Michael Hunt
Well-Known Member
Howdy folks!
Been battling some serious pathogens in my reservoir the past few months and figured since there isnt much info on the site regarding this exact issue, I would share what i have learned so far.
What is this “brown slime algae cyanobacteria” he’s talking about, you might ask. This isnt some snotty root slime that clouds reservoirs and smells on rotten eggs. It’s far harder to deal with than that. It grows in thick whitish clumps on airstones and any porous surface in the reservoir. Cracks in fittings, elbows, pumps, water chillers, EVERYWHERE. It’ll grow so thick it can clog even a 2” drain line. It also coats roots and suffocates/ starves plants. It has a very subtle earthy smell to it and does not cloud the water.
Through research and weeks of experimentation, this bacterial “infection” can survive in the light or dark, oxygen rich or depleted waters, cold or warm, H2O2 (30+%) seems to feed it as it appears to reproduce rapidly with large amounts of oxygen, bleach doesnt eradicate it. Sent roughly 2 gallons of it through a 10 gallon system only for the blooms to come back. Physan20 seems to knock it down significantly but is really hard on plants. Even after heavy doses of physan, the bloom came back in about 5 days. Beneficial bacteria, and enzyme treatments only make it worse. Tea recipe's can mitigate the problem, but one lapse and BOOM! Its back. If any of the above treatments cures your problem, you likely do NOT have this bacteria in your system. Consider yourself lucky.
At this point, it seemed all hope was lost of ever getting rid of this nasty s***. Until, my research led me into the reef tank world. You know, fish tanks, with living coral and other aquatic plants in them. Turns out these folks deal with waterborn pathogens, algae, bacteria and other water based demons i wouldnt wish on a worst enemy all the time. All while still maintaining living plants and creatures in the water. Perfect. Maybe there’s a solution in here that wont harm our delicate root systems. And there is. It’s called Erythromycin. Commonly used for wide range of bacterial infections in humans and animals, including fish. (Hint hint, a water soluble solution to mix into a fish tank, or this case a reservoir).
Low and behold, most local pet stores carry this stuff in little powder packets. Or a larger, much pricier tub ($189US here). It takes 4 days to do a full dose of treatments. And, i have not gotten to test this with plants in the system since we have lost the last 3 plants i’ve tried to run to this bacteria. But, its been 2 weeks since the first 4 day treatment, with no water changes at all, and everything is still crystal clear and no algae/bacteria growth OF ANY KIND. Since this stuff is designed to be used in fish/reef tanks, i cant imagine its going to harm root systems.
To sum this up, if you have this mystery growth in your reservoir, and NONE of the traditional methods seem to work, dont start replacing everything like i did before giving ERYTHROMYCIN a try. I’ve got another seedling on the way and will get to test this out with a plant here soon. I’ll make sure to report back on that once she’s in the water. Also going to test out a low “maintenance dose” of erythromycin with every water chance to ensure it never comes back.
I hope this helps someone out there trudging through the endless pages of funky reservoir cures out there.
Good luck out there and happy growing!
Been battling some serious pathogens in my reservoir the past few months and figured since there isnt much info on the site regarding this exact issue, I would share what i have learned so far.
What is this “brown slime algae cyanobacteria” he’s talking about, you might ask. This isnt some snotty root slime that clouds reservoirs and smells on rotten eggs. It’s far harder to deal with than that. It grows in thick whitish clumps on airstones and any porous surface in the reservoir. Cracks in fittings, elbows, pumps, water chillers, EVERYWHERE. It’ll grow so thick it can clog even a 2” drain line. It also coats roots and suffocates/ starves plants. It has a very subtle earthy smell to it and does not cloud the water.
Through research and weeks of experimentation, this bacterial “infection” can survive in the light or dark, oxygen rich or depleted waters, cold or warm, H2O2 (30+%) seems to feed it as it appears to reproduce rapidly with large amounts of oxygen, bleach doesnt eradicate it. Sent roughly 2 gallons of it through a 10 gallon system only for the blooms to come back. Physan20 seems to knock it down significantly but is really hard on plants. Even after heavy doses of physan, the bloom came back in about 5 days. Beneficial bacteria, and enzyme treatments only make it worse. Tea recipe's can mitigate the problem, but one lapse and BOOM! Its back. If any of the above treatments cures your problem, you likely do NOT have this bacteria in your system. Consider yourself lucky.
At this point, it seemed all hope was lost of ever getting rid of this nasty s***. Until, my research led me into the reef tank world. You know, fish tanks, with living coral and other aquatic plants in them. Turns out these folks deal with waterborn pathogens, algae, bacteria and other water based demons i wouldnt wish on a worst enemy all the time. All while still maintaining living plants and creatures in the water. Perfect. Maybe there’s a solution in here that wont harm our delicate root systems. And there is. It’s called Erythromycin. Commonly used for wide range of bacterial infections in humans and animals, including fish. (Hint hint, a water soluble solution to mix into a fish tank, or this case a reservoir).
Low and behold, most local pet stores carry this stuff in little powder packets. Or a larger, much pricier tub ($189US here). It takes 4 days to do a full dose of treatments. And, i have not gotten to test this with plants in the system since we have lost the last 3 plants i’ve tried to run to this bacteria. But, its been 2 weeks since the first 4 day treatment, with no water changes at all, and everything is still crystal clear and no algae/bacteria growth OF ANY KIND. Since this stuff is designed to be used in fish/reef tanks, i cant imagine its going to harm root systems.
To sum this up, if you have this mystery growth in your reservoir, and NONE of the traditional methods seem to work, dont start replacing everything like i did before giving ERYTHROMYCIN a try. I’ve got another seedling on the way and will get to test this out with a plant here soon. I’ll make sure to report back on that once she’s in the water. Also going to test out a low “maintenance dose” of erythromycin with every water chance to ensure it never comes back.
I hope this helps someone out there trudging through the endless pages of funky reservoir cures out there.
Good luck out there and happy growing!
