Peroxide for Algae

[kp33]

I’ve seen on here where others have used 3% peroxide for algae issue, how many doses does it take to see affects. I did one last night and don’t see any results yet, not sure if it takes multiple. I have a 90 gallon and most in here say 1ml per 10 gallons so I did 2 teaspoons as 2 teaspoons equal 10ml. Thanks

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I’ve seen on here where others have used 3% peroxide for algae issue, how many doses does it take to see affects. I did one last night and don’t see any results yet, not sure if it takes multiple. I have a 90 gallon and most in here say 1ml per 10 gallons so I did 2 teaspoons as 2 teaspoons equal 10ml. Thanks

IME, if treating in tank, it works best to turn off all flow and spot treat patches of algae.

 

[kp33]

IME, if treating in tank, it works best to turn off all flow and spot treat patches of algae.

Yeah didn’t do that I left everything on and just dumped it in, other things I read didn’t mention that and I didn’t even think about that.

 

[Brandont21]

Usually takes 5-7 days i believe before youll notice a difference.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah didn’t do that I left everything on and just dumped it in, other things I read didn’t mention that and I didn’t even think about that.

The way you did it just diluted it and made it ineffective.

 

[ScottJ]

IME, if treating in tank, it works best to turn off all flow and spot treat patches of algae.

Also, if you can pull the rock out of the tank, you can scrape as much algae off as you can and then spot treat that area with H2O2.

 

[kp33]

Usually takes 5-7 days i believe before youll notice a difference.

Do I need to keep dosing? Or let it be for now and see what it does?

 

[joe0813]

When I had a bad hair algae issue, I pulled the rock and used a spray bottle filled with hydrogen peroxide. Then rinsed with clean saltwater. Algae turned light brown then all died

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

When I had a bad hair algae issue, I pulled the rock and used a spray bottle filled with hydrogen peroxide. Then rinsed with clean saltwater. Algae turned light brown then all died

This is by far the best way to apply H2O2

 

[SPS2020]

If you cannot remove the rockwork...as others have mentioned, spot treat the GHA (AFTER you have removed as much as possible manually). I suggest a syringe. Be careful not to apply anywhere near corals you want to remain alive. I used a higher percentage (11% IIRC) at the same ratio 1ml\10 gal with all flow off. You will see bubbles come from the algae for around thirty minutes. After that, turn on the pumps as normal. This process will take a bit until all patches of GHA are removed.

NOTE: you are only applying a band aid to the issue. You must determine the source of the excess nutrients to prevent return of the GHA.

 

[kp33]

Yeah that’s the other problem can’t figure that out, phosphates are never above .1 most times .05-.08, I don’t over feed, as a matter of fact I forget to feed sometimes, my lights aren’t on too long, my blues run 8 hours, whites only 2.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yeah that’s the other problem can’t figure that out, phosphates are never above .1 most times .05-.08, I don’t over feed, as a matter of fact I forget to feed sometimes, my lights aren’t on too long, my blues run 8 hours, whites only 2.

Don't misunderstand nutrients. 0.08 ppm phosphate is likely more than enough for any algae, and 0.8 ppm will not likely make it grow any faster.

Trying to limit algae by reducing dissolved nutrients is a very hard game, since one risks starving corals unelss you feed the corals particulates.

This published article tested a lot of species of macroalgae for what is limiting it.

The base case of unenriched seawater was 0.12 uM phosphate, or 0.011 ppm.

The base case of ammonia was 0.007 ppm and nitrate + nitrite 0.02 ppm.


Raising phosphate from 0.01 to 0.2 ppm only made one of them grow faster (codium) and it was only a little faster.

OTOH, boosting the ammonium from 0.007 to 0.9 ppm boosted all of them except the codium.

Significantly, adding both ammonium and phosphate together only made a few of them better than the N boost alone.

This is an example of the concept of a limiting nutrient. One level of something limits growth, and everything else just gets taken up as needed, no matter how much is there.

http://web.archive.org/web/20040720...482/Kaneohe Bay algae N-P Larned Mar Biol.pdf

 

[kp33]

my last phosphate test a few days ago was .05 and that is generally what it’s at.

 

[Dhaus]

I've used H2O2 for green turf algae in my tank with success by removing the live rock and spraying it. But right now, my issue is a lot of my rock and corals are precariously balanced and I don't really want to move them for a re-treat. Can anybody tell me if 1ml per 10 gals will be effective with filtration turned off and flow left running?

 

[kp33]

Same issue and question what’s the best way to use it if I can’t remove the rock that easily.

 

[paragrouper]

Same issue and question what’s the best way to use it if I can’t remove the rock that easily.

Read through this thread where @vetteguy53081 discusses the use of H202 as part of a treatment for GHA. A couple of things:

1. to be successful, I expect you will need to follow all steps.
2. in the thread there is much discussion as to why the OP had the issue in the first place. It’s best to figure this out and correct it at the same time.

best of luck.

 

[Planted Reef]

I've also read that in addition to turning off all flow, you need to turn off the lights as well for about 30-60 minutes. Then turn everything back on. Don't know if this is true or not but just mentioning.

 

[Jen1978]

I’ve seen on here where others have used 3% peroxide for algae issue, how many doses does it take to see affects. I did one last night and don’t see any results yet, not sure if it takes multiple. I have a 90 gallon and most in here say 1ml per 10 gallons so I did 2 teaspoons as 2 teaspoons equal 10ml. Thanks

I used a syringe to spot treat. I believe I also bought 12% off Amazon. It did work over time.