Lately I have been seeing a lot of hair algae issue threads and with the warmer weather coming I have formulated a simple experiment to better understand the growth and elimination of this pest algae. The experiment will be divided into two sections; a growth section and an elimination section. Details on how I plan to carry it out can be found below.
After my water change this weekend, rather than discard the water I will place it in two ten gallon tanks I have in my shed. These tanks will be kept outside in direct sunlight, and water circulation will be by empty hang on back filters. I will procure a sample of hair algae from somebody (I do not have any so Ill have to find some) and will be divided evenly into the two tanks.
Growth Phase
During the growth phase, I will add a small amount of frozen food to the tanks every three days or so (the same amount of food will be added at the same time measured via digital scale). On saturday I will perform one gallon water changes on only one of the tanks, while only topping off the other. Each week the total surface area covered in hair algae will be measured and the difference used to quantify a growth rate in both environments. After 1 - 2 months the growth phase will be over and the average growth rates of each environment compared. Each tank will be lit by natural sunlight, only have flow provided by the empty hob filter, and have no filtration or inhabitants to eliminate any other variables.
Elimination Phase
During the elimination phase, two elimination methods will be compared. After the growth phase, the amount of algae will be equalled in the two systems and a week to two weeks will be spent to bring the two environments to equal parameters (the parameters mimicking the best growth rate environment). Once equal, each tank will undergo a different treatment. One will be covered by a blanket 24/7 and the other will have gfo ran in the hob filter. The amount of gfo used will be equal to the recommended amount using brs calculator and will be changed every three days. Both system will get a one gallon water change every saturday. The elimination rate will be quantified by the reduction in surface area covered by hair algae. Upon elimination of hair algae in a single system the elimination phase will be considered over. The reduction rates will be compared.
Post Elimination Phase
Granted time allows, after the elimination phase is over the elimination methods will be continued but small amounts of frozen food will be added to each system as in the growth phase to test the ability of the elimation methods to keep the hair algae at bay. The gfo will be changed once a week with the weekly water changes. New growth will be quantified by the amount of surface area covered in hair algae. A month after upkeep, if hair algae has not returned the elimantion method will be stopped but food additon and water changes will be continued to see if the hair algae comes back or has been completely eliminated.
Remarks
Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Brandon
After my water change this weekend, rather than discard the water I will place it in two ten gallon tanks I have in my shed. These tanks will be kept outside in direct sunlight, and water circulation will be by empty hang on back filters. I will procure a sample of hair algae from somebody (I do not have any so Ill have to find some) and will be divided evenly into the two tanks.
Growth Phase
During the growth phase, I will add a small amount of frozen food to the tanks every three days or so (the same amount of food will be added at the same time measured via digital scale). On saturday I will perform one gallon water changes on only one of the tanks, while only topping off the other. Each week the total surface area covered in hair algae will be measured and the difference used to quantify a growth rate in both environments. After 1 - 2 months the growth phase will be over and the average growth rates of each environment compared. Each tank will be lit by natural sunlight, only have flow provided by the empty hob filter, and have no filtration or inhabitants to eliminate any other variables.
Elimination Phase
During the elimination phase, two elimination methods will be compared. After the growth phase, the amount of algae will be equalled in the two systems and a week to two weeks will be spent to bring the two environments to equal parameters (the parameters mimicking the best growth rate environment). Once equal, each tank will undergo a different treatment. One will be covered by a blanket 24/7 and the other will have gfo ran in the hob filter. The amount of gfo used will be equal to the recommended amount using brs calculator and will be changed every three days. Both system will get a one gallon water change every saturday. The elimination rate will be quantified by the reduction in surface area covered by hair algae. Upon elimination of hair algae in a single system the elimination phase will be considered over. The reduction rates will be compared.
Post Elimination Phase
Granted time allows, after the elimination phase is over the elimination methods will be continued but small amounts of frozen food will be added to each system as in the growth phase to test the ability of the elimation methods to keep the hair algae at bay. The gfo will be changed once a week with the weekly water changes. New growth will be quantified by the amount of surface area covered in hair algae. A month after upkeep, if hair algae has not returned the elimantion method will be stopped but food additon and water changes will be continued to see if the hair algae comes back or has been completely eliminated.
Remarks
Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Brandon
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