Effective ways to get rid of existing BBA?

[Roark33]

Hi all, need some help here. A few weeks back, my moss (Java/Taiwan) was hit badly with some brownish, beardlike looking algae( are these BBA?). Have since tranferred the badly affected moss into my shrimp tank and constant monitoring of my diy co2 has ensured no outbreak of this algae in my main tank.

My question is, what are effective methods to get rid of these existing algae on my moss? Would a blackout work and if yes, do I need to remove my shrimps during this period of blackout? Are there any other better or more effective methods should a blackout be useless in this situation?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[PeterGwee]

Blackouts are ineffective against BBA as far as I am concern. Good review of the CO2 over the entire week is the way to go if you use it. The BBA will stop growing if the CO2 is indeed high. All that is left is just trimming of the errant algae. Another point to take note is the light..lower lighting would mean lesser demand for CO2 and nutrients and hence more wiggle room. You seldom see issues with folks with low light, good CO2 and nutrients.

Regards
Peter Gwee :wink:

[hwchoy]

4 hungry yamato shrimps per foot run.

[Roark33]

Thanks Peter, so it seems the only way is to remove them manually . Well, if thats the only way, guess theres no choice, just that I was rather unwilling to do that as the moss has grown beautifully on the driftwood. Its currently residing in my shrimp + boraras tank with low light and no CO2. My taiwan moss in my main tank (10G) with CO2 and 36watts pl light is growing nicely with no sign of any algae and I'm on constant vigilance on the DIY CO2 consistency.

Choy, my yamatos totally ignored those algae, prefering to feast on Taiwan moss new shoots and ravaging my Monosolenium Tenerum

Can anyone point me to any sites which will aid in teaching me how to identify the different kinds of algae? Thanks.

[hwchoy]

unfortunately it would be hard to have hungry yamatoes in a moss tank. your only way out is aggressive nutrient control. reduce feeding, reduce bioload, ensure proper CO2 fertilisation and other nutrient balance.

[hwchoy]

Wait! did you say brownish threads on moss?

Search this forum for the various moss threads. there are some pics showing the rhizoid of moss, which is easily confused with BBA.

[shortman]

Check these articles on

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/red-algae.html
http://www.fishstreams.net/base.php?Type=Article&id=6
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/algae.htm
http://www.aquariumpros.com/cgi-faqpro/faq.cgi?printit

and with picture

http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/algae.htm


Thanks

[FC]

Other than mentioned, try Cigar fish and SAE. They must not be fed to be effective. Bare in mind they can turn aggrssive towards small fishes and discus.