What Is It, How To Rid And Prevent It?

[dazbud]

This algae is on the older leaves of just one plant. Very minimal outbreaks anywhere else in the tank.
 
I was just going to cut off the leaves with the algae, but didn't want to discard healthy leaves if I could help it.
 
Anyone know what it is and why its there. Also how to get rid of it and prevent it.
 
Stats are Amonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 10-20ppm, PH 7.
Weekly 20% water change
250 Litre
3 x 39W T5 bulbs. on for 6 hours/day
Planting is all low maintenance. No CO2
Airstone running 24hrs.
Powerhead circulating water
40 assorted small community fish
No issues with any other kinds of algae

 

[Staxx]

looks like black beard algae to me.. there is a whole section on it here in the correct section on the forum.

 

[dazbud]

I tried flourish excel , double dose daily for a week. Did the trick

 

[sockers]

when my plants get that i was told to put  the leaves and stems in but not the roots in a mix of one part bleach to nineteen parts water for two minutes and then after that let the plants soak in clean water before returning them to the tank.

 

[paradiddle]

Use excel first, thats the preferred method, double dosing and lower lighting to reduce the algae chance of survival 

 

[dave840f1]

To me it looks like Brush Algae. This is usually caused by high Phosphate and/or Nitrate. Another cause can be worn out Fluorescent tubes.

 

[dazbud]

The tank is only a year old, and the tubes came with it. 3 x 39W. I have been thinking about changing them because I'm not that keen on the colour (slightly yellow). The offending algae is beginning to return a month after it was eradicated, although only very very small amounts. I have wondered if I maybe shouldn't have been using fertilizer?