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algae and algae spores in filter?
- Thread starter Mitchel
- Start date
_Maq_
Member
There are some generally acknowledged truths about algae:
(1) Algae spores are ever present and you cannot sterilize your tank.
(2) Algae are ever present in any tank, but invasive growth of any algae is a sign of some kind of imbalance.
(3) If you are about to follow the same methods, you are quite likely to suffer the same troubles, incl. algae.
(4) Organic pollutants seem to be an important trigger for algae growth. There are methods to keep organic pollution lower.
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As for your filter material, you can disinfect it by hydrogen peroxide bath. Also, drying it on direct sunlight would help to minimize future infestation. Such a precaution is a good thing, but see above No. (3).
(Some foams and plastics suffer in H2O2 bath. Sometimes it's better to get new ones.)
(1) Algae spores are ever present and you cannot sterilize your tank.
(2) Algae are ever present in any tank, but invasive growth of any algae is a sign of some kind of imbalance.
(3) If you are about to follow the same methods, you are quite likely to suffer the same troubles, incl. algae.
(4) Organic pollutants seem to be an important trigger for algae growth. There are methods to keep organic pollution lower.
---
As for your filter material, you can disinfect it by hydrogen peroxide bath. Also, drying it on direct sunlight would help to minimize future infestation. Such a precaution is a good thing, but see above No. (3).
(Some foams and plastics suffer in H2O2 bath. Sometimes it's better to get new ones.)
Andy Pierce
Member
Yes, you can sterilize some algae spores if you apply Algaecide regularly. It’s not a one time deal, as you can introduce new spores from new fish, new plants, tap water and even fall out from air for certain algae. If you follow Excel instruction to dose regularly, you can eliminate BBA and a few other algae, but not all algae. There is not just one but many algae, source and causes. No Algaecide is full spectrum effective against all algae, short of the nuclear option of chlorination to kill everything.
Hi @_Maq_ & Everyone,
Use of a UV-C sterilizer will kill water-borne algae and fungal spores. This approach requires that the so-called 'dwell time' and UV-C dosage is optimized. No chemicals required.
JPC
ElleDee
Member
I think the point is not that algae spores cannot be killed, but that they are constantly reintroduced from the environment, so there's not much to be gained by nuking everything and starting over with "clean" materials, especially if you haven't corrected the underlying issue that caused the algae to be such a problem to begin with. Sometimes starting over is helpful, but only if you adjust your methods as well. Spending effort on not contaminating your do-over tank with the spores from your previous failure is not a great use of time.
But I take the point about proper UV is a fix for water born algae. Or rather, I have heard it's great for green water, but I don't have personal experience with it. Same with erythromycin and BGA.
But I take the point about proper UV is a fix for water born algae. Or rather, I have heard it's great for green water, but I don't have personal experience with it. Same with erythromycin and BGA.
Even though it’s non chemical, UV triggers formation of ozone that kills ick, fungus and algae spores, so its effect is equivalent peroxide. I spray peroxide on exposed plants and surfaces when I drain down the tank in WC.
Hi @tiger15
Yes, I was aware of what you've pointed out. But, thanks a lot for adding it for the benefit of everyone.
In order to get the desired effect from UV, it's perhaps worth stressing that it needs to be UV-C (nominally 254 nm wavelength).
JPC
_Maq_
Member
I'm trying to employ common sense; if I'm wrong, please, correct me:
I tend to count algae under the term "microbes". I admit it's imprecise but my point is that all these small organisms form a single whole which effectively runs our tanks. Do I want to kill them? Definitely not. Do I know a way to kill some and not to harm others? Hardly so.
I wonder how can UV-C lamp kill only algae and harmful fungi and not to kill "good" microbes, par example nitrifying ones. They live mostly settled, that's true. But majority of algae in our tanks are benthic or epiphytic, i.e. growing on surfaces. UV lamp may possibly harm them, but so it'll harm beneficiary microbes, too.
