Zev Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 How long do the bacteria last when the filter is turned off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMAZONIAN Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Do you mean the bacteria in the filter or the dreaded Cyanobacter? Cyanobactor spores are water borne and are present all the time. It is just that Tanks are a good breeding ground for the bacteria to break out of their spores and multiply feeding on whatever is in the tank that suits them. You CANT ELIMINATE CYANOBACTER.... You can only control it by maintaining a healthy tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 The bacteria in the filter (good stuff). Just curious as to how long you can leave it turned off without killing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neill Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 Started on the vodka treatment today. I will keep updated on the result. Fish are showing no sign of distress and fry are alive and well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanksman Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 Good on ya neill Me too I started sunday, I should say my freind and I. Unfortunately this tank is not at my house so I cannot keep as close an eye on it as I would like which is possibly how it got hold in the first place. I still see it every few days and my freind is getting keener by the day. It is harsh this cyanobacter stuff. It is the only explanation I have that the Kribs in there have not spawned in 4 months unless they are getting too old. First of all I got serious and "peeled" off as much of the horrid green gunge as I could. I am going to do this a few more times while the vodka is "treating things" Fins crossed How are you getting along Pinsara. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 I am picturing all these fish sitting around with their fins around each other singing drinking songs and laughing over silly jokes :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 I have been thinking of adding ethanol to assist with plant growth. I can get 97%. Has anyone used it for this purpose and if so how much do you use. I think vodka is about 38-40% so I am thinking about 2mls/100litres/day. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 Alan how can you get the 97% stuff?? Do you have a permit for it? I distill my own alcohol, but it's so much cheaper buying it straight. Its silly, the law allows me to make as much 95% alcohol as I want, - I just cant buy it. Glad to hear everyone's giving the vodka a jam, I'm gonna use it while cycling my tank. (although its not really recommended for that). I'm also gonna cycle at 32C. Keep us updated. Have you noticed any thing different? Alan - are plants able to use the alcohol effectivly? I'm taking plant biotechnology at the moment so I'll ask my lecturer about it. We use a 3% sucrose solution to clone plants for tissue culture, I think this is about the optimal level, but obviously this cant be done in a tank. I think that alcohol will go straight through the membrane of the plant - so I spose it will work. You could also use vinegar. I know you cant add sugar but what is the reason for it? Does that mean you cant use other sugars like glucose or lactose? Maybe even citric acid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 20, 2006 Report Share Posted March 20, 2006 If I told you that I would have to kill you. I am curious to see if it works or anyone has tried it as I have a tank that would be realy hard to get CO2 into and it could be an easy carbon source so long as it doesn't cause liver damage in the plants or fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 At these such low concentrations I cant imagine it doing anything. Are you not able to tell me about sourcing the alcohol(without my impending death)? When it comes off my still it's at 92% - 95% , but to tell the truth its a lot of work and is more expensive - so I'd rather be lazy. I believe I looked into buying it, I think a permit from maf or something was needed, aka a legitimate use for it. Which I now have. Not that drinking it shouldnt be a legitimate use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joze Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 feelers can you make real grain spirit? I see limoncello season coming........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 He can but if he sold it to you he would have to kill you ( if it didn't). I have a generous friend with a very good still. Most people only get about 85% Yours is going well so the extra couple of % wouldn't be worth the mucking about. You can also strip the extra water with CaO and filtering but not worth the fuss if you only intend self medication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neill Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 Day one and not looking good Added a teaspoon and a bit to my 112L tank. Today my tank water has got a light brownish discolouration. Is this normal or do I change the water?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 Oh ok you were getting it distilled too. Yeah, its good stuff, Its pretty much the one on the left - the euro 50L. It's pretty strong straight! :lol: Fire water. That brownish tint is probably bacterial growth and gunk ect. I think water changes are probably more beneficial in freshwater when using vodka, because in sw tanks lots of the new gunk that is created just gets skimmed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinsara Posted March 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Good on ya neill Me too I started sunday, I should say my freind and I. Unfortunately this tank is not at my house so I cannot keep as close an eye on it as I would like which is possibly how it got hold in the first place. I still see it every few days and my freind is getting keener by the day. It is harsh this cyanobacter stuff. It is the only explanation I have that the Kribs in there have not spawned in 4 months unless they are getting too old. First of all I got serious and "peeled" off as much of the horrid green gunge as I could. I am going to do this a few more times while the vodka is "treating things" Fins crossed How are you getting along Pinsara. The amoxillin seemed to work when I last checked. The cyano has started to get into pieces and turning brown. Unfortunately I've been sent out of Welly on work and I dont know if it has fully eliminated my problem. If not I will get started on the vodka treatment when I get back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neill Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Second week and another dose of vodka for the tank. The algae is starting to disapear. Fish still okay. Neill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanksman Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Second week - fish still partying - they reckon they're gonna dry some of the cyano under the lights and smoke that soon too. There's plenty available :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachy Posted March 31, 2006 Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 Second week - fish still partying - they reckon they're gonna dry some of the cyano under the lights and smoke that soon too. There's plenty available :evil: :lol: :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanksman Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 Update - Gave up on the vodka. Cyano looks to be sorted now the horrid green snot. It turned out to be lack of lighting - 15 w on 100 litres - now 60w - Cyano melting into oblivion. I should have realised this was the cause earlier. I was deceived by the idea that only brown algae is an indicator of poor light. Only took 10 months of toiling in the slime to work that out. Least there was vodka I suppose :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neill Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 Gave up on vodka as had no success purchased some erethromyacin from vet for $5 addes some more light, Alge gone plants growing better than ever. Neill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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