longhornxtreme

HI all,

I've been fighting this dark algae for quite a while. I've posted a link to an outside gallery. Take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think. I realize that most of it is GSA - which I can't seem to shake. But look at the black stuff on the Valisneria... I get that on my Crypts too, however, I had just recently pruned a bunch of them so I didn't have any good examples to take pictures of... Is something just happening to the GSA that makes it turn black? The reason why I think no, is because I still get the black junk even if the GSA is under control. Typically, GSA isn't a big problem, but I've been mucking about for the last 2 months really trying to beat this black stuff... My PO4 must be a little low.

I guess what I don't understand is why some parts of the tank are pristine, and other parts of the tank look awful. Is it because the otos take care of the better looking parts, but avoid the high flow areas or areas where the angel might be aggressive?

http://jrmiller.smugmug.com/gallery/7078873_3XLrj/1/#453695540_QqgGT-A-LB

The algae seems to occur in the higher flow areas of the tank and not so much in the low flow areas of the tank. Does that make sense at all to any of you?

Sorry for the lack of a pleasing aquascape... I'm still new at this, and school has been eating up all my time lately.

Tank specs:

• EI dosing using homemade solution w/ dry ferts - I add Mg to the macros but not Ca, water is pretty hard around here
• CSM+B for micros (I do have a full bottle of Fluorish, and Fluorish Iron sitting around if that would help)
• regular dose of excel every other day
• 29G
• Eco-complete
• Eheim classic canister
• 2x36 w T5 Normal output coralife 30'' fixtures - only running 1 currently until I get this black algae figured out; I've played with photo period but to no avail; it is at 8.5 hours currently. A new canopy plus 2 24" T5HO giesemann's have a piggy bank that is about halfway there budget wise.
• pressurized CO2 - bubbles are fed into intake on eheim - 1 bps, seems if I go any higher it really stresses the fish
• I have a powerhead in the tank to occasionally blow O2 into the tank to clear up the surface crud.
• The airstone you see used to be on a timer to clear up the surface crud, I really only keep it there in case of a CO2 emergency...

Fish:

• 7 H. Rasboras
• 1 Koi Angel
• 5 Green Cories
• 2 Otos

Seattle_Aquarist

Hi longhornxtreme,

In some of the pictures it looks like regular GSA to me. I think the dark "clumpy" algae in a couple of the pictures it possibly a different algae. You might try more Potassium for the GSA and dry dosing with Flourish Excel, per the "sticky" in this forum, for the other algae.

longhornxtreme

I know that most of it is GSA; any ideas on what the dark clumpy algae is?

Seattle_Aquarist

Sorry longhornxtreme, I have not seen it before. It doesn't look like the black brush algae, I have had that in the past, and it doesn't look like blue green algae. Maybe it's just algae?!!! If you haven't tried the Excel treatment you might consider it, but your Vals will probably suffer. Sorry, wish I could be of more help.

longhornxtreme

I appreciate your time!

I've tried excel overdoses... funny thing is that my Vals seem to do just fine.

In a month or so, all those plants are going to get replaced after I build my new plumbing parts.

HeyPK

The black spots may be small colonies of black beard algae that your otos chew down, but do not remove. Try releasing some hydrogen peroxide on them. If they turn pink, then it is definitely bba. I have ramshorn snails in my tanks, and they take care of green spot algae.

Zapins

I have also seen what looks like black GSA from time to time in my tanks. It seems to show up particularly on old abubias leaves. I also don't know what it is. I don't think mine is BBA because I don't have anything in the tank that would chew it down. Next time I see it, I'll tank it to my algae professor so he can ID it.

longhornxtreme

I've got a syringe; I'll try some H2O2 today or tomorrow. Good idea to try and rule out BBA!

I've never used H2O2 in a tank; are there any guidelines as to dosage amount / concentration of the H2O2?

Zapins: Is your signature quote from a game called "Cannon Fodder"?

HeyPK

I have never used the stuff, myself, but I recall seeing quite a lot of discussion on the algae forum about local dosing of algae and observations that black beard (or brush) algae turns pink. Somebody else who has done this will have to tell you about the strength to use. I am sure that somebody will!

longhornxtreme

THanks... I'll do some forum searching later on today!