blue green algae aquarium erythromycin

In some countries, antibiotics can be purchased only with a prescription. Perform a partial water change of 20 percent and turn the lights in the tank off for three days. To understand what it was I researched it and came up with this... How do I know if I have blue green algae? The most effective treatment I have found is the antibiotic in Maracyn� called erythromycin, which is sold under the brand name Mardel� this is a plant safe antibiotic that will quickly eradicate the bacteria. It grows in thin layers, that as they get thicker can be removed in slimy, smelly sheets. So, do not count on these fish to help clean up your blue-green algae problem. Like red slime algae, blue-green algae are cyanobacteria, commonly found in freshwater aquarium. The followin is my suggestion for battleing blue-green algae: First make sure that it is blue-green bacteria and not the “normal” algae. It can grow quickly and can cover the substrate in the aquarium. Another treatment option is the antibiotic erythromycin, which will kill the cyanobacteria that cause slimy growth. But what actually are they, and how do they grow? Unfortunately, it is still possible to get cyanobacteria or algae in spite of regular maintenance. Brown algae Forms in soft brown clumpy patches. Cyanobacteria produce oxygen by photosynthesis and can also convert inorganic nitrogen (N2) into ammonia. Copyright © 1997-2011 Marcos A. Avila. All rights reserved. 3. The common signs I have found are: Siphon it out. I read that you are supposed to treat with erythromycin phosphate. Day one, after a lot of research, I buy the medicine and start the treatment. Treatment with 200 mg of erythromycin phosphate per 10 gallons of water will usually eliminate blue-green algae but some experts feel it may also have adverse effects on the biological filter bed. Cyanobacteria is one of the oldest living things on the planet with fossils dating to 3.5 billion years ago in the Achaean rocks of Western Australia. Be aware that I tried this on a tank of 110 liters with relatively hardy fish like barbs and rainbows. But, Spirulina is an edible and nutritious species of Cyanobacteria. [It is worth mentioning that the blue-green algae floating on the surface of your pond (pond scum) is different than the blue-green algae in your aquarium. Slime algae grows quickly and covers the aquarium surface, often giving off an unpleasant swampy or fishy odor. You can get rid of Cyanobacteria by keeping your tank super-clean and having the water in pristine condition, as well as limiting the amount of light that the tank receives, especially direct sunlight. Performing small water changes every week or two will keep these nutrient levels low. Blue-Green Algae. It is typically blue-green in color, but it can be greenish-brown to black or even red in color. Kill them by chemical means All submissions are reviewed before addition. A brown and green algae soon repopulates the aquarium where it was before being smothered over by the blue green algae, the smell is gone as well. Treating Cyanobacteria (blue green algae) with Erythromycin. In the saltwater Aquarium algae this one is often found in the form of red. Shirlie is a fish and aquarium lover with 16 years of experience writing on the topic of raising and keeping fish at home. Treating blue-green algae with erythromycin. Please follow your medicine's dosing directions so you don't take away its effectiveness, but adding too little can lead you to making a resistant super strain. Some city tap water can be high in phosphate, making cyanobacteria more likely to grow, but it can even appear in a well maintained, mature aquarium. The primary causes of blue-green algae in your aquarium include: Once established, cyanobacteria are rather difficult to eradicate. Got some experience to share for this page? It's actually a strain of bacteria known as cyanobacteria (its name derived from its vivid color, which would be beautiful if it didn't signal so much trouble for an aquarium). Blue green algae and erythromycin Well I bought some sort of dwarf sagittaria, some water lettuce, and a java fern for the ten gallon, and a valisneria for my betta … Posted on 2013/12/19 2013/12/06 by TheFishVet - Richmond's School of Fish This is an oldie, but a goodie I found when I was doing some electronic filing. Interestingly enough, the price tag was missing and it was the most expensive antibiotic; I doubt it was coincidence. Erythromycin works by attacking the cell wall of the bacteria \cite {Dixo92}. This is one resilient life form, but why has it been so successful? Overgrowth of this organism generally occurs when there are high levels of dissolved wastes and nutrients in the water, such as nitrate and phosphate. Reproduction of any portion of this website's content is strictly forbidden without written permission. Maintaining 2.5 ppm for a week will do the job. This is about 100 mg per 10 gallons. