Help on ID this algae - Brush Algae

[StanChung]

We're definitely not! There's a lot of us out there who dare not tinker with the water too much let alone consider dosing Excel in CRS tanks.

There's too much at stake...

[lwm999]

Depends on how much lighting you're running over the tank. With planted tanks, you're always trying to balance nutrients (fertilizers), co2, and light.

Is the tank heavily infested with the brush algae or is it just appearing in one or two places only? If it's the latter, you can spot treat it with hydrogen peroxide or Excel. Otherwise, take a look at co2 levels and the flow in the tank.

Sorry, I'm a newbie to this.

May I know how to do spot treat? Where to get Hydrogen Peroxide or Excel (is it Seachem Excel?)?

On CO2 levels, is it too low or too high that will encourage algae growth?

Thanks.

[Shadow]

yup seachem excel, just use syringe and inject directly to the BBA.

Algae grow due to inconsistent CO2 level, well at least that was my conclusion after reading several threads.

[Ibn]

Yup, it's a Sechem product, but if you can't find it, look for some hydrogen peroxide. Use a syringe (no needle) to spot treat the areas affect by it. Just make sure that you turn off your pump for about 5 minutes while you're doing so.

Low co2 levels or the lack of water movement will cause BBA growth. You can up the co2 to stop the spread of it, but it'll still stick around. When that happens, just spot treat the BBA. It should change color and eventually turn white. When that happens, your algae eaters will rip through it (especially Amanos).

[Shadow]

never try hydrogen peroxide before, does this safe for fishes and shrimps?

[danielo]

Anyone know where to buy Excel in Malaysia or Singapore? East Aqua in KL ran out and its the only store I know that carry it.

[StanChung]

You can get it at NA-balestier and Thompson or C328-Clementi. Please take a look at the LFS listings.

[Shadow]

many lfs in singapore selling excel.

[StanChung]

Do name a few as it would be helpful to members to find it in their area.

[danielo]

Thanks. I'll get my sister to get 2 bottles from NA and try them on BBA (sworn enemy for life)

[lwm999]

yup seachem excel, just use syringe and inject directly to the BBA.

I have bought the Excel and used syringe to inject directly to it. Do I have to do it daily, and for how long?
Thanks.

[Shadow]

it may case, it take 2 to 3 days (once an day) and it will turn to white

[Plantbrain]

Once you stop new BBA growth, you may as well trim the infected leaves off.
Easier, safer, cheaper than Excel or H2O2.

That infested leaf will never look good afterwards, so you may was well trim it off. New growth will fill in and you trim off the BBA slowly also over 2 weeks etc.

No need to use Excel or H2O2.
Why clean up a 1/2 dead leaf?

Fix the long term problem, prune the BBA off, if you feel a need to add Excel etc you can on top of that, but I've never had to use either for getting rid of BBA, just CO2 and pruning.

10 years ago there was no Excel and folks did not use H2O2 much.
But I have had little BBA once I focused on good CO2.

It can persist and bother folks for long time frames, but many are stubborn and do not want to address their CO2 issues sadly.


Regards,
Tom Barr

[lwm999]

The algae are mainly on the driftwood and on the surface of some of the equipments in water. Not much on the plant. Beside removing the algae manually, I want to see how effective is the Excel.

[Plantbrain]

Why treat the entire tank and stress plants/fish when all you have to do is remove, spray with bleach or H2O2 outside the tank?

That's easy to solve that issue.
A little work and clean your tank

Regards,
Tom Barr