To Pike or not to Pike

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I've got both good algea, and cynobacteria. I know that I need to reset the timer on the light. I'm hoping, some day in the distant future my Java Moss will get serious and do something about the problem. It always worked will in past tanks but this one is different. In the past I was a poverty stricken school teacher and I had cheap crappy lights - great for Java Moss. Now I am a rich drug dealer and I got some very good lights. The curse of wealth...

Cichlid savage, you did not get to the meat of the thread yet. If this was your tank, what would you add?
 
emaughan;1253650; said:
I've got both good algea, and cynobacteria. I know that I need to reset the timer on the light. I'm hoping, some day in the distant future my Java Moss will get serious and do something about the problem. It always worked will in past tanks but this one is different. In the past I was a poverty stricken school teacher and I had cheap crappy lights - great for Java Moss. Now I am a rich drug dealer and I got some very good lights. The curse of wealth...
Cichlid savage, you did not get to the meat of the thread yet. If this was your tank, what would you add?

I'm hoping this is you trying to be funny....:ROFL:. The tank should start popping here pretty soon. If you are having problems with the algae though, just add some water sprite, it looks great, it also grows fast, which used up all the nutrients that the cynobacteria needs...;) I hear ya on the cheap lighting scenario....there myself at the moment....
 
Nope - I'm a drug dealer - but I do have a license to do so (PharmD).

I have been thinking of alternate type plants and if you say water sprite is "the Bomb" then I think I'll give it a try. I just need to figure a good way to establish it in my tank. Floating plants are out - love my overflow - but at 1900 gallons/hr I don't want it getting clogged with plants. Planting in the sand will not work well because the sand provides a poor substrate and I need to put on the mask and snorkle whenever I do gardening in my tank. Does sprite attach itself to other objects like wood and rock? That would be my best choice, add driftwood and establish plants on the wood.
 
Java Fern and crypts do, as does chain sword, those would be some great choices as well...;)

Not sure about the sprite though, I know you can do it just about any way and it will grow...lol..easy plant
 
cyanobacteria is a bacteria not an algae. thus lowering light levels isnt going to do much to stop it. antibiotics are the way to get rid of it.
 
saltydog_1;1254988; said:
cyanobacteria is a bacteria not an algae. thus lowering light levels isnt going to do much to stop it. antibiotics are the way to get rid of it.

Water changes, sucking it up, and adding faster growing plants that suck up the excess nutrients will help. Actually though, light has something to do with it. They live off of oxygen rich, high light areas. A lot of overflow filters and H.O.T filters get cynobacteria if they are close to windows....;)
 
saltydog_1;1254988; said:
cyanobacteria is a bacteria not an algae. thus lowering light levels isnt going to do much to stop it. antibiotics are the way to get rid of it.

Oh but it is a autotroph and not a heterotroph. Just because it is prokaryote and not a eukaryote does not mean it is automatically a consumer and not a producer.

Now with that said - yes antibiotics will work against cyanobacteria - I know, I'm a Pharmer. It is better though, IMHO, not to use antibiotics whenever possible. It waste money, builds up resistants in bacterial populations, kills off good bacteria (i.e. nitrosomas and nitrobacter), and does not get rid of the source of the problem.

Rarely do I use caps in forums - but this is one of those moments:
when treating cyanobacteria, DO NOT USE ANTIBIOTICS!

Now I'll take my :chillpill:
 
Smoooth...schooled us both!! LoL! You've got it handled. Did you ever PM Alex about his pikes?

Nick at NE CICHLIDS (also a vendor here) has some Crenicichla sp. 'cobra' for sale...thats a thought. Mikes Killer Fish in Denver has some good pikes as well, but his prices are kinda high.

You should get in touch with MTN Pike. They are great people, have practically all the pike species, are almost always doing orders. So I'm sure you could talk to them. Maybe even get a few fish! ;)
 
I was a science teacher before I went back for my PharmD. Made sure my students knew their kingdoms and critters.

No I have not contacted anyone exept my local dealer here in the Spings. He is getting in a Cobra, a couple of Xingu I and a couple of saxatilis (unknown species). I will not spill the beans on which if any are tempting me. I do not want to bias responses to this thread - which I think I've derailed somewhat (bad to do that to your own thread).

So back on track to all posters - if this was your tank, what would you add? (please be specific and pick your mostest bestest choice under the conditions given at the beginning)
 
So back on track to all posters - if this was your tank, what would you add? (please be specific and pick your mostest bestest choice under the conditions given at the beginning)

You can try Heros severus, or some Geophagus sp.
Other big fish like an Arowana, maybe.
In the end your fish will tell you who is living with whom.

Oh but it is a autotroph and not a heterotroph. Just because it is prokaryote and not a eukaryote does not mean it is automatically a consumer and not a producer.

Now with that said - yes antibiotics will work against cyanobacteria - I know, I'm a Pharmer. It is better though, IMHO, not to use antibiotics whenever possible. It waste money, builds up resistance in bacterial populations, kills off good bacteria (i.e. nitrosomas and nitrobacter), and does not get rid of the source of the problem.

Rarely do I use caps in forums - but this is one of those moments:
when treating cyanobacteria, DO NOT USE ANTIBIOTICS!

Cyano is more complex than credit is given. It has the ability to adapt to many environments including light and dark phases and can extract nitrogen from the atmosphere directly. It can survive in extremely low nutrient levels once established and can out compete many plants.

With that said, 400+gallons with a cyano outbreak would require some aggressive maintenance to prevent a serious outbreak. Activated carbon helps if it is of high quality.(low ash/phosphate free)

Water changes will help only if the source water is not the source of the nutrient. Otherwise, fuel to the fire.

Your light intensity and duration will have an affect on it's proliferation. An 8 hour cycle per day would be a stable constant to begin the battle.

Alkalinity/buffer affect cyano also. If water quality is degrading due to an accumulation of DOC's and reducing the pH, then WC's and a buffer may be needed to stabilize the system.

The use of Granulated Ferric Oxides in a reactor is an excellent way to reduce available phosphates(which are apparent). I especially prefer Warner Marine phoSar HC. The HC represents High Capacity. The product works much better and lasts longer than normal GFO's.

Identifying the source of the fuel for this outbreak and limiting it is a priority. Some forms of cyano and dinoflagellates can and do release toxins. Although usually an unsightly, slimy algae it can become a problem for more expensive sensitive fish.

Finally, if the cyano is introduced to a well maintained established system and water changes and carbon are not winning the battle, then the use of Eurthomycin is usually the fastest way to rid the tank of this nuisance. Albeit, too small a dosage will not kill all the bacteria and give it the ability to resist future doses. Still, the use should not be ruled out. Everything in this hobby has it's place. Knowing when and where that place is, is the key to success.

Big tanks are great! But mathematically they can be a bear to recover when water quality is neglected. Meaning lots of extra water changes, media replacements, adding up!

A 36w or higher UV may be a good investment on this system. It would help keep water bourne bacteria at a minimum(nitrifying bacteria grow on surfaces, hence "surface area" being so important), and prevent any green water episodes, not to mention a reduction in DOC's that normally would cause yellowing of the water.

I have kept very large tanks in both frsh and SW. Once you pass the 300g mark water quality issues can creep up and become a problem without a good understanding of the chemistry at hand and a good plan in the event something is wrong.
 
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