FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi..take a look at this site..www.actwin.com
There they have some really good stuff of algae problems (brush algae problems) and others..really a helpful site
..good luck

---

I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

Algae killers don't work in the long run folks.

Growing plants and giving the plants what they want does.
That was the original goal was it not?

You've learned to kill algae, not grow plants yet.

Anyone can kill it with copper, H2O2 etc and still leave the plants intact.

But all algae will come back if you don't correct the conditions that caused it to begin with.

As I said, add 20-30ppm of CO2 during the photoperoid, if you cannot do that, you will have one form of algae or another and your tank will never truly thrive.

If you use it, use it correctly, not half way.
As I said, I've not had it for well over a decade.
Germans have known this for the same amount of time as well.

It's very common with folks using DIY CO2.

Regards,
Tom Barr

I tried the Co2 approach too, but it didn't worked, go figure!

This thing also gets rid of snails!!! cool!

Gotta love those Taiwanese !

I was heading for a major brush algae problem. It was becoming a real problem. Almost destroyed my huge 20" tall sword.Since I set up the pressurised Co2 system and got the levels up I have not seen a single tuft
I trimmed off all infected leaves and all the plants have come back bigger and stronger. Hopefully it will stay that way.

Seems this can be beat

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Hi!

Well I have to say that Azoo has done it again! I just got a new product of theirs that's called Brush Algae Killer, it's a 14 day treatment, and so far I've only used it for 5 days, but so far so good! Many of the tufts have disappeared or wilted. Plans and fish show no signs of stress or intoxication. It does specify that will cause the tank to mini cycle, so they recommend water changes every 3 days, I've done as indicated and everything seems fine, I'll keep you all posted on the results after treatment.

It has come to my attention that Furazone-light, a med used for fin rot, will rid the tank of BBA...

The water will turn a yellowish green for 10 days and the plants will respond unfavorably but will return to health.

--garyroland.

Hi all, thanks for all the advise, I do have about 6 SAE in that tank, either they don't care about the stuff or it's to much for them to get rid of. Anyway I've been cutting leaves and doing water changes more often and it seems it's starting to slow down.

But I just realized something, and I may be wrong, but, I think this started when I started feeding my plecos and hillstream loaches with algae wafers, I'm not blaming them still, but I was wondering if some of you that had the same problem do the same, I mean feed with algae wafers. Just hoping to have a good reason.

On other tanks with no plecos and not using the wafers, no BBA. hmmmm

SAEs may works. my saes do a good job of cleaning brush algae up. but only on more durable plants. small leafy plants tend to get distroyed by the SAEs in the process. i have a big school of 12 most about 6 inches. ive gotten alot of plants free or really cheap from LFS that have a algae problem and cant sell the plants. i toss them in my tank and they are cleaned up, with the exception of alot of baby tears and rotica that got chewed up in the process and has been moved to my grow out tank

Tom,

Good to see you back. Just mentioned your name in an e-mail with FRANK on how you hadn't been around.
Hopefully the new pressurized Co2 system will me get mine under control.

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Good CO2 levels at 20-30ppm will solve the issue. The BBA will stop growing at least, you can trim it off from there, add SAE's, use small amounts of H2O2 on infected areas etc.

Once an alga stops growing, then you got it beat.

If you cannot maintain the CO2 level, you will have troubles with BBA among others.

I have not had BBA for 10 years, done many tanks since then, used DIY etc also and gas tank CO2.

It's poor CO2 levels for it to occur.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Lately my 50G tanks has been having recurrent blooms of brush algae. It appears as small, furlike tufts, in this case black (it can also be brown). I has grow in the volcanic rock and on the leaves of some plants, it seems to have favorites. and around the filters.

I've looked everywhere and in any book I've come across to find out how to get rid of it, they all agree in the same point: Nobody knows what really causes it!! So none name any special conditions for it's bloom.

Needless to say it's way frustrating, because one day it was taking over, I can't dose an algae remover because the one for this particular one, is poisonous to plants, so, I would like to know if anyone here has any experience with this kind of algae and it's eradication. Black outs and CO2 do nothing for it.

Otto's won't touch it. SAE's will at least the newer growth.

Unforunately having the same problem myself. Came out of nowhere, bugger to get rid of, but as Falstaff said seems to be selective on plant choice. It has hit some plants badly, not touched others. I've got 2 Anubias Nana side by side, one is under constant attck, the other not a spot ....?

At the moment I'm cutting infected leaves to try to get a grip on it. Just started co2 injection yesterday hoping that will make a difference.

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

i've heard otos will eat almost anything

I've got the same crap growing over my anubias and my lilaeopsis.

It's SOOO irritating.

But I did find that my CO2 reactor hasn't been up to scratch, and after what babelfish mentioned I'm assuming high levels of CO2, and the associated plantlife keeping waterborne nutrients to a minimum may in fact keep the BBA to a minimum.

I've also heard the best way to get rid of it is trim off the affected areas and hope for the best.

We'll see.

keep us posted on how it goes.
i have some of those too, and they keep clinging to the Anubia and Java Fern, and to rough inate surfaces.
it isn't that bad for now

Thanks! I'll try more water changes.

The frustrating thing is that it just popped up one day, nothing was changed in the tank, nothing added, no stock increase or reduction, automatic feeding, same water parameters, and it did looked cute, but now that is on the leaves of the plants it looks awful!!!! and I just read somewhere else that the ONLY way to get rid of it for sure, is to toss all the stuff in the tank away!!! and still there is no guarantee. NO WAY! I'll try anything before starting over again with that tank, it has taken me a year to finally make it look as I wanted.

falstaf:

Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt
Yup. I'm quite familiar with the stuff. Tough as nails to get rid of.
You've got to admit, though, that little tufts here and there are quite attractive. When it starts taking over the tank, it does not look so good.

I have one planted tank where it has taken hold. Don't know where it came from. One day, it just started.
This tank is all slow-growing plants - java fern and anubias.
I'm still struggling with it, but repetitive water changes is seeming to have a positive effect of keeping it in check.
-Wayne

I was told, if I remember correctly, that BBA is similar to hair algae, and they pointed to what I suppose we can call varying levels of CO2 in the tank. In that it forms when DIY CO2 decreases before the bottles are switched. Now I'm assuming that in a 50 you're not running DIY.....

Only solution that was given to me was multiple small water changes. I know that's not much of a help however .

^_^
*Proud member of the Committee for Sig Line Restoration*

I have 3 plecos in that tank

Hi,
I believe a "Pleco" or two might relish this algae and
make short work of it.
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--