black algae (probably Chantarsia) - how to remove it?

[aga]

There are an awful black algae in my 3 months old 112l tank (light
power is about 40W). Does anybody know why they appeares and what
should I do to remove them? My snails (ampularias) eats it, but algae
still regenerates. They grow mostly on Vallisnerias and Bacopas. I'm
asking for an advise.

Aga

[GB]

On 4 Feb 2004 03:37:43 -0800, (aga) wrote:

>There are an awful black algae in my 3 months old 112l tank (light
>power is about 40W). Does anybody know why they appeares and what
>should I do to remove them? My snails (ampularias) eats it, but algae
>still regenerates. They grow mostly on Vallisnerias and Bacopas. I'm
>asking for an advise.
>
>Aga

You have probably the brush algae (red algae) in your tank, it is very
difficult to eradicate but it can be control. To much phosphate and
nitrate seem the principal reason of there fast propagation. Make a
25% of water change weekly for a month and at each two week after to
decrease the phosphate rate the lower as you can. Install fast
growing plant (ex. : Ceratopteris thalictroides, common name WATER
SPRITE) in your tank, they will use a lot of nutriment to the
detriment of the black algae. As you can see below, the Siamese Algae
eater should be part of the solution, do not mix up with the Chinease
algae eater who is similar in apperance but do not eat the brush
algae. The difference between the two is on the Siamese that the black
side bar on the fish go up to the V on the tail fin, the one of the
Chinease stop at the junction of the body and the tail fin. By my
personnal experience, the treatment with cooper was not very efficient
and it will also kill your others natural plants in your aquarium for
the reasult that you will increase the problem unless to resolve it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brush algae

This grows in feathery black tufts 2-3 mm long and tends to collect on
slower growing leaves like Anubias, some Echinodorus and other wide
leaf plants. Also tends to collect on mechanical equipment. This is
actually a red alga in the genus Audouinella (other names:
Acrochaetium, Rhodochorton, Chantransia). It cannot easily be removed
mechanically. Remove and discard the affected leaves. Equipment can be
soaked in a 25% bleach solution, then scrubbed to remove the dead
algae. Siamese Algae Eaters (Crossocheilus siamensis) are known to eat
this algae and can keep it in check. A more drastic measure is
treatment with copper.

Ref. : http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/algae.htm#types

GB

De la discussion jaillit la lumière.

[Mean_Chlorine]

(aga) wrote in message >...
> There are an awful black algae in my 3 months old 112l tank (light
> power is about 40W). Does anybody know why they appeares and what
> should I do to remove them? My snails (ampularias) eats it, but algae
> still regenerates. They grow mostly on Vallisnerias and Bacopas. I'm
> asking for an advise.

I am not familiar with Chantarsia, but I had another red alga,
Compsopogon, explode in my aquarium after I nutrient-shocked the tank
in an attempt to save my dying Vallisnerias. Images of the alga here:
http://mikes-machine.mine.nu/algae_gallery.htm#Staghorn_Alga

I broke the back of the infestation by removing all more heavily
affected leaves, and then introducing three siamese algae eaters. To
my surprise, the SAE's have been quite effective at removing this alga
- today I have to look very closely to find any.