Black Beard/Brush Algae

Anyone have any tips on getting rid of this stuff?
What has worked for you?

Some pics of the stuff...




This is how it starts, on the edges...

 

Here's some info for you

I had the same problem for weeks and eventually I kicked the BBA's ass

What worked for me was that I dosed the tank with Florish Excel and I also allowed my plants to completely invade the tank. I removed some leaves that were heavilly covered in it; basically I removed as much of the algae manually before I started to do my dosing. This was one case where my std approach of fixing tank issues didn't work. Oh yes, I did a 80% water change before I added the chemicals

Must admit that SAE do a very good job at chomping this algae, so if you have a few, they'll do the job for you. THe one SAE I have has controlled BBA in my other tank....hardly see it anymore

 

Thanks Dale, thats good info.

 

you can also get a Moolighlight Guorami. Flourish works well. Follow dosing requirements carefully. not all plants react favorably to it

 

Oh yah...that's right. Moonlight Gouramis & Black Mollies eat this type of algae. Trick to remember here is to not feed them too much food, else they won't be eager to eat the algae.

 

Thanks guys, going to weigh up my options... will post updates later on.

 

In the interim, remove the hair algae manually as you see it. The longer they get time to settle in and grow thick on your plants, the more difficult it becomes to remove it later

 

DALE!!! The algae has turned pinkish... does this mean it's dying?
I'm into my 3rd day dosing with Flourish Excel.

 

Well I'm not sure but I would think that the pinkish colour is a sign of it being trashed. Maybe give tomorrow a rest on the dosing and then continue the following 3 days....I only dosed my tank once and it did the job for me in containing it.

 

Well the stubborn brush algae has finally been beat.
The flourish excel worked wonders, thanks for the suggestion Dale.

When the BBA became a big problem, i immediately set up my DIY CO2 again after some research. I then followed Solex's tip and got some flourish excel.

Within a few days of starting the treatment, the algae started turning pink; I am convinced this was the sign of the algae being starved. Over the past week the BBA has almost completely vanished. During this time my plants freaked out, growth was hugely boosted. I really need to start trimming the plants back... some update pics are definitely due, will post some this evening.

 

dont prune just yet...wait another while...make 100% sure the algae is completely gone by letting your plants grow invasively.

 

Thanks Dale, will do...

Here are the pics.
The Vallis was put in this evening (Thanks Zafgak)

 

Hey Lee - A really good looking tank

Always a pleasure to be of service, At least now we don't have to post a pic of the Vallis

 

Sjoe but that looks awesome Lee! You really kicked the BBA's ass mate

Suggestion - Perhaps move the val behind the logs as it is really a backdrop plant and it is currently taking some focus away from your wood.

 

Correct. If it turns pink it is dying.

 

looks great

 

Thanks guys...

Zafgak - Was nice to see your setup... massive operation.

Solex - That is exactly what i need to do, for now i just put it in. The plan is to move the vallis to the back and coner. I still have my other peice of mopani that needs to go back.
As soon as the baby cacatuoides are a little bigger i will do the "rescape"
At the moment the inmates are in the corner taking up the space... Anyone looking for 3 bumblebee gobies? Come and fetch.

Risen - Thanks for the confirmation

Pic of the BBA's end...

 

Might want to give the gobies to Gert as he is breeding with them at the moment. So I'll book them on his behalf in the interim.

 

Cool, no problem

 

The tanks looking great Lee - well done!