My low tech got BBA! HAR??

[ranmasatome]

well.. i wasn't around to take care of it.. thats why it exploded.. funny thing is i got BBA??? i mean i don't even inject co2... why the hell is bba there??

[illumnae]

i thought insufficient co2 is also one possible cause of bba?

[ranmasatome]

i thought insufficient co2 is also one possible cause of bba?

if you are injecting it in the first place.

[Shadow]

unstable CO2 will cause BBA, though I do not understand the reason/mechanism behind it

[eddyq]

Yes, usually low-maintaince tank without CO2 injected, the plant will becomes blacken with BBA.

[StanChung]

Build up of detritus is a BBA trigger I think as I have notice it always happen when the filter is clogged up. Clear it and it's gone.

[Shadow]

In biology, detritus is non-living particulate organic material (as opposed to dissolved organic material). It typically includes the bodies of dead organisms or fragments of organisms or faecal material. Detritus is normally colonized by communities of microorganisms which act to decompose (or remineralize) the material.

In terrestrial ecosystems, the term refers to litter on the soil surface as well as organic matter intermixed with soil.
In aquatic ecosystems, the term refers to organic material found suspended in water. Together with plankton, detritus is an important constituent of seston (materials in suspension), and may also accumulate at the base of a water column.

not a clue why detritus trigger BBA?

[StanChung]

Phew, had to hold my breath reading that. My guess is a clogged filter isn't very good at breaking down organic matter.

It's my guess that BBA is always present in our water, it's just that it needs to STICK to something. When the water is clean, it can't stick well and our tanks seem BBA free. But when the detritus builds up perhaps the STICKINESS index goes up? Just my theory.

[ranmasatome]

Stan... let me try what you suggested and get back to you. I haven't washed my filter for like 1 year..haha..

[PeterGwee]

Low CO2 doesn't mean no CO2. Mixing (Water current) of the CO2 is still needed to get it around the tank well especially when things are limiting. Competition for the lean CO2 can lead to poor competitors doing badly as well.

Regards,
Peter Gwee

[ranmasatome]

but hor... the BBA only appear where there is strong current leh...

[PeterGwee]

Is it on equipment or plants? If it's on the plants, is it growing or stunted?

BBA does love high current flow and there is a chart about flow vs growth for plants....it tapers off towards the end if the current gets too high.

Regards,
Peter Gwee

[Shadow]

isn't that contradict with the idea of properly mix CO2?

[ranmasatome]

Well Peter,
its on both... on the outlet and the inlet..and a little bit on the glass..very little on glass..
But it is also on the plants..however, it is only on plants in the way of strong current... anything in front of the outlet will get a generous coating of it... it also kinda got onto the wood... a bit sian...have to bleach it now.
As for growth of plants.... doing well... my tank looks like a jungle now just after 2.5 months...

So.. any comments?

By the way, whats this chart you're talking about?

[ranmasatome]

Peter, is there a link or something where i can go read up on this?

[StanChung]

I think Nick has same problem like you Justin. Not cleaning filter regularly enough!
You'll find a thick brown soup in the filter. Imagine the detritus flying around and sticking everywhere. Food/base for BBA I think.

[Wackytpt]

Yes Boss. I got the hint

I will wash the filter soon

But this is something new that I learned.

Thanks for the good advice Stan!

[Shadow]

Black Beard Algae

[PeterGwee]

Justin, it might be a case that your plants are previously grown in CO2 enriched environment and it takes time for them to increase the enzymes responsible for CO2 uptake (roughly 1-3 weeks) since the CO2 concentration has dropped. BBA takes the opportunity during this re-adjustment period and their spores bloom. The growth of BBA is slow due to low light which is probably why you don't see it initially. That should be a better explanation than the current thing since that is more for CO2 enrichment. Just trim the affected parts off and see if it returns.

Regards,
Peter Gwee

[CK Yeo]

Or, it has nothing to do with CO2 at all.

ck