[scbrooks87]

Have you tested the levels yet to see how high salt levels are? I'd imagine for health reasons there's a fairly strict limit to sodium levels in tap water if you're hooked up to municipal water, since high sodium can cause dehydration.

May be worth just testing all params you can test for on the tap water to see if anything is abnormal.

-Scott

 

[DarkCobra]

Here the tapwater is GH=1, KH=8. The KH is almost completely from sodium bicarbonate, added by the water company to keep the deep artesian spring water from being too soft.

I used to experiment with burning off some KH with hydrochloric acid, producing both CO2 and sodium chloride. Salt levels during these experiments, some of which lasted for months, were generally equivalent to 1 to 2 tbsp. per 10G.

At one time or another during the hobby, I've had major fights with virtually every algae. Except BBA. Sure I've had it, but only minor amounts; easily removed and prevented from recurring.

Nothing conclusive, just a data point.

 

[BruceF]

I've heard a rumor that it is an iron problem but it is only a rumor.

 

[chibikaie]

Just wondering.
edit: Doesnt dechlorinator turn chlorine into sodium in some form? Herm..

No nuclear reactions going on in your aquarium, sorry.

Table salt is sodium chloride. You can also use the word salt to describe other compounds.

The most common dechlorinator is sodium thiosulfate. Obviously, this does contain sodium.

 

[danielt]

I've never heard of algae or plant for that matter that uses Sodium. If they indeed need some, it is a small amount. Which most likely will be present in any aquarium anyway.

Why don't you check how high is the kH. I have a hunch it is in the 10 or above range.

 

[dmagerl]

Why don't you check how high is the kH. I have a hunch it is in the 10 or above range.

Is this a known issue? MY KH is 20 and I've been battling BBA ever since I set up a tank,years ago.

 

[danielt]

Yes it is. Although just a hunch, kH will prevent the CO2 to be available in the water making BBA thrive. That, or BBA feeds on kH which is not unusual for an algae to do.

After trying several methods of eradicating it in my tank, I found that lowering the kH stopped its spread and now looks like it's retreating. Slowly, but at least it stopped spreading.

I use RO water only in my planted tanks. It's easy for me to mess with kH and gH either up or down.