Black GSA...right?

[scottward]

View attachment 2902

This "sooty" black algae forming on some leaves of my plants.....this is a black form of Green Spot Algae isn't it?

I don't have any on the glass, just on the plants/rocks.

I don't believe it's diatoms; it doesn't come off easily (leaves have to be removed).

Definitely not BBA; I'm very familiar with that.

Dosing 1 tsp of Mono-Potasium Phosphate 3x per week for my 100g.

Scott.

 

[dutchy]

Probably GSA allright. besides PO4, Also CO2 can be a part of the cause. Note that there is a delay in getting rid of GSA, it takes arpund two weeks before growth stops.

 

[scottward]

In my case it's been there for months, but the plants are growing pretty well though, and algae is otherwise not too bad (apart from a few diatoms).

Silicates are also a factor to GSA I think?

So, water changes could keep introducing silicates?

Scott.

 

[Biollante]

Black Beard Algae in Another Form...

Hi Scott,

It is almost certainly red algae, one of the three common manifestations. :cower:

Biollante

 

[scottward]

Hi Scott,

It is almost certainly red algae, one of the three common manifestations. :cower:

Biollante

Red algae? As in BBA?

But it's flat - not fluffy at all....?

So a blackout won't get rid of it?

 

[philiprambo]

Its really good.Thanks a lot for sharing.

 

[scottward]

...and I thought I knew everything about this hobby! Yeah right!

For some reason I thought there was only 1 freshwater species of Red algae.

I be wrong (not the first time).

Ok, so this particular variety of Red Algae that I have is, I assume, just as much of a pain in the backside as the fluffy variety; it's a case of prune of the leaves, or bleach dip the plants etc etc.

I suppose I could take the fish out, drop the water level right down so that the tenellus is exposed, spray it with Excel....? This would do the trick I believe?

Scott.

P.S. I know why it appeared too. Bubble counter clogged up, CO2 level dropped, water warmed up -> plant metabolism went up...........root cause analysis done.

 

[StefanCampbell]

Although red algae do not grow as large as brown seaweeds, they display a very wide range of growth forms from single-celled species through to delicate filaments, crusts, densely branched, or expanded blades. Members of the family Delesseriaceae include some of the most delicate thalli found in the red algae.

 

[scottward]

Although red algae do not grow as large as brown seaweeds, they display a very wide range of growth forms from single-celled species through to delicate filaments, crusts, densely branched, or expanded blades. Members of the family Delesseriaceae include some of the most delicate thalli found in the red algae.

The Delesseriaceae family is marine though isn't it?

Scott.

 

[scottward]

I'm hoping 2 weeks of triple strength Excel dosing will clean this stuff up.

The leaves look pretty good underneath.

Scott.

 

[scottward]

Hmmm. 1 week at double strength has done bugger all. Should I be more patient or up the dose?

 

[Biollante]

Think O2

Hi Scott,

I am pretty sure that is red algae, as in BBA, I do not think Excel is more than marginally effective.

• Actually, I do not think it has any effect at all…
• But, if I say that then someone will come swooping in, loudly proclaiming its magical benefits.
• So, I would just cite your experience and that of many others and move on.
• Then the Sheriff of the internet would be all over my case again…

Red algae hate Oxygen…:gw

Biollante

 

[scottward]

Hi Bio (and guru team),

Thanks for your help mate, appreciate it.

Yeah, despite what I've read it really doesn't seem to be doing anything....

Sure, directly dabbed on the algae will nuke it, but I can use bleach/H2O2 even a strong salt solution to do that...

But as far as water column dosing........nada as yet.

I'll bump the dose up to a triple dose for the next week just to see what happens (I don't think this will do any harm to the plants, as triple dosing seems to be 'normal' treatment anyway).

It's interesting what you say about O2. I am using 2 canisters....I remember our discussions about this before.

I really would like to move to a sump at some stage........

I've often wondered about my O2 levels.

I'm going to (right now) go and increase my surface turbulence a little more.

Do you think fluctutation in CO2 (perhaps related to temp fluctutation) + low(ish) O2 could be the root cause for the type of red algae as per my photo post #1 ?

I have a bottle of H2O2 - I was going to use it do dab the rocks etc when exposed, but I know I can dose water column. But I have a feeling I would need lots and lots of it to get any benefit, and that I would have to dose it multiple times per day???

If I can get rid of this algae, and keep it away, I think I'm really 'getting there', I'm a lot better at this than I was...I've come a long way........too far to turn back......... :_)

Scott.

 

[Biollante]

H2O2 Is The Napalm of the War On Algae...

Hi Scott,

If you have 3% Hydrogen peroxide, you can safely dose a 100-gallon tank 20-milliters four times a day. In fact dosing a 100-gallon tank 2-4 times a day will help increase the DO, especially during hot weather. The rate can also make biological filtration far more effective.

Using a turkey baster, cooking syringe or whatever, squirt the 3% H[SUB]2[/SUB]O[SUB]2[/SUB] directly on the red algae (or most unwanted algae for that matter). Avoid directly dosing desirable mosses and ferns.

Actually, any 100-gallon aquarium can safely be dosed 20-mililiters four times a day.

• A 100-gallon aquarium with “problems” (low DO, high DOC, and BGA so on) can be dosed five times that rate.
  
• Be careful as the “problems” begin to clear, reduce the dosage.
  

Increasing Oxygen in the water column will help.

At water changes a toothbrush (make sure your significant other doesn’t catch you) on all exposed hard surfaces is incredibly effective. Dipping said toothbrush in 3% H[SUB]2[/SUB]O[SUB]2[/SUB] or Fleet Enemas helps.

As far as the Excel is concerned, I suspect you can kill every critter in your tank with it and the red algae will survive.:numbness:

[video=youtube;bPXVGQnJm0w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPXVGQnJm0w[/video]

Biollante