Sturgeon and Algae chemicals

[new2natives]

i've read that you can't use algae killing chemicals in a tank that has sturgeon in it.
i assume thats true?
is there any way to kill the algae another way?

its the kind of stuff that makes the water cloudy, not the green algae.
(i know its an algae problem because i had another tank with the same problem, and after using the chemical it cleared up overnight)

 

[Noto]

I have no idea whether sturgeon are really sensitive to algicides, but...

If it's cloudy but not green, it's probably not algae. You may either have a bacterial bloom or just suspended sediment; either way a 'clarifying' chemical will cause the small particles to clump together so they're big enough to be caught by your filter. That and plenty of water changes should fix the problem with no need for algicides.

If it is algae, reducing nutrient and light input will starve it out.

 

[drewish]

Are you sure it isn't a bacterial bloom? If it isn't green water, it should be a bacterial bloom and the chemicals probably had the same effect. How long has the tank been established? And how frequent and how large of water changes are you doing?

 

[new2natives]

tank has been up 3-4 months. it is understocked and has plenty of filtration, so that shouldnt be the issue.

how do you know if its a bacterial bloom and not a algae bloom?

 

[drewish]

If it is green in color, it is probably an algae bloom. If it is white/smokey in color, then it is a bacterial bloom. Put some of the water in a white cup and you should be able to tell the difference.

Have you changed the filter media recently?

 

[Noto]

*EDIT* bah, too slow.

 

[new2natives]

no media changes recently, just water changes (maybe 40% every 5-6 days)

how do you clear a bact. bloom?
do you know if algacide is harmful to sturgeon?

 

[drewish]

Sorry Nate, you beat me the first time.

Water changes will clear a bacterial bloom. It isn't harmful but it sounds like your tank is re-cycling so I would check the levels until it clears up.

I don't know first hand but I wouldn't use chemicals with a sensitive fish.

 

[Moontanman]

I have used some products that cause what ever is clouding your water to clump together so they can be removed by a filter, Accu-Clear is one of those. There are others, your pet shop should carry them.

One more thing, cloudy water generally means something is wrong in your tank, too much decaying food or a filter that has stopped working properly, I would really want check out the cause instead of just wanting to clear up the water.

 

[new2natives]

i understand that... but the tank really is fine, lol. other than cloudy.
all water parameters have been 0 or next to nothing for 3 months.
i have 2 ac500s, and a small wetdry on a 150.
only 4 fish under 12", and my feeding is not too heavy

i put a little bit of the chemical in (about 1/3 what should be used on a 150) and in 2-3 hours i have noticed a difference

i will update as needed