My tank has been running 8 months, fish are good, my problem is blackbeard algae, today is my third time cleaning rocks, I've tried nearly everything, I've taking out my plants and dipped them in Hydrogen peroxide, but it's come back, I've used a pippete spot dosing with Seachem Exel, and cutting off algae leaves, I vaccumn the gravel weekly, the only thing I have not done is 50% weekly water changes, I do 25%.
My water is kept at 25.3 C, I don't use CO2, my filter is an Oase with a prefilter which I clean weekly, and main media monthly.
my General Hardness is 7
Carbonate hardness 7
Nitrate Nil
Phosphate nil, would 50% weekly water changes do the trick, or anything else?
No-one really knows to date why it appears for certain. I've seen it in a lot of tanks that goes against the narrative. I have it in some tanks and not others. Certainly light i believe is one major factor.
I myself over the years have had enough of breaking down tanks because of it. Using liquid carbon, trimming or boiling hardscape etc.
I try to let tanks balance itself out, adjust light, water changes, feeding etc but it very time consuming and frustrating.
All my tanks have shrimps in so I was a little nervous using easylife algexit for the first time a few years ago. Now I swear by it. I have never lost livestock because of it. To me it's one of the best inventions for fishkeepers because algae problems normally end new hobbyists before a years out.
I always have a small bottle in my armoury. I only use it when bba starts taking hold which is normally on hardscape.
Once you have used it successfully I guarantee you will return to it again in the future.
The key is to follow the instructions to the letter,
The treatment is for a month minimum. I find that to be enough. Use correct dosage for your tank.
Don't do water changes for a month. The bba will start dying off by changing colour.after a week.
I like to fill my syringe up with the correct dosage once per week and spray affected areas.
Fish and shrimps will pick off the dying algae so just leave it be.
I'm currently using now and I'm nearly finished my course.
Don't be put off by using chemicals. It will be a life saver.
After a month do a massive water change ie 70-80%, clean filter,glass, heater etc.
Then do another large water change the following week before returning to your normal routine.
Sit back and then enjoy a new looking tank. You will thank me.
