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Post by babygeige on Apr 23, 2009 22:28:29 GMT -5
In the May issue of TFH, the monthly article from Takashi Amano says that you can apply a "natural antiseptic derived from plant phytoncides" to slow growing plants like anubias to prevent algae from growing on them.
Any idea as to what sort of a product that could be? It doesn't go into any further detail than that. I would really like to try it out!
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Post by Carl on Apr 24, 2009 8:48:43 GMT -5
This seems like a good idea, especially considering the person who originated the idea. I am not sure, what this could be, although I read of a product that contains garlic and onion oils (assuming it is not too refined as I feel some of the products by this company can be). However this information is very vague, as other antiseptic phytoncides include Melaleuca alternifolia (found in Melafix, see: Aquarium Medications; Part 4, Melafix) Carl
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Post by babygeige on Apr 24, 2009 9:25:46 GMT -5
I asked on Aquaria Central. I hardly ever post there because they're so big, questions get lost in the shuffle a lot, but hopefully someone will see mine!
I'll look in the organic/natural stuff section at the store today and see if I can find anything along those lines. I better jot down the Melaeuca stuff you mention. I'll never remember that on my own, lol! Thanks Carl!
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Post by kagome on Apr 24, 2009 20:58:05 GMT -5
This may seem really dumb, but wouldn't anything you applied to the plants just wash off once you put them back in the tank?
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Post by babygeige on Apr 24, 2009 22:22:57 GMT -5
Hmmm... I didn't think of that. Maybe you'd have to let it dry on the leaves before putting it back...? That's a good question... Considering the source of the info though, it must work. Amano knows what he's talking about when it comes to plants.
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Post by kagome on Apr 25, 2009 0:44:25 GMT -5
Sorry if that sounded abrupt. I didn't mean to sound disparaging, just that I wondered how that would work so that it stayed bonded to the plant and and didn't either dissolve in the water or dislodge from the plant and float to the surface like an oil. I wonder if it could be some sort of enzyme or micro-nutrient that the plant foliage would absorb and hold onto for extended periods. I'm really curious know the mechanism of keeping it bonded to the plant and for fighting off the algae.
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Post by Carl on Apr 25, 2009 9:25:25 GMT -5
Two thoughts Kagome:
*The article may have been addressing the use of phytoncides in the tank water.
*The phytoncides in a bath still may be helpful in killing off unwanted algae allowing the plant to grow more healthy leaves
Just thoughts though.
Carl
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Post by babygeige on Apr 27, 2009 12:46:49 GMT -5
No worries Kagome! In the article, Amano said that you apply this substance right to the plant leaves. He had a picture that shows it being brushed on with a paintbrush! You definitely have a point. I don't know how it would stay on there once you put it back. I guess the leaves would absorb it. I asked about it on AC with no luck. I asked at the lfs and the guy there couldn't think of anything. He's one of the most knowledgeable people there too. Maybe I'll sign up at TFH's forum and try there. I looked around there last week and didn't find anything. Surprisingly, their forum didn't seem very large or busy.
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Post by Carl on Apr 27, 2009 13:50:01 GMT -5
Try an experiment using Melafix, Garlic Oil, and plain water.
Remove plants from the same tank and pint them all with these substances and record the results.
This would make a great blog post on our Home Page if the results show anything.
Carl
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Post by babygeige on Apr 28, 2009 16:12:31 GMT -5
Neat idea! I will grab some garlic oil next time I'm at the store. What do you think, equal parts of each?
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Post by Carl on Apr 28, 2009 16:53:21 GMT -5
Neat idea! I will grab some garlic oil next time I'm at the store. What do you think, equal parts of each? do you mean equal parts of water and garlic oil or of Melafix and garlic oil? I would use each one seperately and as well try combining equally Carl
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Post by babygeige on Apr 29, 2009 18:11:51 GMT -5
Ok, I see what you mean. I'll let you know when I get everything together!
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Post by babygeige on May 17, 2009 12:39:04 GMT -5
Where does one find Garlic Oil? I looked around the grocery store, but didn't see it. Unless... it's where vitamins and stuff are. Do people use it as a supplement or something?
Today I took out an anubias plant and cleaned it up. Just to experiment, I wiped the leaves with Melafix. I allowed it to sit for about 7 minutes or so to give it time to soak in a bit before i returned it to the tank. We'll see what happens.
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Post by eve on May 17, 2009 12:46:50 GMT -5
try the isle where you can get all the oils or vinegars or there might be a special isle with those oils where you still see the stuff in the bottole like garlic and stuff you can also make it yourself >How to make your own garlic oil<
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Post by babygeige on May 18, 2009 12:36:40 GMT -5
Cool, thanks eve. If I can't find it, I'll try that.
I'm so mad at myself. I was at the grocery store this morning and totally forgot to look!
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Post by eve on May 18, 2009 13:27:32 GMT -5
you welcome
don't be mad at yourself, i know how it is i was last night at the grocery store and completely forgot to buy chamomille tea bags, that's just how it goes if i don't make a grocery list
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Post by babygeige on May 20, 2009 14:51:26 GMT -5
I looked at the grocery store yesterday and had zero luck. From what I see online, it looks like I'll have to go to a health food store. Maybe GNC will have it. I'm going to see how well my Melafix only experiment works first.
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Post by Carl on May 20, 2009 15:15:10 GMT -5
I looked at the grocery store yesterday and had zero luck. From what I see online, it looks like I'll have to go to a health food store. Maybe GNC will have it. I'm going to see how well my Melafix only experiment works first. Keep us posted, this is an interesting experiment Carl
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Post by goldenpuon on May 21, 2009 17:36:15 GMT -5
Great idea for killing algae on plant leaves. If the experiement proves successful, I think if I start keeping live plants, I will use this method. Good luck with the experiment. Keep us posted!
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Post by babygeige on Jun 3, 2009 15:23:29 GMT -5
I finally found Garlic Oil at the store. It was with the olive oil, just way high up on the shelf and I missed it the first time I looked. I didn't buy any though. I'm still trying the Melafix experiment. It seems to be doing ok so far.
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