Furry Algae...

[FroggFrogg]

My community tank has become overrun with thick black algae. I can only describe it as fur like
It covers the entire backing of my tank (i have the black moulded juwel internel backing).
It covers all my pieces of wood and the edges of the anubias.
I tried to scrub it off but the backing started to peel before the algae came off!
My stats are fine, nitrate is about 25 ppm. Ph 7.
Tank mates: 1 BN
6 harlequins
1 upside down catfish
2 dwarf gouramis
I feel my only option is stripping the tank down and starting again

 

[jamie2010]

i had this problem ,im afraid it has a lot tp do with irregular water changes.just keep right on top of it as soon as you see the(hair) algae forming get rid of it.i added 2 co2 units and it kinda cleared up.it still rears its ugly head every now and then.

 

[FroggFrogg]

Thanks, i guess i need to regulate my water changes then! At the moment i do a 25% water change every 10 days. I like the look of it as it 'waves' from the back in the filter current but it is unsightly on everthing else

 

[Bloo]

Sounds like "Black Brush Algae" - nasty stuff and difficult to get rid of once it takes holds and spreads.
Do a forum search for "+black +brush +algae - this is one of the threads that might help.

Ps: it has little to do with water changes

Pps: and that's one of the major reason's I'm against that fixed backing. They look lovely but a pain to maintain

 

[jamie2010]

you see thats what i thought bloo.another case of lfs staff talking rubbish,the guy in the shop slated me for not taking better care of my tank.but i do regular maintenance.
i do agree tho,its a meare to get rid off.

 

[FroggFrogg]

Thanks Bloo-helpful as ever!

Well i thought my maintanance was a little slack but as the stats are fine i felt no need to change it...

Touch wood i dont have an algae problem in my main tank, it has the juwel rock background which would an even bigger nightmare to clean off!

 

[jamie2010]

i just read that link.its great,should be pretty easy for both of us us to get rid of this pest once and for all.

 

[Bloo]

Thanks Bloo-helpful as ever!

Thanks

Well if it's any consolation, I regularly do 40% water changes weekly and when I had the Juwel Internal Filter, cleaned it every week too. I still had this dreaded stuff that I had to pick off my Amazon Sword leaf edges and that sprung up on clumps on my decor

Touch wood i dont have an algae problem in my main tank, it has the juwel rock background which would an even bigger nightmare to clean off!

Be careful though - it can cross contaminate in tanks when using similar equipement. Happened with me !

 

[FroggFrogg]

I have just put up with it for ages but when it got to the plants it made me real mad!
Thanks but i keep my equipment seperate! I'm a little bit clean freakish like that!