The algae bloom was problematic enough yesterday to make the water very cloudy and dirty up the front glass. I brushed off the front glass and did a 50% water change in both aquariums. While removing the water, I also cleaned out the hang-on filters and stuffed them with Barley straw. This product is meant to inhibit the growth of certain forms of algae. I read online that the method can be reproduced in laboratories but is not always successful on all types of algae. Time will tell. The product is good for six months. It's effect on algae occurs as it decomposes in the filter.
After the water change yesterday, I added the following conditioners:
EasyBalance: 10 ml per 10 gallons of aquarium water.
Tetra's Blackwater Extract: 10 ml per 10 gallons of aquarium water.
AlgaeFix: 14 drops per 10 gallons of aquarium water.
PH Down: As needed to keep the PH between 6.5 and 7.0.
(PH is already easily softened because of the water change using only Reverse Osmosis water.)
Following the water change and conditioning, a yellowish cloudiness appeared probably because the ingredients killed off some of the floating algae. The blackwater extract does tint the water a bit as well.
This morning, the aquariums are much clearer and the algae bloom has visibly subsided. It will be interesting to see if the algae on walls and plants regresses with time.
I want to mention that I added the blackwater extract because I have a hunch this might also have anti-algal properties. The Tetra product does not mention this, but one of the main ingredients is an extract of peat. I haven't found a direct link online but some limited information about tannic acid. I do recall that algae broke out rapidly in my aquariums after I stopped using peat. Can't place a direct cause and effect on this since that is not the only modification that might have cause algae.
I have not yet received all the ingredients for the PPS-Pro maintenance method. Therefore, I am holding off on fertilizers until I am able to begin the PPS-Pro routine. From now on though, I will do a 50% water change and continue with the above-mentioned conditioners if their combination show promise. This should not interfere with PPS-Pro.
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