Help, what is this?

[sonyaintheattic]

Hello. Please be kind! I'm completely new to forums, first time poster. I need help identifying what algae I have in my planted freshwater aquarium and how to get rid of it. it is slowly becoming the bane of my life! i do regular water changes, havent overstocked my tank. feed once a day. dose daily with flourish excel. lights on for about 8 hours a day.

 

[Colin_T]

Hi and welcome to the forum

black filamentous algae, yucko. good luck getting rid of it

 

[sonyaintheattic]

I didn't think it was as its been hanging around for a while and doesn't match the luxurious black hair look that come with the explanations of it, also doesn't start by looking like 'stubble'.

 

[sonyaintheattic]

are there any hints as to how to get rid?

 

[Colin_T]

not from me, but others might have some idea of how to get rid of it.

 

[Stan510]

You could shoot some hydrogen peroxide on it. After that reduce lighting to 8 hours a day or less. You might try the ultimate non chemical way- don't put the lights on for 3 days and cover the aquarium so its in pitch black.
After all that? Stop with the too frequent water changes,clean your prefilter often instead and add more hardy plants to fight with algae for the nutrients after you've removed excess.
Thats what it comes down to. Not enough healthy plants and too much nutrients.