FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hello, on most of my plants in my tank, there seems to be all this black hair-like things growing off them. Any ideas on what it is? There is vallisnera, java fern and some other assorted plants that I don't know the name of.

thanks

sumo

It's algae. Sounds like Black Beard Algae or fuzz algae. Slowgrowing plants like Java Fern are like a magnet for the stuff.

Had the problem my self a while back. Solution:, a Siamese Algae Eater, the only fish that will touch the stuff. If you are using ferts try to ease up for a while. If the leaves on the Java Fern are getting a lot of light some shade may help (I noticed my fern was only attacked on the leaves closest to the light).

A combination of 2 SAE, reduced ferts, and more shade for the slower growing plants pretty much wiped it out. Still some there but almost invisible.

---

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.

My beard algae solution was adding carbon to the filter, i stopped to use plant fertilizer and the CO2 system. Then I just did regular water changes over a few weeks and most of it went away. What is left looks like it is unhealthy and wont last much longer. and my plants are doing well with this treatment.


~*~ Caviar? no thanks! ~*~