Black Hair Algae

[freerunner416]

Hi,

My tank has had this black algae which is hairy and is in tufts plaguing it now for about 3/4months. I am really struggling to get rid of it and am not sure what to do.

The algae has attached itself to the plant leaves (willow leaf and onion bulbs) and the bog wood. It has also attached itself to the heater cable and the heater and is growing on it.

I have discus fish and would prefer not to add something to the water to remove the algae but would really like to get rid of it.

I am off on holiday for 10 days soon so was wondering if the fact that my light would be off would help? The fish will be getting fed only three times while away and they will also be getting one water change which my parents are going to do when they come through.

Is there any other suggestions on how i can deal with this other than throwing everything out and starting again

 

[aaronnorth]

BBA is caused by low/ fluctuating CO2, or not enough flow/ circulation.

Overdosing excel by 3x is reccomended (up the dose gradually over a few days). Spot dosing is better if you can do it, get the daily amount in the lid, then use a pippette to directly squirt the daily dose onto the affected leaves. Do this underwater & turn the filters off for a few minutes.

you can use easy carbo which is the same ut cheaper.

 

[freerunner416]

Hi aaron,

Thanks for that info matey. Will that affect my normal water stats?? I have discus that are breeding in the tank and no other tank that i can move them to so dont want to affect them.

My tank is overfiltered and i do have a lot of current going through it. I think that this problem may be caused by low C02 if what you say is correct. Without putting C02 system onto my tank how can i improve the amount of C02 in my tank? Should i try to keep the surface of the tank calmer?

Thanks

 

[aaronnorth]

carbon can have an ill effect on your fish but it is rare from what i have heard, and IME. I sometimes dose 5x over the reccomendation & i have RCS & otto's.

Keep surface agitation to a minimum & dont have any airstones on (just switch them on if you have a tank full of fry as they will be fighting for oxygen)

ammonia spike can also cause an outbreak (even though it may not be testable on your kit) try running your tank with zeolite (unless you have plants)

 

[freerunner416]

Thanks aaron. I will try that when i get home.

Cheers