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i have some weird looking blackish red algae on my plant's leaves. mainly the anubias. my hornwort havent been affected as much or at all.

i cant just rub it off, i can scrub it off with an algae cleaner though, but thats a lil too rough.

is there any way to clean this stufF?

You might want to start by getting to the source of the problem. Is the tank's chemistry a bit off (high phosphates, nitrates, or whatnot)? Are the plants too tall and right under the lights? Do you have any algae eating critters (shrimp, ottos, BN, etc)?

If everything is right 'bout the tank, they do sell algicides (you probably have some in yer watercoolin' system in yer computer ) that you can dump in your tank...but they're not reccommended because they screw up the tank, and they don't fix the problem--they just kill off the algae for a bit

the plants that are affected most are actually not close to the lights at all, theyre below mid level. i dont have any chemical tests around and i dont feel like throwing some anti-freeze in my tank >.<

Hmm...probably something with the chemistry of the tank then...

Why do you have antifreeze in your WC? Is it chilled?

Does it look like black fuzz? If so, it sounds like the brush algae that I'm battling right now. Loves slow growers like anubias, Javas, and clovers. I got a good tip to add more faster growing plants to combat it. The more plants using the nutirents, the less the algae gets. If your tank's lightly planted like mine, that is more than likely the cause.

Whatever you do, try to cure it naturally before you use algicides and other treatments. There are some fish that eat the stuff, but they can be hard to find... true SAE's for example.

Check out this thread to see some more advice that Bensaf gave me on this topic... [link=http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Planted%20Aquaria/59493.html?200505201637]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Planted%20Aquaria/59493.html?200505201637" style="COLOR: #FF4040[/link]

unfortuneatly, i havent been able to identify this algae :|. i looked at a picture of the black brush algae, but my algae is completely flat. its relly pissin me off

ill read that thread u linked me to tho, thanks

Hi,
By your discription (hard, won't scrub off) it has all
the hallmarks of Black Bear/brush algae. It simply may not
have "brushed out" yet.
Here is a link that tells you about the various types of
algae, gives descriptions, and tells you how to eliminate
it:
http://www.otocinclus.com/articles/algae.html

Normally, the slow growing plants, such as the anubias
are the ones who become coated with algae. The "trick"
is to out compete the algae for the nutrients. Fast
growing stem plants can do that. Or, better yet, get some
floating plants. Any floating plant draws its nutrients
directly from the water and can soon out compete the algae
causing it to die off. As the floating plants grow they
will shade the low light demand plants (anubis).
The result of the shading is that the low light plants
will grow faster and fuller as they strive to take advantage
of the available light.

Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 27-May-2005 19:13

Last edited by FRANK at 27-May-2005 19:15

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:| well i guess thats the only explanation. i have a bunch of hornwort on the other side of my tank. the algae does seem to be dieing down ever since i ran outta the packets i need to create Co2 in the hagen system.

thanks for all the help.