Hi all,
recently discovered algae growing on my narrow java. It is black and specky, almost like small black spiders or bunch of short hairs. now parts of my narrow java fern looks as if it hasnt shaved for some days. I've done 3 days black out but then the growth has not stop. have not tried using excel method..should i get a bottle of excel just for algae?
Does anyone know wad kind of algae is it and the remedies for it?
Thanks!
Last edited by Thirteen; 19th Dec 2007 at 18:39.
Sounds like you have a case of the dreaded Black Brush Algae (BBA). Go ahead with excel treatment, i don't think there's any other effective way (i wouldn't call SAE effective) of getting rid of it. Try and hunt down the source of the problem too (e.g. poor flow?) or it'll just come back at a later date
Yippie!! Reptiles and Fishies!
You can also use yamato shrimps.. get the small ones...i think c328 has them..
ic...zzz..sian. I'll try the excel treatment..using syringe and stop pumps during black out?
You can give nerite snails a try, Its consume almost all types of algae.Originally Posted by Thirteen
I had tried it before in a previous tank setup. It really clear up almost every bit of algae. But one caution though.... Remove them once they have get the job done before they start laying whitish looking egg which are difficult to remove.
err..what are Nerite snails? are they those very common snails or need to be bought from LFS? I have plentiful of snails (i do not know the name) in my tank. Just tried to apply excel on BBA infected plants. Off my pumps, light and Co2. Going to try this for 2-3 days. Was thinking if i should do 30%-40% water change to "reset" nutrient column. I'm guess my iron dosing is too much... Anyone wants to loan SAEs ?? haha, read from some other website SAE will eat most algaes too.
my only worry is my cherry shrimps..
Other than using the "Excel Treatment", try to remove mechanically as much BBA as you can from the rocks, plants or tank equipment. Then get your CO2 levels up so that the plants can grow well and prevent BBA for returning. Good luck.
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Sheesh.... work is really keeping me away from my hobby
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No, this are not the common snails that comes into your tank without invitation. You will have to buy them from LFS.
It looks similar to this (borrow the pic from another thread) , though the pattern on the shell may varies.
Go give them a try.
try getting a couple of algae controllers in your tank, i have a few shrimps, snail and amano shrimps.
Alright, some updates, attempted Excel treatment.
Day1
Off filter and black out, using syringe, i applied excel to the BBA. Leaves fully with alot of BBA, i remove them.
Day2
water became cloudy, did 30% water change as well as remove DW with ferns. Ferns are the main plants infested with BBA. bring them to toilet and apply excel on the leaves. Allow treating for 15-20mins. Misted leaves 3x with bits of excel. After which i rinse with water and place them back into tank.
Day3
The algae growth seems to slow down alot and i do not see much of them. The existing BBA however...seems to display a variety of colors. I'm seeing Violet, Deep purple, Red, Pink and copper blue BBA on the narrow java ferns.
and to think of it... Merry X' mas!!
Hi bro,Other than using the "Excel Treatment", try to remove mechanically as much BBA as you can from the rocks, plants or tank equipment. Then get your CO2 levels up so that the plants can grow well and prevent BBA for returning. Good luck.
my tank consist of cherry shrimps, will they be affected by the increase in CO2? Dare not attempt because i read from somewhere that the shells of shrimps are alkaline and that too much Co2 turns the water acidic making it dangerous for shrimps. And the "excel + Co2 treatment" seems to be too disruptive and carbonic? please advise me on this matter anyone?
Hi Julian,
Excel can be considered to be a quickfix solution to kill off the existing BBA. It is a temporary solution to the algae infestation in your tank.
Most of the time, algae gain a foothold in tanks because the plants are not growing well and often, it is because CO2 levels are insufficient. Maintaining high levels of CO2 ~ 30ppm with adequate lights and nutrients will allow plants to flourish thereby limiting algae growth. This is a long term solution to preventing algae.
Good luck.
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hi hi, check on the BBAs they turned white. does this means they're dead and will not propagate anymore?
http://www.petfish.net/articles/Inve...bra_Nerite.php
above is the link from another website about this nerite snail. I hope this helps.
Hi,
Yup, BBA turning white is a sign that they are off to meet their maker. However, they may have left BBA spores that are lurking in the shadows to make a comeback with a vengeance. Do keep up the CO2 and nutrient levels to forestall such a scenario.
Good luck.
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thanks thanks. no more BBA in my tank so far! even the white ones are gone! but the excel treatment have left quite a portion of my java and wendilov java fern black..
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