i've recently read in a few articles that using co2 at pretty decent levels can control certain types of algae if not all.. can anyone confirm? harleyk?? what it is, is that i'm having trouble with staghorn and brush algae. it's so frustrating. what can you advise i do to get rid of it?
co2 vs algae
- Thread starter danepatrick
- Start date
i have another question. i have a uv sterilizer on the same tank as above, and i'm wondering if the uv will kill all types of algae (even the ones on the leaves) or just the green water type.
Howdy,
It's more of an indirect effect: CO2 reduces algae since it boosts growth of higher aquatic plants. This boost in growth creates increased competition for nutrients, and while the plants win, algae lose. You basically starve them. At least that's the theory behind it. I have had bad algae problems in a tank with CO2 administration before. Obviously, there are many many factors that play into this.
Regarding the effects of UV on attached algae: I asked the same thing several months ago in the "Set-up Forum". Maybe you can find it when you search for UV and my user name. Bottom line: Some people have noticed a slight decline in attached algae, but that is certainly not the primary area of application for UVs.
HarleyK
It's more of an indirect effect: CO2 reduces algae since it boosts growth of higher aquatic plants. This boost in growth creates increased competition for nutrients, and while the plants win, algae lose. You basically starve them. At least that's the theory behind it. I have had bad algae problems in a tank with CO2 administration before. Obviously, there are many many factors that play into this.
Regarding the effects of UV on attached algae: I asked the same thing several months ago in the "Set-up Forum". Maybe you can find it when you search for UV and my user name. Bottom line: Some people have noticed a slight decline in attached algae, but that is certainly not the primary area of application for UVs.
HarleyK