Cyanobacteria, Blue/Green & Red Slime Algae

[Carl]

I have updated the "Aquarium & Pond Answers" article, "Cyanobacteria, Blue/Green & Red Slime Algae"

Information and resources were updated.

Here is a quote from the treatment/Eradication section:
"Use as little added CO2 as needed for a planted freshwater aquarium; while good controlled aquarium studies are yet forthcoming, my observations are that aquariums with large amounts of added CO2 have a much higher propensity for cyanobacteria growth.
This study backs up my observations:
Common freshwater cyanobacteria grow in 100% CO2

For this reason I generally recommend systems such as in the Walstad that utilize a more natural approach to planted aquariums. This is also why the one filter that is unfortunately popular among planted aquarium keepers I do NOT recommend is the wet/dry as these are notorious for their need for added CO2.
Best would be a Fluidized Filter System."

Reference:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2006/07/blue-green-algae-in-aquariums.html

Carl

[Carl]

I have further updated the "Cyanobacteria, Blue/Green & Red Slime Algae" article.

Here is a snip from the Marine Aquarium Section of the article:
"Make sure that if macroalgae, which consume nitrates much faster than phosphates, eliminate all nitrates that this too can open the door to Cyanobacteria."

Reference:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2006/07/blue-green-algae-in-aquariums.html

Carl

[Carl]

I have updated the Aquarium Answers article about Blue-Green Algae/Cyanobacteria

This includes a new picture and more information

Here is a quote:
"What is also key is not all 6500K lights are equal as just as with paint, different light spectrums ("colors") can be mixed to make a specific Kelvin color temperature. "High End" LED fixtures such as TMC AquaBeam and GroBeam models have spectrums with much less of this useless light spectrum that Cyanobacteria thrive on. Unfortunately many of the popular LED sold by discounters such as the Current Satellite, Fluval, & Finnex have much of their light in the middle spectrums preferred by Cyannobacteria"


Reference:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2006/07/blue-green-algae-in-aquariums.html

Carl

[Carl]

I have once more updated the Aquarium/Pond Answers article about Blue-Green Algae/Cyanobacteria

Here is an excerpt from the treatment section:
"Improve aquarium lighting to include more actinic and daylight with less of the yellow/green visible light. Lights around 6500K are best for freshwater (8000K to 20,000K for marine aquariums), especially high output lamps. Standard incandescent lamps will cause more Cyanobacteria growth.

Consider T2 daylight lights and fixtures or Compact Fluorescent lamps that easily fit into most standard incandescent fixtures (these self ballasted 6500k lights can cost as little as $5).
Better yet, the use of full spectrum LED lights or Metal Halide lights as tests have shown total elimination of Cyanobacteria (providing other parameters to control Cyanobacteria are correct). When you consider that a LED light is good for 50,000 hours versus a VHO Power Compact such as the Current USA that is only 8,000 hours; the price is actually less.

More bluntly, lighting has been the biggest factor in Cyanobacteria bacteria (Blue/Green Algae) control and more specifically Quality LEDs (NOT low output Marineland Double Brights, Ecoxotic, Fluval, Finnex, Satellite, or similar cheap LEDs that have flooded the market by irresponsible sellers such as Amazon), followed by Metal Halide lights which have shown the biggest improvement due to the much lower green/yellow light energy output.

Even with more optimal lighting, shortening the photo period can often help as well.
As an example, if the lights are normally run 10 hours, try 8 or 9 hours and work down from here.

As well, make sure your lights and any glass/acrylic are clean, as dirt or hard water build up will block light energy. Since Cyanobacteria is better at using middle bands and diffused light than many plants, this may contribute to cyanobacteria growth."

www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2006/07/blue-green-algae-in-aquariums.html#treatment

Carl

[Carl]

I've updated this popular and older "Aquarium/Pond Answers article about Blue/Green Algae, more correctly known as Cyanobacteria

Here is an excerpt:
Health Risks

Cyanobacteria MAY produce neurotoxins, cytotoxins, endotoxins, and hepatotoxins, all of which are collectively known as cyanotoxins.
The keyword is 'MAY' as this is not the case with all Cyanobacteria, especially many that we find growing in our aquariums.

Specific toxins include, anatoxin-a, anatoxin-as, aplysiatoxin, cyanopeptolin, cylindrospermopsin, domoic acid, nodularin R (from Nodularia), neosaxitoxin, and saxitoxin. Many Cyanobacteria reproduce explosively under certain conditions. This results in algal blooms, which can become harmful to other species, and pose a danger to humans and animals, if the cyanobacteria involved produce these toxins.
Several cases of human poisoning have been documented, but a lack of knowledge prevents an accurate assessment of the risks and ditto as per documentation for dangers to fish in these waters.

As an interesting side note; some studies suggest that significant exposure to high levels of cyanobacteria producing toxins such as BMAA can cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). People living within half a mile of cyanobacterially contaminated lakes have had a 2.3-times greater risk of developing ALS than the rest of the population.




Carl