AlgaeKillers

[Jamie G]

Would a UV Sterilizer kill algae growing on plants ? I am under the assumption that it kills green water very well as it does in my moms pond. Would it take care of my Staghorn too ? Also, what about the barley / barley extract I have seen on the markets for algae removal ?

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

UV would only kill whatever passes through it - so
no, it won't kill off any algae growing on plants
or equipement. Any spores passing through the unit
however would get zapped.

Check your macros - an imbalance in macros usually
causes staghorn.

[Jamie G]

An imbalance I figued .. as well as with the other forms of algae growing. Would the imbalance be too much or too little macro's. The staghorn is really only growing on my java fern the past 2 weeks .. i think it jsut started on a few others though. Besides, I dont really have anything to check my macros with : (

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

In the past, whenever I've had staghorn, its usually
due to 0 nitrates. Its one of the easier algaes to
deal with IMO - manually removing as much as possible
and then adding in a good ratio of macros usually
helps overcome this algae in a few weeks.

[Jamie G]

so can i assume that you think I am low on macros ?

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

That would be the first thing I'd take a look at.
I suggest double checking with a Nitrate and Phosphate
test kit to make sure before dosing.

[Jamie G]

whats a good all around kit to have ?

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Lamotte is the best one - but it's pretty expensive.
Seachem has a decent kit. I used Aquarium Pharms NO3
test kit and that works well too.

[Jamie G]

where can i get the lamotte kit at ?

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

DrFosterSmith used to carry it - don't think they
still do. It's an expensive test kit - $50 or so
I beleive. I'd go with the Seachem kit if I were you.
That you can get online from drsfostersmith or locally.
I think AC carries it.