth and help in creating conditions for harmful bacteria to thrive, although I haven't yet heard of anyone on this forum going through this experience so far. We should manage algae growth as best as possible. Looking forward to the pics

[Danny Daniel]

i have a light on top of the GB, im thinking that might be adding to the growth of algae, but i will do my best to get rid of the algae in the system.

 

don't fish eat algae?  maybe the fish might clean there own tank  :p lol.

 

Edit: I will get the pics up 2marrow in the morning.

[Danny Daniel]

i bought this thing called  algae control from Tetra

http://www.petco.com/product/105281/Tetra-Algae-Control.aspx 

 

if i was to put some of this in the water, and in the GB would this help???

 

also here are the pics :)

 

http://imageshack.us/g/818/dsc00108w.jpg/

 

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/3762/dsc00108w.jpg
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/2743/dsc00109ew.jpg
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/3160/dsc00110ly.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/7291/dsc00111lw.jpg

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Danny,

From these pics I see you really have very little algae problems.There is always going to be some amount of algae in an AP system, all we can really do is to control and contain it. When the plants grow to size in the GB, the shading will eliminate most of the algae problems there and shading other parts of your system should take care of the rest.

[Danny Daniel]

sounds good thanks, i feel much better i was thinking the algae was going to be a big problem, but seems like i shouldn't worry to much.

 

Just for having an understanding of the product, if i was to add a little bit of the algae control would it be safe for my system?

http://www.petco.com/product/105281/Tetra-Algae-Control.aspx    the chemicals in the product should be here in the site.

 

thanks for all the help :).

 

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Danny,

Sorry I don't have the time to go through it but here is the MSDS on the product you're asking about.

http://whatsinproducts.com/msds/20012017%20MSDS%20tetra%20Pond%20Al...

[Danny Daniel]

Hi Harold,

   Thanks for the help :), looking at the MSDS it seems pretty same safe, but there is a few things about the product that i dunno if i should use or not.

 

also it says there is no info on what ingredients is listed :/. Its says its not safe for water but its for treating water lol.

 

"Water hazard class 1 (German Regulations) (self-assesment), slightly hazardous for water, do not allow undiluted product  or large quantities of it reach ground water, water course or sewege system"

 

Is this just saying its not safe for drinking lol.

 

im going to probably put a few drops right on the algae in the FT and just see what happens , a few drops wouldn't hard the system im thinking its not that strong.

 

but the algae seems like its not getting worse or better just bout the same.

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Danny,

A marine environment with fish has some drawbacks. Water ecosystems are susceptible to a hazard know as bio-magnification. Toxic substances (heavy metals etc.) enter the fish tissue and are magnified, sometimes a thousand times their original value and become extremely hazardous for human consumption. That is why most AP'ers are very cautious when adding anything or supplementing to an AP system. AP systems are not complex, are simple to maintain, and requires very minimal inputs, but an anxious operator, like myself, always push these limits, and then have to learn from both the mistakes and the successes. Personally, my choice would be, not to add anything that I'm unsure about.

[Danny Daniel]

:))) thanks so much Harold, i will follow your advice and wait it out a bit,seems like it might be going away a bit.

 

again thanks for the advice :).