Help, my tank is turning green

I knew I left too soon  (babysitters ).  Diana, do you still have it?

Hay you say?  What's the theory behind that?

Jon,

I don't know much about the theory because it never seemed important enough for me to read up on.  But basically, you put hay in a high flow area (filter system) and as the water passes around it, the hay will trap, and consume PO4 as bacteria and algae begin to grow in the hay. So you just replace the hay ever few weeks. Just a few months ago we saw a bunch of hay at Seabase in the water, but it was near the outlet, so I don't know how much good that would have done, even if the theory holds up.
That may seem like a stretch, but lots of people, and even public aquaria use it. And yes we kept that pouch for you.  I'm not sure who has it but I remember Steve putting it in a plastic bag for you.

Adam

I was just looking at a Fosters & Smith catalog, where they sell Barley Straw "in 6 to 8 weeks the straw begins releasing safe oxygenators to clear your pond naturally.  Most effective in shallow, sunny ponds with good circulation."  It says 1/2 lb treats 500 gallons for $12.99.  I've seen ponds and lakes in England use this to clear algae.  Just thought I'd chime in there!

Renee

I guess that I can understand the concept of a natural media bed for the adsorption of solids and the promotion of a biological process. But, I just don't care for the technology, it's too easy. I would venture to say that ALMOST any standard filter would work to similar success, it just depends on what your target contaminate is. For instance, if you had high metals I would use bone char carbon or maybe coconut shell.

I think that the organic filter releases it's own nutrients and phosphates when soaked for a period of time by its own deterioration. This may stimulate an above average algal growth which will then consume more nutrients from the influent.

Adam, the "bunch of hay at Seabase in the water, but it was near the outlet, so I don't know how much good that would have done" may have utilized the pressure behind the effluent to force it through the natural media. In many cases, bales are used as primary solids and free oil filters. This could have been the thought process.

Just my thoughts and experience.

I've been doing some reading on barley hay for algae control, the data has a lot in common with using garlic to treat ich (not a lot of hard scientific experiment results and the conclusions are mixed).  Maybe I'll post some info and links on straw...

I agree with Adam, it makes no sense to me to put the bales at the outlet .

I have seen the hay at seabase, but never really gave it any thought. But the algone pouch did make a HUGE difference in the Fowlers tank. I noticed a big difference in 2 days.