What Is The 'stuff' Growing On My Background?

[JMcQueen]

I know this thread is a little pointless without pictures but I've noticed that I have tufts of black/grey fibres 'growing' on my background. At first I thought it was dirt deposited by the filters but it doesnt come off easily and is quite fibrous and they dont come off during cleaning. They look like little tufts of weeds. I'm guessing its an algae of some sort as it also grows on the plastic of my internal filters if I don't take them out and clean them periodically but was wondering what type.

 

[fluttermoth]

Sounds like black bush (or black beard) algae, or 'BBA'.

There are loads of threads about it in the algae forum, it's very common. I always seem to get it on the edges of my anubias (what's the plural of anubias?!! anubii?!!)

 

[majerah1]

Agree, sounds like the black beard algae. In itself it looks pretty neat when you get it to cover something. But many people find it annoying and would rather be rid of it.
 
LOL Anubii. 

 

[JMcQueen]

Yeah, definitely looks that way. Just been reading how much of a SOAB it is to get rid of too.

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Sounds like black bush (or black beard) algae, or 'BBA'.There are loads of threads about it in the algae forum, it's very common. I always seem to get it on the edges of my anubias (what's the plural of anubias?!! anubii?!!)

Anubiases? Lol

@JMc: yeah they grow normally but algae eating fish tend to avoid those unless you have some nasty kinds of snails to fight it with or remove it manually

 

[JMcQueen]

My tank is relatively spartan in that I now only have single (very large) black moor goldfish in a 120L tank with substrate and 3D backing. Its the backing that it is growing on like tufts of weeds on a pavement. The tank did have a second blackmoor but it died of a tumour and the current occupant was damaging itself on any wood or stone that I had in the tank so had to take it out.