Tom B

[hadog]

Tom

I know I have to be patient but my algae problem is getting worst. It looks like blackish/grey hair. It is on most of the plants. I tried to remove it but it just will not come off.....pruning the plants would actually get rid of the plant itself. The vals are really bad.

I am using the fert and co2 as suggested....the plants are pearling and there is growth but I am afraid that I am going to lose everything planted in the tank.
Should I just be patient or should I try the blackout method?
This algae seems to be very tough
I did do a major cleaning job last week...removed a lot of plant growth with algae but it just seems to be worst now.


hadog

 

[hadog]

Re: Tom B

Here are some pics of what I am up against

Anyone able to identify this? AND suggest a cure

 

[hadog]

Re: Tom B

Can anyone identify this algae and what methods to use to get rid of it?
Pictures in previous post.

 

[dkarmona]

Re: Tom B

Well it looks like brush algae. I am not expert but I think the blackout method won´t work with this algae. Cleaning is a nightmare since it is better to prune your plants. I have been able to keep it in check by doing the 50% water changes and dosing macros and micros everyother day. But if I get lazy or I get a amonia spike everything turns upside down again. I guess is a long way before one can get rid of this algae or at least keep it in check.

Erik Olson has some nice photos of Algae, but I wasn't able to find the link.

Diego

 

[Wö£fëñxXx]

Re: Tom B

Gezzus Hadog, thats ugly..lol prune off what you can and increase you're c02 even more, that would be a good start...

 

[hadog]

Re: Tom B

I am now in the final day of a blackout but I think you are right, it will do little good but will hope. I will increase the co2 when the blackout is over.

I thnk the end result is that I am going to lose most of my plants.

 

[dkarmona]

Re: Tom B

I don't think you are going to loose all your plants, mine were convered in this black thing, I pruned the leaves that were all covered and leaved the ones that were partialy covered, and then checked I had enough CO2, and then did everything else macros and micros. Plants began to grow again, then you can prune again and keep doing it until all you have is nice leaves and your tank goes back to normal. Unfortunatelly for me it has been a long journey and when I get bored the algae tries to come back.

In the end if the plants are growing the algae doesn't grow as fast. That has worked for me, and my plants look better than they did 3 months ago. So don't give up.

Diego

 

[dkarmona]

Re: Tom B

Well this is taken out of context, they are small parts from an email sent by Tom

This will not make your BBA go away, but it will make the plants much
healthier and able to grow faster and this will allow you to prune more
agressively and remove the offending/infected parts.

The BBA should not grow if you have enough CO2 and add the KNO3/PO4/Traces.

Hope this helps

Diego

 

[hadog]

Re: Tom B

Thanks for the reply and encouragement!!

It is very frustrating...trying to get a balance of things and not really knowing what is out of balance. Going by what I have read so far it just might be the co2...just not enough, I am keeping the ferts (micro & macro) up and the lighting is good. It is hard to check the co2, other than watching the ph level and fish behaviour...my bubble counter wasn't the best...I had it set for 2 bubbles a second...guess I need more.

Will plug away at it.

My biggest problem is that I am no where close to a supply of plants. For me to get any type I have to travel 250 miles one way....so it is not something I do on a regular basis, so any plants I do get I treasure.

One of these days I wil have a nice looking planted tank!!!