My Vallisnerias are melting, what do I do??

[Ninjajonnygo]

About three or four months ago I got a few Vallisnerias and they didn’t look to be doing good and seemed to almost be melting. I looked it up and apparently they melt with co2 which I’ve been dosing regularly into this tank. I’m not sure if I should throw them out or something because I cannot give them away as the tank is also infected with BBA (which may be in the plants is well) What’s should I do??

 

[StarGirl]

Yes Vals do not like Excel. (If thats what you mean) If you are going to continue using it then just give up the Vals. Finding the issue for the BBA is probably the better idea overall.

 

[Fishfur]

Are the roots and crown intact? Dig them up and check. If the roots and crowns are sound then they may grow back.

 

[Ninjajonnygo]

Are the roots and crown intact? Dig them up and check. If the roots and crowns are sound then they may grow back.

I plan to continue using the co2 because it’s helpful for the other plants. Wouldn’t they just become damaged again?

Yes Vals do not like Excel. (If thats what you mean) If you are going to continue using it then just give up the Vals. Finding the issue for the BBA is probably the better idea overall.

Wouldn’t I potentially give the BBA to other people if I give the plants up tho? There’s growth on the leaves of the plant.

 

[Mudminnow]

Are you injecting CO2 or dosing Excel?

 

[Fishfur]

You do need to solve the BBA problem.

First off, any leaf that has BBA on it should be removed and tossed. They just make it easier for more algae to grow and they can’t be saved. Best to toss them and all the algae on them goes with them.

Manually remove every trace of BBA you can find and try not to damage it too much while doing so.

Temporarily remove all the media from the filter if it is an HOB or internal powered filter or canister and put floss in it instead while you remove BBA. The floss will catch the fragments of algae that get away from you.

Toss the floss an hour or so after you finish and then replace the regular media.

How long are the lights on daily and what light fixture do you use? Is it adjustable for intensity?

 

[Kwikfab]

I have nothing to add but like to learn from issues other people have (mainly because I too have Vals).

What the heck is BBA and what is Excel since you mentioned dosing co2, and people are calling it Excel?

And where exactly does it cite that vals do poorly with co2? Because I just began to dose co2 in my own tank and my Vals have been doing well without co2.

Being new here it's hard to understand acronyms the pro's use for us newbies.

 

[ruud]

Excel is an organic compound (glutaraldehyde) that plants can use as an inefficient carbon source, but it is also disrupts protein structures. Hence it is aggressive stuff, easily killing simple organisms, like 'beneficial bacteria', algae like BBA, mosses, and obligate aquatic plant species, like valls.

People have no issues dosing Excel, but constantly worry about ammonia...

A common observation on the occurence of BBA algae on plant leaves, is inconsistency in CO2 concentration not fitting the diurnal pattern. I wonder if Excel is both cause and solution to BBA.

 

[Fishfur]

BBA stands for Black Brush or beard algae. It’s a dirty grey to near black colour but is in fact one of the red algae - you see the red when it’s dying.
Very destructive of leaves because it attaches deep inside the tissues and it can smother a tank quite quickly under certain conditions that favour its growth.

Excel is Seachem’s brand of so-called liquid CO2 but the glutaraldyde which it uses is sold in a concentration about double that of Excel as an industrial/medical disinfectant and used for cold sterilization of dental instruments.
It is rather nasty stuff. Also sold as an algaecide.

 

[StarGirl]

I have nothing to add but like to learn from issues other people have (mainly because I too have Vals).

What the heck is BBA and what is Excel since you mentioned dosing co2, and people are calling it Excel?

And where exactly does it cite that vals do poorly with co2? Because I just began to dose co2 in my own tank and my Vals have been doing well without co2.

Being new here it's hard to understand acronyms the pro's use for us newbies.

I just assumed that it was not regular Co2 because he said dosing it regularly. Pet stores sell Excel to folks all the time saying its liquid Co2. Vals do not like Excel but will be perfectly fine with your real Co2 system.

It took me awhile to get the lingo. Im sure every forum has their own slangs. I still hate the Latin names for fish instead of the one everyone has heard of.

 

[Kwikfab]

Thank you all for that, makes sense now.

Now I wonder if the author is indeed using that liquid additive based on wording.

 

[Ninjajonnygo]

Are you injecting CO2 or dosing Excel?

Yes I am using co2

I just assumed that it was not regular Co2 because he said dosing it regularly. Pet stores sell Excel to folks all the time saying its liquid Co2. Vals do not like Excel but will be perfectly fine with your real Co2 system.

