Algae Covering Plants

[haowin]

Hey, My tanks constantly under algae infestation but isnt really that bad given a weekly scrub down, but my plants atm are having some black algae smothering the leaves, its only heavily on 2 plants, anubias nana and dwarf java fern. I think its something to do with them being slow growers. I cba with putting up pics as i dunno how to do it . I have been carelessly running co2 in the tank whether good or bad but thought it might help. been dosing tropica nutrition. Though i have stopped just to see if it'll affect the plants or not.
I cant really clean it off the plants either as when i do it i tends to demolish the plants in effect. The anubias nanas alright to clean it off (using scouring pad) but it leaves scratch marks on the leaves. but the dwarf has too many bumps in it so end up tearing up the leaves.
Any help

 

[mark4785]

Hey, My tanks constantly under algae infestation but isnt really that bad given a weekly scrub down, but my plants atm are having some black algae smothering the leaves, its only heavily on 2 plants, anubias nana and dwarf java fern. I think its something to do with them being slow growers. I cba with putting up pics as i dunno how to do it . I have been carelessly running co2 in the tank whether good or bad but thought it might help. been dosing tropica nutrition. Though i have stopped just to see if it'll affect the plants or not.
I cant really clean it off the plants either as when i do it i tends to demolish the plants in effect. The anubias nanas alright to clean it off (using scouring pad) but it leaves scratch marks on the leaves. but the dwarf has too many bumps in it so end up tearing up the leaves.
Any help

I have the same issue you with my anubias and another slow-grower in my aquarium. A black/brown coloured algae formed on the leaves on the Anubias and Cryptocoryne about 4-5 days after adding them to a 1 month old cycled aquarium. The algae is now beginning to subside as though it was a small harmless phase associated with newly cycled aquariums. Apparently there are non-detectable ammonia fluctuations in newer tanks which the algae are good at utilising first.

My advise to you, if you have brownish diatoms growing on your leaves, is to not do anything as it is likely to be phase that will pass. If you think your desirable plants have bad health and are consequently leaching small amounts of ammonia into the water (not detectable on a ammonia test kit) then you may have algae issues until you give the plants what they need to grow properly.

 

[ian]

http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

have a look which algae it is and report back.

 

[GAB99]

well if its planted into the substrate take i out as the rhizome cant be planted

if not the try and find a shady area for it, worked for me but had to prune the affected leaves

 

[Tom499]

I try and grow plants which like a similiar level. I did have a bad "infestation" of algae a few weeks back. I set my lighting to come on only an hour a day for 2 weeks, and didnt fertilise.

This worked for me, and I now run my lights for about 6 hours a day, rather than 8, and its so far working.

Maybe worth a try, maybe some other cause =)

 

[haowin]

So as a general, i should shade the anubias and produce less light? My tanks been runnin for probably over a year or so. So its gotto be mature by now? The algaes been present for 2-3months, so it shouldnt be an ammonia issue (newer tanks) its attacked to some bog wood, so the rhizomes free. Tbh all my plants are healty and grow in abundance, fast growth, fast repopulation. The anubias, not sure if its a way to tell, but its growing new leaves so dunno if its a sign its growing ok. Just #41#### algae is ruining it
Just a thought, is there too much nutrition in the tank? I do leave the lights on for 10-12 hours, so i'll pull back to 8. If there is too much nutrition should i add more plants? The main algae isnt on the site, i use it myself

 

[RadaR]

So as a general, i should shade the anubias and produce less light? My tanks been runnin for probably over a year or so. So its gotto be mature by now? The algaes been present for 2-3months, so it shouldnt be an ammonia issue (newer tanks)

The ammonia we are talking about is two to three orders of magnitude lower than what can be registered on a test kit (hobby grade).

Just a thought, is there too much nutrition in the tank?

No. Excess nutrients do not cause algae. It's fundamental that you understand this if you are going to continue planted tanks. Have a read of "Back to Basics".

I do leave the lights on for 10-12 hours, so i'll pull back to 8.

Yes, that's far too much light. You could even cut it down to 7hours for now.


The "carelessly running of CO2" could suggest BBA. Low/unstable levels of CO2 will result in BBA.

 

[haowin]

nice, Thanks, well ive ran it for 7 hours stopped with the co2, and see how it'll go. Also there isnt much a current going around the tank, should i wack a power head in there to create more a current?

 

[RadaR]

nice, Thanks, well ive ran it for 7 hours stopped with the co2, and see how it'll go. Also there isnt much a current going around the tank, should i wack a power head in there to create more a current?

Yes. Ideally we want a minimum of 10x the volume of the tank turned over every hour.
You should be able to see the plants "sway".
I reccomend the hydor korlia nano (900lph). The koralias are good because the move whole bodies of water instead of creating single jets of current.