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Having some problems.... fish look OK... Black Algae is covering my plastic plants, growing on my real plants and no mater how often I clean the glass, within a day it's back on the glass. There is also white particles being launched from the pump into the tank.

I have recently had a stubborn case of Nitrates that will not fall below 30. I bought plants. I bought a new light, Power Glo,3Watt. I've kept it on for 12 hours. The plants look better, but the Algae continues.

Today, I noticed white flecks circulating in the water. I did a water change (my second this week), clean the gravel (lots of white stuff came up the cleaner). Turned the pump back on and WOW.... tons more white stuff was propelled into the tank. Nothing was in the filter, so I took apart the hose. The inside was white where it hooks to the pump. I took a look... stuck my finger in the hose.... nothing came out. Turned the filter back on... and MORE white stuff came out.

Any clues would be helpful with my two problems.... white particles/black algae. In this world of fish, when you do one thing... tons of other stuff starts to happen. I beginning to think leave well enough alone. I love my tank and want to get it right. Please help.

55 gallon
temp: 80
nitrites: 0
nitrates:30
PH: 7.0
wet/dry 75 filtration system
1/4 planted / 1/2 plastic
2 bala sharks
5 columbia tetras
4 angels
3 cories
2 clowns
3 black skirt tetras
2 busmani rainbows
(all fish are pretty young = not big)

Black beard algae is a tough customer...

Usually you can jiggle all the nitrates you want but to no avail.

My suggestion has always been to break down the tank and mixing 50% Clorox with 50% water soak the gravel and contents of the tank for a half hour to kill the algae.

Cut the leafs off live plants that have the algae on them and wipe off the rest of the leafs.

Wipe down the tank with the solution and rinse well. Let dry for an hour or two and refill.

Hobbyists who have taken this approach report the black beard algae did not return.

The particles you are seeing are probably coming from the gravel or any ornaments in the tank that are breaking down.

Rinse the gravel well and observe any particles that are being released from the gravel. You may consider replacing the gravel if the material is breaking down.

--garyroland.

As always, your help is appreciated.

Thanks for the information. Not exactly what I expected to hear. Luckily I have a 30 gallon tank going... I'll transfer the fish to that tank... and do as you suggested. Will the fish carry algae to the other tank?

Since the white particles are being launched from the filtration system, could the white particles be calcium deposits that are beginning to break off? Should I add salt to the filtration system?

The "white particles" are originating from something that is breaking down...

Your job would be to discover something white, anything, that could cause the particles and remove it.

Sometimes a hobbyist will not soak and rinse new gravel before placing in the tank and sediment ends up in the tank water.

Fish do not transfer black beard algae.

Keep in mind that black beard algae was on this planet probably before the dinosaurs roamed.

--garyroland.

The white particles are coming from the filter...
And it's happening because you're turning off the filter..
When you turn it off, most of the water drains out and the sponge media on the uppermost of your filter dries to some degree. Soon as the water current hits it again some of the partially dried particles loosen up and detach from the sponge, into your tank..

Thought 2, hard water... Ya know the white crusty stuff ?

One way to deter is smaller more frequent water changes where you leave filter plugged in and running, just unplug the heater. Whenever I unplug filter for an hour or more I get those particles also.

The Amazon Nut...

THanks.... I'm on the track that the white particles are in fact hard water deposits developing in the hose line. I bought a water conditioning pillow.

RE: BLACK ALGAE --- it's gone or probably more realisticly stated, controlled!!! After the comments on this site and reading up on Black Algae, here's what steps I took...
1. Continued water changes to control Nitrates
2. Increased plants...Had four plants, bought four more
3. Purchased plant friendly lighting
4. Increased lights-on to 12 hours a day
4. Washed with deluted bleach all decor...then rinsed/soaked overnight to make sure bleach was gone
5. Purchased a PLECO and two CHINESE ALGAE EATERS

Within three days the PLECO and two Chinese Algae Eaters had my tank sparkling clean. Every bit of alage on the plants and glass was gone. My nitrates are still at 30, and I am continuing to uncover the problem there.... with frequent water changes and less food.

More importantly, my plants are now doing great too. Thanks everyone. I have moved to a successfully planted, algae controlled aquarium. Unbelieveable! I was sooo close to giving up on the planted aquarium.

Lucy

30 is too much nitrates, shoot for 15.
It's a prob in my cichlid tank also... Also working on it..

You might find the water softener pillow helpful but the one I used was a big waste of $$$. Not only that but you'll raise the salt level in the tank and some fish/plants might not appreciate that, although trace amounts can be beneficial. Salt does not evaporate so the levels will climb with extended use of the pillow. If you research peoples use of one on the internet, you'll see.

How often do you clean or change your filter media ?
That might be more effective (I don't change my media as much as I should)

The Amazon Nut...