Based on such grounds, UV is not a part of my (modest) arsenal. Am I mistaken?
Hi @_Maq_
My understanding is that nitrifying bacteria preferentially multiply in the absence of light. For that reason, the classic canister filter is an ideal environment in which they can flourish. At least, that was the thinking a few years ago! They colonize the biological filter and will not be exposed to the UV-C. I only switch my UV-C sterilizer ON for a few hours or minutes at a time. In short, I only use the UV-C sterilizer when the advantages of using it outwieigh the disadvantages. Of recent, I'm not dependent on nitrifying bacteria. I am letting plants take over the job of water purification. More on that topic at a later stage.
JPC
Hi @Mitchel
With which species of algae and/or cyanobacteria have you had problems? Perhaps you could attach some photos?
JPC
_Maq_
Member
I've read that majority of nitrification occurs in the sediment, but also in the water column. When reading papers on this topic, light does not seem to be of scientists' concern. So, I take it that these microbes are only moderately inhibited by light.
I've got no filters in my tanks yet I can detect nitrification by pH moves where bicarbonates are low. I regulate it by changing the NH4 : NO3 ratio. Interestingly, nitrification runs well in my tanks where pH is well below 6.
The tank was in great shape and healty. But I had a long time hospitalization. When I got home, everything was covered in algae. And I just don't want to spend a lot of time cleaning up the mess.
That's why I'm going to start all over. Tank is empty now.
I think I will let the filtermedium out to dry in the sun for now and based on the comments I can conclude that it's save enough to start over with the old media, except de foam ones.
Txs for all the answers everyone 👍
Hi @_Maq_
The following paper deals with photoinhibition of nitrifying bacteria. Hope you can track it down. I was hoping to get you a direct link but was unsuccessful.
J. Gen. App!. Microbiol., 30, 151-166 (1984)
PHOTOINHIBITION AND RECOVERY OF NHOXIDIZING
BACTERIA AND NOTOXIDIZING
BACTERIA
TAKAHITO YOSHIOKA AND YATSUKA SAIJO
Water Research Institute, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku,
Nagoya 464, Japan
(Received March 15, 1984)
Good luck!
JPC
_Maq_
Member
https://www.researchgate.net/public...xidizing_bacteria_and_NO2--oxidizing_bacteria
The paper is truly ancient. It was quite amazing to see what progress the science has made since then.
Nick potts
Member
UV is used a lot in ponds, also many marine and tropical fishkeepers employ them with good effect. The bacteria we need in our tanks are clearly not affected by UV sterilisers the way we use them or we would be seeing evidence of this.
They treat the water from the water column which is not home to much in the way of nitrifying bacteria, if it were then the people doing 90/100% water changes would be seeing issues also.
They treat the water from the water column which is not home to much in the way of nitrifying bacteria, if it were then the people doing 90/100% water changes would be seeing issues also.
_Maq_
Member
@jaypeecee , it is clear that since then the scientist can identify bacteria/archaea with much better certainty. Additionally, many new nitrogen dissimilators have been discovered, several novel pathways of nitrogen cycling.
I haven't made any review in this respect but I've got the impression that recent papers do not care much for photosensivity of these microbes. I certainly may be mistaken.
I haven't made any review in this respect but I've got the impression that recent papers do not care much for photosensivity of these microbes. I certainly may be mistaken.
Hi @_Maq_
And, at least one scientist was able to take advantage of such advances and he happened to be a fishkeeper - none other than Dr. Timothy A. Hovanec. Thank you, Dr Tim! A round of applause to you!
JPC
Hi @_Maq_
Here's an up-to-date paper but we'll have to settle for the Abstract only right now. Even then, it is very useful.
Influence of photoinhibition on nitrification by ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems - Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology
Photoinhibition of ammonia oxidation occurs widely in aquatic environments and could suppress the nitrification rate, lead to the composition variation of inorganic nitrogen and influence the stability of aquatic ecosystems. Both ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea are sensitive to...
link.springer.com
JPC
