H2O2 vs the JUNGLE!

A couple weeks ago i saw a reference to hydrogen peroxide being used to clear up nuisance algae on zoa frags. Today, I scoured the 'net' looking for experiments and procedures. All said and done I found a recipe using a 4:1 ratio of Tankwater to H2o2 @3% concentration for 5 minutes, but not pics to document how it went down. The process is straight forward so I took some before pics, some during pics, and ill keep the thread updated for my zoa's health and hopefully the imminent death of the deep mean green.

Front:

Side:

Processing Processing!

Back on the rack:

My plan is to try as little mechanical removal as possible on the frags for now. Already since taking the picture I can see more algae turning white, so thats a hopeful sign. I did only want to try one plug, but like 5 were stuck together pretty bad so I figure ok, what the heck. My Mary Janes are the only polyps that look bad after the first dip, and they will be getting a second dip next Saturday.

 

Good start. The recommendation for FW algae is 2ml per gallon. Apply the H2O2 to the worst patches and let it sit for 1 hour in the tank with no flow and the lights out. Then start up the flow for another hour to get to the rest of the algae. You then run carbon in your filters. Do a 25% water shange if you wish.

 

From my research in reef tanks LPS react very badly to H2O2 and SPS not much better. That being said, I have read about people spot treating GHA and Bryopsis with the solution in tank. My issue is just on my frags for some reason /shrug

 

I think you did the right thing since it is on frags. I am not sure I would run it in a tank with LPS and SPS based on your research.

 

Yeah my little orange zoas that were the epicenter of the GHA mess (also a bit of caplurpa, broad leaf algae and maybe bryopsis) are starting to open up already, but some polyps are falling off the plug.

Alot of people treat the base of sps plugs with this same treatment as well. People say it surely kills Nudi eggs and flatworm's too.

 

I wouldn't be surprised on it killing the eggs.

 

It killed pods pretty dang fast!

 

I'll bet, probably fried them.

 

There is a fairly extensive thread at nanoreef.com that deals with H2O2...it is great. Lots of first hand experiences and discussion of which corals do well with treatment.

The general consensus is that spot treating it is the way to go. Either:

1) take the frag completely out and squirt the trouble areas with an undiluted amount, rinsing it in saltwater and then putting it right back inthe tank

2) drop the water level in the tank to where the area is exposed, and then squirting it with undiluted H2O2. In delicate areas in and around coral you can even just wipe the algae with an H2O2 soaked Q-tip and that will work without hurting the corals.

I have a couple spots of GHA taht have recently reared their ugly head in by saltwater tank, I was planning on spot treating the areas tomorrow during my water change...I can post my results here

Experiences have shown that dosing the entire tank will have agreater chance of hurting the corals than spot treating.

I have used H2O2 in my FW tanks and it is nowhere near as delicate of an operation. I jsut go in with a turkey baster and blast away with the powerheads and filters off. Corals are alittle more delicate than plants.

 

Sweet thanks Tharsis! If you could post images that would be great. That is the one thing lacking in these threads; image results.

That being said all my zoas i dipped are open and happy for the most part. I was worried about the maryjanes because they look saggy and ragged, but they are fully open this morning!