CO2 and other

[androo303]

Let me firstly say thank you to the ovas membership for assisting me on my planted endeavor. I have a couple of questions...

1. How many bps or bpm should I have for my tank of 24g with a 2.7 wpg? I've just started the EI dosing method and will be into the full swing of things in about two weeks (thanks Erol).

2. I have what looks like black brush algae on my driftwood... Will the dosing and co2 clear this up? I have a bushy nose pleco and 2 Siamese algae eaters to help but it seems like it may be the issue with depleting my plants of nutrients.

***update: I did some diving around the web over the past 20 minutes and found this other forum for guppies. The OP did many experiments regarding the use of HP (H2O2) and reports back quite frequently with great results. I may try starting Monday and will report back...

Link: http://www.guppies.com/forums/showthread.php/21075-BBA-Thread-Hair-Algae-Kill-with-Hydrogen-Peroxide-H2O2

[daworldisblack]

H2O2 definitely works well for BBA. Just need to turn off flow for a little while and just use a syringe to apply topically to the affected areas. It will bubble for a little while and you'll notice them change colours the next day.. which is a good thing. If BBA persists, there could be root issues but if your dosing strategy is in full swing , it will help greatly and hopefully you minimize the amount of BBA and occasional topical treatments are all you need for maintenance.

[pm]

2. I have what looks like black brush algae on my driftwood... Will the dosing and co2 clear this up?

I had a BBA outbreak before I got my pressurized system setup right.  The co2 did not clear it up, but it seemed to prevent it from spreading or growing.  It did not make it go away.  I used spot dosing of Excel and/or H2O2 (as per the previous comment), which turned the BBA pink (by the next day).  Then my shrimp (amano and cherry) seemed to finally be interested in it.

If the driftwood can be removed, it is super easy to spot treat the BBA with H2O2.

[charlie]

Hey Andrew, regarding Bubble count, it will vary from tank to tank, there is no standard rate across the board. it is very dependent on several factor such as lighting types of plant , diffusion etc.
My usual recommendations are to start @ 2 BPS let it go for 2-3 days BTW never adjust co2  rates if you are not going to be around for the day to monitor your tank. ideally you want to have 1 PH point drop which is a good indication of 25-30 PPM, there after you can tweak it.
Take a sample of water mid way through your photo period -test the PH & record it - leave that sample of water in a container outside of the tank( shelf etc)after 24 hrs test the PH again if you have a rise of 1 PH point you are in the ball park of 25-30 PPm
example Lights on @ 12.00 noon & off @ 9.00PM
Take a sample @ around 4.30 PM & test PH , let`s say it reads 6.5
Next day @ around 4.30 PM test the PH of the same sample you left on the shelf
If you have around  7.5 you are in the ballpark
if it`s below 7.5 you need to adjust BPS & let it run for a few days & repeat test.
A drop checker will also help in asserting co 2 levels, no harm doing both.
Hope that helps.
Errol

[fischkopp]

If the driftwood can be removed, it is super easy to spot treat the BBA with H2O2.

You can also take it to the sink and run some hot water from the tap over it.

[wolfiewill]

Hey Andrew, regarding Bubble count, it will vary from tank to tank, there is no standard rate across the board. it is very dependent on several factor such as lighting types of plant , diffusion etc.
My usual recommendations are to start @ 2 BPS let it go for 2-3 days BTW never adjust co2  rates if you are not going to be around for the day to monitor your tank. ideally you want to have 1 PH point drop which is a good indication of 25-30 PPM, there after you can tweak it.
Take a sample of water mid way through your photo period -test the PH & record it - leave that sample of water in a container outside of the tank( shelf etc)after 24 hrs test the PH again if you have a rise of 1 PH point you are in the ball park of 25-30 ppm
example Lights on @ 12.00 noon & off @ 9.00PM
Take a sample @ around 4.30 PM & test PH , let`s say it reads 6.5
Next day @ around 4.30 PM test the PH of the same sample you left on the shelf
If you have around  7.5 you are in the ballpark
if it`s below 7.5 you need to adjust BPS & let it run for a few days & repeat test.
A drop checker will also help in asserting co 2 levels, no harm doing both.
Hope that helps.
Errol

Errol, that's something I've never heard of, but I like! I use the KH and pH test results to interpolate on a CO2 chart to do the same thing. But I do a lot of pH/KH testing (lights on/off, middle of the night cycle, etc.) and I am finding that the results you have suggested for 25 to 30 ppm are bang on. My night time pH is almost exactly 1 pH unit higher than the highest point during the 'lights on' cycle. Cheers.