Black Algae ?

[NZed]

I have a problem with a black algae in my tank.
Its 180 lite tank with 10 small to medium sized goldfish...
Using a eheim pro filter.
I change the water ...top up 1/4 to 1/3 every two to four weeks.
I have a number of varieties of cold water plants.

I have noticed originally that the black algae was minimal and was
restricted to certain plants...smothering the small leaves.
Now its got worse and the black algae is on all the plants and the algae has
progressed to being a furry black algae.

Does anyone know what it is and how to treat it.

I have tried to remove the plants and clean them individually....to no
avail.

On closer inspection to the gravel its growing there too.

Suggestions ?

NZed

[Geezer From The Freezer]

NZed wrote:
>
> I have a problem with a black algae in my tank.
> Its 180 lite tank with 10 small to medium sized goldfish...
> Using a eheim pro filter.
> I change the water ...top up 1/4 to 1/3 every two to four weeks.
> I have a number of varieties of cold water plants.
>
> I have noticed originally that the black algae was minimal and was
> restricted to certain plants...smothering the small leaves.
> Now its got worse and the black algae is on all the plants and the algae has
> progressed to being a furry black algae.
>
> Does anyone know what it is and how to treat it.
>
> I have tried to remove the plants and clean them individually....to no
> avail.
>
> On closer inspection to the gravel its growing there too.
>
> Suggestions ?
>
> NZed

NZed,

Are your nitrates creeping up, you do have a heavily stocked tank!

[NanK]

Sounds like your tank is overstocked.

Anyway, go to
www.algone.com
and try their product. I believe it is only available on line and
through them directly.

Also, try PURIGEN from SEACHEM to remove pollutants from the water. The
pouch is expensive, but you will see a difference right away. You can
get Purigen through PetSmart. Lots of on-line stores also sell it.

Good luck.

n

[Logic316]

NanK wrote:
> Sounds like your tank is overstocked.
>
> Anyway, go to
> www.algone.com
> and try their product. I believe it is only available on line and
> through them directly.
>
> Also, try PURIGEN from SEACHEM to remove pollutants from the water. The
> pouch is expensive, but you will see a difference right away. You can
> get Purigen through PetSmart. Lots of on-line stores also sell it.

Black algae is like herpes. Once you get it, it seems you have it for
life. It's very persistent, and I've read that algae treatment products
can often make black algae worse by only killing off the competing
strains of algae that help to limit it. If Algone doesn't do the trick,
then you might want to try taking out your plants and gravel and pouring
hydrogen peroxide over the affected areas. That will definitely kill off
the algae, though it's a radical treatment that might hurt the plants
somewhat as well, but you may have little choice.

- Logic316



"A democracy is when three wolves and one sheep vote on what to have for
dinner."

[Tom Wood]

Read this article:

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/red-algae.html

Although that algae can appear black, it's really considered a red algae.

Unless you are willing to provide for live plants, and it's not an
insignificant effort, then plastic may be the way to go.

TW