ScapeFu Podcast Episode 20: Dave Chow, Twinstar and Algae in the Planted Aquarium

Algae can be the biggest obstacle for beginners in the hobby. It can quickly become overwhelming. In this episode, we hear from famed aquascaper Dave Chow on a new product designed to help with algae and we share our pro tips on algae management.

Aquascaping News

Reminder about the Aquatic Experience taking place in Chicago this November 7–9th. They have a Youtube video about what you can expect: Aquatic Experience – Chicago Video

Dave Chow, Twinstar and Algae in the Planted Aquarium

Common algae and tips on how to deal with them:

• Blue green algae/cyanobacteria – it smells! nitrogen fixing so it will deplete water of nitrogen
  • causes – low nitrates/high organics, poor water circulation
  • cure – increase KNO3, plant growth, black out, Excel/H202, Erythromycin
• Hair algae – long green strands especially in moss or small leaved plants
  • cause – excess iron levels
  • cure – manual removal, nutrient balance
• Fuzz algae – on leaves fuzzy appearance with small strands
  • causes – nutrient imbalance and low CO2
  • cure – SAE, nutrient balance, increase CO2
• Green spot algae – Green spots on glass or leaves
  • causes – excess K or low PO4
  • cure – maintenance on glass, increase PO4, Nerite snails, Otos and Plecos
• Green dust algae – zoospores attached to glass like firm
  • cause – unknown
  • cure – time, Nerite snails, Otocinclus and bristlenose plecos
• Brown algae – diatoms – new tank syndrome
  • cause imbalance
  • cure – time, manual removal Otocinclus/nerite snails
• Red/Black Brush (or beard) Algae – Rhodophyta
  • cause – nutrient imbalance and/or low pH
  • cure increase CO2 – Excel/H202 – bleach – SAE
• Green water – free floating single-cell euglenoid protists
  • causes new tank syndrome and imbalance
  • cure blackout diatom/micron filter UV sterilizer no large water changes
• Staghorn – Compsopogon
  • cause nutrient imbalance and low CO2
  • cure manual removal, water change, increase CO2, nutrient balance, Excel/H202, bleach

From The Forums

Focus on You

We skipped Focus on You this episode because we were running short on time. Next week we’ll be sure to share your feedback. Please continue to send us email, we love it!

Wrap Up

If you liked this episode, please leave us a written review in iTunes and mention us the next time you’re in the forums. We do no advertising so it’s the only way we have to spread the word about ScapeFu. It’s VERY much appreciated.

If you’d like to give us some feedback, you have choices:

• You can reach me, Art, via email at art@scapefu.com
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You can reach JJ at:
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* Jerrybforl Barr Report Forum

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• Facebook at J.Jurijs
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Speak soon! Have a great week!

Art

Other items referred to in this episode:

Electrolysis of water
Siamese Algae Eater
Nerite Snail
Otocinclus Catfish
EasyCarbo
Maracyn
Erythromycin
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation
Diatom
Water Deionization Process Explained
Hanns-Jürgen Krause
James’ Planted Tank – Algae Guide
‎www.gaplc.eu/en/judges
The War on Algae
Phyton-git

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