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	BEARD ALGAE
fishowner Enthusiast Posts: 215 Kudos: 206 Votes: 3 Registered: 01-Dec-2003	ive been struggling with beard algae for some time now.im running a 28watt fluorescent, diy co2,root tabs. by the way,its a 10 gallon.i was told that nitrates/phosphates could be the problem so i bought some PHOS-X which removes nitrates,phosphates,nitrites.i've tried to remove it from the leaves with my hands as best i could. although it seems like my plants have gotten greener and are less spindly, the beard algae is still thriving any suggestions as to how i should remove this pest once and for all??
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	In addition to the phos-x you might want removing ferts, light and CO2 for a while. Removing as much by hand will help let the plants get an upper hand. PHOS-X which removes nitrates,phosphates,nitrites not sure on the nitrite removal, although I did see this @the LFS and would be interested in comments as to if it works....not trying to hijack of course ^_^
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
fishowner Enthusiast Posts: 215 Kudos: 206 Votes: 3 Registered: 01-Dec-2003	i'll try turnin my lights/co2 off
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
joe fishy Fish Addict Posts: 605 Kudos: 1355 Votes: 65 Registered: 21-Apr-2003	I've found increasing water changes (frequency more so than quantity) will also fight beard algae, as will the addition of other plants, such as hornwort (a nitrate gobbler, right, Babelfish?).
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	that it is joe fishy If you're have excess nitrAtes in the tank and you suspect it may be a cause of you BBA than by all means try and get some, don't get alot as it works quite effectivly, in my case too effectivly. Additionally for higher light tanks water wisteria is a fast growing fast consuming plant. Just be sure to either remove the plants, or suppliment nitrAtes once they have reached the lower levels...nothing quite like BGA after a nice round of BBA . ^_^
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
fishowner Enthusiast Posts: 215 Kudos: 206 Votes: 3 Registered: 01-Dec-2003	well i've had my lights and CO2 off for about a week now and the algae seems to be in remission.there is still some left so i'll keep it off for another week to make sure its all the way gone
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
fishowner Enthusiast Posts: 215 Kudos: 206 Votes: 3 Registered: 01-Dec-2003	well the algae is still there........tommorrow i'll get some hornwort or water wisteria if this does not work,is there some sort of algaecide that i could use or would this cause more damage than help??
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
Falstaf Fish Addict Posts: 785 Kudos: 1211 Votes: 196 Registered: 12-Feb-2004	is there some sort of algaecide that i could use or would this cause more damage than help?? Actually no, they do more harm than help, a few weeks a go i had this huge breakout of Beard Algae, just stoping ferts and less light is taking care of it, it's slow but it's the safest way to go, some "algaecides", harm many speces of plants, and once they are damaged, there is no way to bring them back to life.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
fishowner Enthusiast Posts: 215 Kudos: 206 Votes: 3 Registered: 01-Dec-2003	i mean its really not bothering me that much except that its ugly lookin and its using up my plant's available nutrients.i guess i could deal with it until it eventually leaves.....months later anyway's i havent been using ferts in quite some time,i'll turn my lights and co2 off again and then buy some water wisteria or hornwort to try and fight them off ps-i turned the lights back on because my plants weren't lookin too good after a month of no light,but i'll try it again
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
Falstaf Fish Addict Posts: 785 Kudos: 1211 Votes: 196 Registered: 12-Feb-2004	Sorry I guess we didn't explain ourselves very good, you don't have to go without light all the time, just less hours, for example if you usually turn your lights 12 hours a day period, go for an 8 hour period, if you still encounter problems go down to 6, in that way your plants will use all the light available to fulfill their photosynthesis process and use the extra nutrients in the tank, leaving the BA without nutrients or light to survive. You maybe want to get some Siamese algae eaters (not ottos), they love that stuff and will clean the one left.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
fishowner Enthusiast Posts: 215 Kudos: 206 Votes: 3 Registered: 01-Dec-2003	ok i get it now.sometimes i can just be stupid......anyways,i'll try droppin the hours per day although i dont think i'll get some siamese algae eaters since i already have a plecos in my tank and he's gettin kinda big.imma save up and buy a 29 gallon tank.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42


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