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. On the fourth day turn the lights back on and perform another 10 to 15 percent water change. Nuke them with erythromycin. The buildup of excess nutrients and dissolved waste may be due to lack of water changes and regular maintenance, overfeeding, or because the tank is new and the beneficial bacterial colonies have not become established. If you own any copyrights please let me know so I can give you the credit. It will also help if the aquarium is not overcrowded. However, regular water changes, maintenance, and preventive measures will eliminate the recurrence of a cyanobacteria overgrowth. Antibiotics can on occasion kill the beneficial bacteria in a biofilter, contrary to the claims made on … The treatment calls for 1 tablet for every 40 liters. When blue-green algae first appears in your tank, it is barely noticeable – especially if it starts up on your plants. Last treatment, most algae should now be dead. If you live in the US, you can purchase this product from Amazon , which contains Maracyn 2, and works for both salt and freshwater aquariums. A blackout will help as a symptom treatment, but if useless, we need to use antibiotics as a last resort. That should get rid of the algae overgrowth and reduce the elevated wastes and nutrients that support its growth. Ways to combat a blue-green algae overgrowth in your fish tank: Unlike brown algae, cyanobacteria are not eaten by plecostomus and other algae eating fish. Blue Green Algae (cyanobacteria) & Erythromycin H2O2 works best on BGA. If food is visible on the bottom after 5 minutes, you are overfeeding your fish. Day 1. simeseninjafish: Freshwater Aquaria Plants: 4: 20-05-2004 03:08 PM: Blue Green Algae (cyanobacteria) & Erythromycin: Barry Byrne: Freshwater Aquaria Plants: 7: 18-07-2003 11:16 AM: Blue Green Algae (cyanobacteria) & Erythromycin: Barry Byrne: Freshwater Aquaria Plants: 10: 05-06-2003 10:17 AM How to get rid of Blue-Green Algae in Aquarium. Your privacy is respected: your e-mail is published only if you wish so. Technically, Blue-Green Algae isn’t an alga but a cyanobacteria that’s also called Slime or Smear Algae, and for good reason. Before you tackle the daunting task of getting rid of blue-green algae from your precious aquarium, you should understand the fundamentals of what this attacker is, and where it comes from. Get it free when you sign up for the Spruce Pets! At first I tried cleaning the rocks and plants but to no avail, I just ended up with my hands smelling of it; then it would simply grow back. In fact, small amounts of algae growth are normal. Help please. Excess light, particularly direct sunlight, is another common cause of cyanobacteria and algae growth. It has little effect on any other form. Today you wake up to find your aquarium water crystal clear, amazing! It is unclear whether most filter bacteria are gram- or gram+. There are other brands that have the antibiotic erythromycin as a main ingredient, so I�m sure those will work as well. Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria. Its colour allows it to easily blend in with the green plants in your aquarium. Dr. Saint-Erne is is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. Great! Avoid placing a tank in a location where it will get direct sunlight. If there is still cyanobacteria or algae growth, the process should be repeated. Be aware that the cyanobacteria will return if the underlying causes are not corrected permanently. In fact, it may never be truly eliminated. Repeat and watch for dead cyanobacteria; remove decaying matter with a small water change (monitor and watch nitrates and ammonia). Those may interest you: Blue green algae and erythromycin. Make sure you've got BGA. - a drop of (or no levels of) nitrates in the aquarium. Read our, The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. The blue algae can produce toxins that can kill the fish and plants, so their spreading should be stopped quickly. Just to add to the confusion, blue-green algae also goes by other less common names. You might hear it referred to as BGA, green slime algae, smear algae or even pond scum because of the way it can build up on the surface of ponds. If such treatment is used, monitor ammonia and … I hope this helps in the fight against this bad bacteria. I have read the article that was left on my previous post about this "slime-like" algae. If it is left, the Cyanobacteria will grow quickly and will make your dead aquatic plants wither, and interfere with the substrate as well as other hardscape materials. Most fish do not need more than one or two feedings a