HC with BBA - can it be saved, or is it a lost cause?

sarahspins · 02-13-2013, 07:57 PM

Not sure if the rocks I put in the tank caused the outbreak or what, but now I have BBA all over the rocks and quite a bit all throughout my HC (which had carpeted nicely before it got hit bad).. it's basically impossible to scrub off, and I'm very frustrated. I've taken the rocks out and soaked them in H2O2 but I'm not sure what to do next.

I have RCS in this tank (mostly juvies) but they don't seem to be making much of a dent in the BBA. Would it be better to cut my losses and start over? I'm thinking I'll relocate the shrimp and just pull up all the infected HC, but if it can be saved somehow, I'm willing to try.

steven p · 02-13-2013, 08:24 PM

Peroxide worked on green algae for me, not so much on the little black tufts... Toothbrush vs. Hardscape algae is an interesting fight, if you haven't already gotten a front seat show.

Or... You could be a gangster and farm some up on a rock so it has a place to grow aside from the plants?
The plants? You'd be surprised what access to air can do for them if you treat them right.

The cause? Isn't it always a loss of balance? Any co2 added? DIY can be frantic and subtle daily changes in room temp can turn it up or down.

sarahspins · 02-13-2013, 08:28 PM

I think the cause was low nitrates to be honest.. but I'm not sure. From what I understand BBA doesn't just spring up from nowhere.. I'm 99% certain it came in on these rocks since that's where most of it is concentrated, but there are little bunches of it everywhere now.

I think I may just pull the HC up and grow it emmersed for a while.. worst case I'll still have to toss it.

**ThatGuyWithTheFish** · 02-13-2013, 08:29 PM

Let's see a pic.

sarahspins · 02-13-2013, 08:33 PM

Well I'm not near the tank right now, but I can get one tonight

leo1234 · 02-14-2013, 10:43 AM

Overdose excel or api co2 booster that will help with the bba. But take out your shrimps first. I don't take mine out but just to be safe.

02-13-2013, 07:57 PM	#1
sarahspins Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: TX Posts: 304	HC with BBA - can it be saved, or is it a lost cause? Not sure if the rocks I put in the tank caused the outbreak or what, but now I have BBA all over the rocks and quite a bit all throughout my HC (which had carpeted nicely before it got hit bad).. it's basically impossible to scrub off, and I'm very frustrated. I've taken the rocks out and soaked them in H2O2 but I'm not sure what to do next. I have RCS in this tank (mostly juvies) but they don't seem to be making much of a dent in the BBA. Would it be better to cut my losses and start over? I'm thinking I'll relocate the shrimp and just pull up all the infected HC, but if it can be saved somehow, I'm willing to try.

02-13-2013, 08:24 PM	#2
steven p Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: columbus, ne Posts: 1,050	Peroxide worked on green algae for me, not so much on the little black tufts... Toothbrush vs. Hardscape algae is an interesting fight, if you haven't already gotten a front seat show. Or... You could be a gangster and farm some up on a rock so it has a place to grow aside from the plants? The plants? You'd be surprised what access to air can do for them if you treat them right. The cause? Isn't it always a loss of balance? Any co2 added? DIY can be frantic and subtle daily changes in room temp can turn it up or down. __________________ this is a hot link

02-13-2013, 08:29 PM	#4
ThatGuyWithTheFish Honeycomb Cats! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (18/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 1,666	Let's see a pic. __________________ 20G Long Hi-Tech: My Golden Rule of planted tanks: WWTAD- "What would Takashi Amano do?" RAOK Club #69

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02-13-2013, 08:28 PM	#3
sarahspins Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: TX Posts: 304	I think the cause was low nitrates to be honest.. but I'm not sure. From what I understand BBA doesn't just spring up from nowhere.. I'm 99% certain it came in on these rocks since that's where most of it is concentrated, but there are little bunches of it everywhere now. I think I may just pull the HC up and grow it emmersed for a while.. worst case I'll still have to toss it.

02-13-2013, 08:33 PM	#5
sarahspins Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: TX Posts: 304	Well I'm not near the tank right now, but I can get one tonight

02-14-2013, 10:43 AM	#6
leo1234 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (17/100%) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lynn,ma Posts: 540	Overdose excel or api co2 booster that will help with the bba. But take out your shrimps first. I don't take mine out but just to be safe.