Plant And Algae Issues.

[spectrum]

Hi,
I have big algae problems, lots of black fuzzy algae growing all over the plants in both of my tanks, I don't really know what to do. I know that it won't harm the fish or anything like that but it is awfully unsightly and it kills the plants by blocking their light. ( Not that there is much light )
The plants don't do very well at all in my Larger tank, this is probably mainly due to the extremely low lighting.
The only plants not doing to badly (In the 29 gallon, lighting in the 10 gallon isn't really a problem) are the Cryptocorynes and the Amazon sword (Covered in algae though).
Can anyone recommend some plants that like very low light? Any ways of getting rid of algae? I just want my tank to look good, it looks pretty terrible currently.
I also need quite dense planting if i'm going to have apisto's (Not quite sure about that yet though).
Any general advice would be great.
Thanks Guys

 

[vfg10]

hi
well you can put some elodea and vallis H. polisperma I have that plants and they work for my low light
what I can tell you for algae is snails but maybe you don't what any what about getting a plec??
snails work for me some people don't like them well thats your choise

good luck on your tank

 

[spectrum]

Thanks for the reply, i have lots of snails in my small tank (Ramshorn, came on plants ) but they don't seem to fussed about the hairy algae, only the green stuff that grows on the glass. As for plecs, I have my bristlenoses but again they don't touch the hairy stuff.

 

[Bobtastic]

Hey Spectum,

You really need to identify the aglae and the cause to get the problem under control. A good site to look at is James' Planted Tank - Algae. It should tell u the cause and the best way to get rid of it.

Until the problem that is causing the aglae to grow is resolved then I don't see how different plants will make a difference.