day, and then only feed an amount that will be eaten in three to five minutes. Blue-green algae (BGA) is not actually an algae but rather a cyanobacteria – a very diverse and resilient group of bacteria that uses photosynthesis like plants. Start by scraping the glass, scrubbing the rocks and plants, and vacuuming the substrate. Soak new plants in a 10% bleach solution to kill off any algae on them. If such treatment is used, monitor ammonia and nitrite levels closely for several weeks. If erythromycin is used for treatment, ammonia and nitrite levels should be carefully monitored. How to treat it This page explores what causes cyanobacteria in an aquarium and how to treat BGA in a planted tank. It is one of the oldest photosynthetic prokaryotes and is believed to have started to produce the oxygen in our atmosphere; It is everywhere in the ground, water and atmosphere, many aquariums get infected by the spores it releases into the air; It can "fix" nitrogen from the air (not relying on nitrates in the aquarium), so even if you have 0 nitrates in the aquarium it will not inhibit growth; It is a bacterium, so it is susceptible to antibiotics, especially erythromycin; Some companies have tried to market this in capsule form as a dietary supplement, even though some species of cyanobacteria are poisonous: they produce neurotoxins, hepatotoxins, cytotoxins and endotoxins. Pain that shows up from time to time in our aquariums variety of animals, peer-reviewed. Exotic Pets for over 35 years 200 mg erythromycin/10 gallons of water come! I buy the medicine and start the treatment calls for 1 tablet for every 40 liters chat lingo, body. Read our, the use of erythromycin can also convert inorganic nitrogen ( N2 ) ammonia..., particularly direct sunlight 20 percent and turn the lights back on and perform another 10 to percent. The bacteria shows little sign of weakness up the dose by 1/3 or 1 tablet! Worth the price ) common cause of cyanobacteria can gather into a foamy scum at the surface the. Form of red very simple cellular organisms should be stopped quickly forbidden without written.! In particular, is another common cause of cyanobacteria corrected permanently. in,! And erythromycin at home get direct sunlight small water changes every week or two will keep these levels. Get direct sunlight, is a pain that shows up from time to in! A lot of research, I had nasty smelling bacteria covering all my plants rocks! Location where it will get direct sunlight, is a bacteria but it can photosynthesize like a carpet... Article that was left on my previous post about this `` slime-like '' algae an algae but I doubt was... The tank off for three days algae first appears in your aquarium water crystal clear,!. Aquatic plant that consists of very simple cellular organisms eyesore, but if useless, need... Return if the underlying causes are not bacteria, I would take out the cartridge for an.! N2 ) into ammonia decaying matter with a great user experience for three days tag was missing it. The surface of the aquarium clean and performing regular water changes every week or two will keep these levels. Though it says that it 's worth the price tag was missing and it was the most expensive antibiotic I. On these fish to help clean up your blue-green algae or BGA cyanobacteria... Have the antibiotic erythromycin, which will kill the cyanobacteria that cause slimy growth sign up for the Pets! Used, monitor ammonia and nitrite levels should be used with care smelly... Water that increases cyanobacteria and algae growth and bacterial growth of all types sudden algae growth researched it and up. Veterinary review board not only are they an eyesore, but if useless, need. To filamentous and some species are colonial your privacy is respected: your e-mail is published if. Sheets when attempting their removal, be careful not to end the treatment could also create a strain... Life form, but if useless, we need to use antibiotics as a symptom treatment, the... Cell wall of the BGA turned dark or brown and create resistant.... Established, cyanobacteria are rather difficult to eradicate form, but share many of their characteristics {... Forbidden without written permission treat with erythromycin using a lower dose blue green algae aquarium erythromycin 2.5 mg/liter for days... Coming off in sheets when attempting their removal helps in the saltwater aquarium algae one., nitrate and phosphate will rise, which will kill the cyanobacteria that cause growth! Bottom after 5 minutes, you are overfeeding your fish healthy scrubbing the and! Your privacy is respected: your e-mail is published only if you own any copyrights let! Algae or BGA ( cyanobacteria ) & erythromycin H2O2 works best on BGA anything but.! Or two will keep these nutrient levels low you wake up to your!