It took me awhile to get the lingo. Im sure every forum has their own slangs. I still hate the Latin names for fish instead of the one everyone has heard of.

The Bottle I have is api I believe. It just says co2 on the bottle.
I

I have nothing to add but like to learn from issues other people have (mainly because I too have Vals).

What the heck is BBA and what is Excel since you mentioned dosing co2, and people are calling it Excel?

And where exactly does it cite that vals do poorly with co2? Because I just began to dose co2 in my own tank and my Vals have been doing well without co2.

Being new here it's hard to understand acronyms the pro's use for us newbies.

I saw it quite a few times on google that co2 is bad for Val’s and makes them melt. For BBA it stands for black beard algae and it’s a notoriously hard to get rid of algae that has a black hairy appearance

 

[Kwikfab]

Yes I am using co2

The Bottle I have is api I believe. It just says co2 on the bottle.
I

I saw it quite a few times on google that co2 is bad for Val’s and makes them melt. For BBA it stands for black beard algae and it’s a notoriously hard to get rid of algae that has a black hairy appearance

The bottled stuff isn't actual co2, but I'm glad you're back because I can update you to say that my own val's have really become green



They were really yellow when I first got them and planted them into my aquarium.

I was also able to replant some runners because it's growing really well with co2 if you ever decide to set it up yourself

 

[Ninjajonnygo]

The bottled stuff isn't actual co2, but I'm glad you're back because I can update you to say that my own val's have really become green

View attachment 904702

They were really yellow when I first got them and planted them into my aquarium.

I was also able to replant some runners because it's growing really well with co2 if you ever decide to set it up yourself

View attachment 904703

It’s looks great man keep it up!

 

[Fishfur]

Yes I am using co2

The Bottle I have is api I believe. It just says co2 on the bottle.

Actually, if you have the API product, the bottle says CO2 with the word BOOSTER immediately under it on the label.

Definitely the API version of Seachem’s Excel. Both are based on glutaraldehyde.

 

[Ninjajonnygo]

Actually, if you have the API product, the bottle says CO2 with the word BOOSTER immediately under it on the label.

Definitely the API version of Seachem’s Excel. Both are based on glutaraldehyde.

You’re right there is glutaral in it, what should I do instead? I don’t really have money for a new bottle of co2 because I just finished my other tank?

 

[Kwikfab]

You’re right there is glutaral in it, what should I do instead? I don’t really have money for a new bottle of co2 because I just finished my other tank?

When you say you don't have money for a new bottle, what do you mean exactly?

I am injecting co2 into my 20 gallon with disposable cartridges; all in I think I only spent about $150 USD (which includes regulator, tubing, diffuser, etc).

The only thing I would need are new co2 canisters when they run out and they are very affordable (average $9/ea). I plan to buy a paintball tank which would run only $40 and can be refilled much cheaper.

If you're using disposables, maybe you should look into a refillable setup.

 

[StarGirl]

When you say you don't have money for a new bottle, what do you mean exactly?

I am injecting co2 into my 20 gallon with disposable cartridges; all in I think I only spent about $150 USD (which includes regulator, tubing, diffuser, etc).

The only thing I would need are new co2 canisters when they run out and they are very affordable (average $9/ea). I plan to buy a paintball tank which would run only $40 and can be refilled much cheaper.

If you're using disposables, maybe you should look into a refillable setup.

They are using liquid co2 booster from a bottle. Not injecting. API is the same as Excel. Liquid carbon whatever they say it is.

 

[Kwikfab]

They are using liquid co2 booster from a bottle. Not injecting. API is the same as Excel. Liquid carbon whatever they say it is.

Oh I did get that part when the OP said API.

But after it was acknowledged that it isn't actually co2, the response implied as if they do have co2 but just need a new tank.

Unless the OP continues to call these bottles co2 when they actually aren't.

I don’t really have money for a new bottle of co2 because I just finished my other tank?

 

[StarGirl]

Oh I did get that part when the OP said API.

But after it was acknowledged that it isn't actually co2, the response implied as if they do have co2 but just need a new tank.

Unless the OP continues to call these bottles co2 when they actually aren't.

I read that as I ran out of the API and I dont have money because I just set up/finished a new fish tank. I really dont think they are using any kind of real co2, could be wrong.....

 

[Kwikfab]

I read that as I ran out of the API and I dont have money because I just set up/finished a new fish tank. I really dont think they are using any kind of real co2, could be wrong.....

OP should definitely get co2!

I was shining it off initially because I was more afraid of dosing vs ph changes, etc but fish are pretty resilient little creatures (within reason!).