Micro & Hair Algae Destroyer
Edit March 12/10: Stuart from The Aquarium Wiki made me realize there was a mistake in this post. Metal Gone does NOT remove nitrate. What Metal Gone does is to reduce the formation of Nitrate.
There are many chemicals employed against algae. But do we really want to use chemicals in a living ecosystem? Many of those chemicals not only kill algae, but also affect all living creatures, plants, corals and bacteria in your aquarium. Do you really want to risk all that after all the time and effort you have spent on your tank? I don’t.
Few years ago I stumbled upon an interesting and efficient way to remove all kinds of micro and hair algae in fresh and saltwater aquarium. The technique use an adsorbant call Metal Gone to first “starve” the algae and a bacteria starter called Right Now Bacteria will that will take advantage of the algae’s weaken state and will start to consume the weaken cells. Lets see how it works but first, let’s have a look at Metal Gone and Right Now Bacteria.
Metal Gone: A 100% natural African mineral used to remove heavy metal and ammonium which reduce the formation of nitrate in fresh and saltwater.
Right Now Bacteria: A powerfull bacteria starter that can be used in conjunction with Tri-Base Pelletized Carbon to aerobically reduce nitrate and phosphate. Right Now Bacteria can also be used to avoid deadly spikes when cycling an aquarium.
Instructions
Step 1. In a canister filter put in one pound of rinsed Metal Gone per 30 gallons, and pour one dose of Right Now Bacteria in your aquarium.
Step 2. The flow rate does not matter but be sure to have the water shooting across the water’s surface for maximum oxygenation (Right Now Bacteria needs lots of oxygen to do its job).
As said above, Metal Gone weakens the algae and allow Right Now Bacteria to consume every weaken algae cell found in your aquarium water. In addition, Right Now Bacteria also deprive the algae cells of nutrition, because they both compete for the same things, and not only Nitrogen but other compounds also. All this together makes the algae’s live quite miserable. Algae will die within a month or two, depending upon how affected your tank was.
Step 3. During the treatment, make weekly or bi-weekly water change. I always do weekly water changes to speed the process a little. While changing the water, vacuum the gravel and also any rocks that have algae on them. You will notice much of the algae will simply come off your rock without any effort, every time you vacuum.
Step 5. In about one month, you will see a vast difference. Once the algae are gone, keep Metal Gone in your filter or sump for an other month to be sure no algae remain.
Step 6. When all remaining algae cells are destroyed, you can keep using Metal Gone to prevent their regrowth (0.5 pound per 30 gallons per month will do). Keep in mind that this technique is NOT a substitute to regular maintenance. This technique won’t help much If you overstock and don’t take good care of your system.
To learn more about using Metal Gone and Right Now Bacteria for algae control, please visit the AquariumsLife’s Store where you will find the complete instructions and the material needed.
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