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- Newsgroups: rec.aquaria
- Path: sparky!uunet!munnari.oz.au!comp.vuw.ac.nz!cc-server4.massey.ac.nz!COKelly
- From: COKelly@massey.ac.nz (C.J. O'Kelly)
- Subject: Re: [F] Straw as Algacide
- Message-ID: <1993Jan25.001009.15513@massey.ac.nz>
- Summary: No magic algicidal bullets in straw
- Keywords: algae, straw, algicide
- Organization: Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- References: <1993Jan22.175343.4736@ttsi.lonestar.org>
- X-Reader: NETNEWS/PC Version 2c
- Date: Mon, 25 Jan 93 00:10:09 GMT
- Lines: 15
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- Throwing straw into water, as far as I know, works as an algicide
- principally by increasing the organic compounds present in the water.
- These compounds foster the growth of bacteria and fungi, and decrease
- the transparency of the water. I reckon that it is the loss of light,
- and the competition for space and nutrients with the blooms of fungi and
- bacteria, that account for the algal dieoffs reported, not some specific
- "magic bullet" being released from the straw.
-
- The fish "not being harmed" by this procedure are probably carp, perch
- and the like. The bulletproof ones. I wouldn't try it with my
- Amazonian rarities.
-
- Charley O'Kelly
- Mad Phycologist/Protistologist
-