Yet Another Case Of Black Hair Algae

[martin_jones]

After reading several topics here, I have come to the conculsion that I too have a case of Black Hair Algae (well, my aquarium does, not me personally!)

I went to a LFS and they didn't sell Flourish Excel (for me to overdoes) but they did sell a hair algae treatment.

Does anyone have any experience of this product and if so, does it work?

I didn't buy any as I am going to try to stabilise my DIY CO2 as it isn't that stable at the moment (which could be the cause). I have also removed a large quantity of floating plants which were blocking out the light which may also help.

Would sorting out the CO2 and light remove the algae or will it just thrive in these conditions now that it's established?

Martin

 

[JamesC]

Black Brush Algae or BBA is a sign of poor CO2. How much light and how much CO2 are you adding to your tank. On a tank your size DIY CO2 is probably not enough. You will have to scrub off as much as you can while syphoning it out at the same time if poss.

 

[martin_jones]

I have two Arcadia 38W lights - one tropical and one plant I think. No reflectors or anything.

I made the mistake of letting a floating plant go rampant, and I don't think the plants were getting enough light. The DIY CO2 is at about 60 bubbles per minute. I have them bubbling into the top of a pop bottle (proper DIY!) which then lets the water get into contact with the CO2. I think this is working. The pH is between 6.5 and 7, and the kH is around 12.

I don't want to have to get proper CO2 injection as we are moving (hopefully) next year and I will be selling everything. It'll have to stay DIY for the time being.

I will try scrubbing it off - it's on a mangrove root-type thing, so I can remove it and clean it if required. The clown loaches may not be too impressed though.

Martin

 

[JamesC]

Your lighting is fairly low. At this light level it is very important to keep CO2 levels stable. Problem with DIY is that it tends to go and down a lot which can cause you problems. Even water changes can cause CO2 fluctuations.

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Martin
Dont know if it helps, but there are lots of Aquatic web sites that sell Fourish Excel, and also many suppliers on E-bay that sell it to .

 

[ted28]

I have the same problem but I can't use Flourish Excel because I have amano shrimp.
33us Gallon planted tank
Hygrophilia difformis & Polysperma
Java Fern & Moss
Amazon Sword
Floating indian fern
Hornwort
Vallisneria spiralis

My stats
Ammonia=0
Nitrite=0
Nitrate=5-10
Ph=6.8
Kh=8
Gh=9
Diy Co2 changed each week
60 watts lighting with reflectors (18watt intrepet dayilght plus T8, 24 watt Intrepet Triplus t5 and 18 watt t8)
80% of Substrate is ecocomplete 20% gravel
Seachem Flourish each week
Any thoughts on what I can do?

 

[Silverlady]

Why can't you use Excel with Shrimp.?First time i have heard of this.

 

[ted28]

Why can't you use Excel with Shrimp.?First time i have heard of this.

An earlier or pinned thread I've read they are sensative to that type of carbon. And some plants namely vallis

 

[Silverlady]

Well my vallis is fine and growing well. I thought it was Copper that Shrimps didn't like.

 

[JamesC]

Never heard of excel affecting vallis but I know it does affect elodea densa (anacharis). There are a few more plants that aren't tolerant to it but I can't remember them at the moment. I've overdosed it with my cherry shrimp with no losses but some people have said they have had losses.

 

[zig]

I have the same problem but I can't use Flourish Excel because I have amano shrimp.
33us Gallon planted tank
Hygrophilia difformis & Polysperma
Java Fern & Moss
Amazon Sword
Floating indian fern
Hornwort
Vallisneria spiralis

My stats
Ammonia=0
Nitrite=0
Nitrate=5-10
Ph=6.8
Kh=8
Gh=9
Diy Co2 changed each week
60 watts lighting with reflectors (18watt intrepet dayilght plus T8, 24 watt Intrepet Triplus t5 and 18 watt t8)
80% of Substrate is ecocomplete 20% gravel
Seachem Flourish each week
Any thoughts on what I can do?

Hi Ted, best long term solution is to go with pressurised CO2, that way you can control the CO2 levels, if your in Dublin or anywhere near and are interested in a Co2 setup I have a very good source for V cheap CO2 fire extinguishers, they are full and cost less than €20 each for a 5kg or a 2 kg, either of those would probably last a year at least on a tank your size, the 5kg probably a couple of years, refills will also be dirt cheap <€10, you would just need to pick up a regulator, pm me if interested and i will give you the details.