Black brush algae..excess phosphates?

On Sat, 3 Jun 2006 15:08:55 -0500, "Koi-Lo" None wrote:


"dc" wrote in message
1...
"Koi-Lo" None At This Time wrote in :

Mark, that didn't work in my tanks. All the Excel did was stop it
from spreading. It never turned white. It took several algae eaters
to clean up the tanks plus the Excel and micronutrients. Now however,
I have a black stringy, wiry algae none of them will eat. I'm going
through Excel like a drunk goes through a 6-pack.
==============================
Fighting algae is about finding the balance.

Not enough light for healthy plants = algae.

Too much light and not enough CO2 for healthy plants = algae.

Too much CO2 and not enough light = dead fish and algae.

Wrong temperature = algae.

Improper any of the aforementioned for plants to utilize the available
macro nutrients = algae.

Excel, which is just an organic carbon compound just helps you find a
balance in a particular area where your tank may have been lacking. You
won't have the same degree of success with it in all tanks.
========================
After all these years this is the first time I got really serious about
growing plants in these tanks. I mean other than vals and hornwart and an
anubia or two. The job seems complicated and expensive - a hobby in an of
itself.

I think it depends how fancy you want to be. My first plants died as
they were not low light. Next I ordered a variety pack for "low
light". Some died, but those that survived have done well for over 3
years and I have used starters to populate my other tanks.

I don't use fertilizer nor CO2 nor special sub layers. I have 3
different types of gravels, but the plants do well in all 3.

My only problem is pruning the excess growth. I hate throwing out
perfectly healthy plants.

I think that those that talk about ferilizers, substrates and CO2 want
to match the tank condition to the plants they want to have. I work
it the other way and have plants that are happy with the tank
conditions.

My tanks are very attractive to my eyes and the fish are happy to have
resting areas. They run into the heavy growth to rest and I have no
need for caves. I do have 3 ornaments that a few of the fish use, but
the majority are content with their leafy glades.

dick

On Sat, 3 Jun 2006 15:14:55 -0500, "Koi-Lo" None wrote:


"Dick" wrote in message
.. .

I had black hair algae in my 75 gallon tank soon after I set it up. I
noticed platies would eat the new strings, but not touch the longer
ones.

My Mickey Mouse platys aren't big algae eaters. Their tank isn't a problem
with the black hair stuff anyway since it's so full of Java moss, wisteria,
duckweed and other plants. In fact they're running out of swimming space.
The worst of the black hair is in the two 55g fancy GF tanks.

I pulled out all plants with the hair,

Geeze,... I'd have nothing left. It's spreading over all the plants,
especially along the edges. :-(

gravel with hair,
cleaned rocks and ornaments, bought more live bearers and Siamese
Algae Eaters, and hoped.

Did the SAE actually eat the stuff?

I did something right. Over 3 years later
and now I have 5 tanks of various sizes and no Black Hair Algae.

dick

Can't say I know who was doing what. None of the fish were interested
in the long hair, that is why I pulled and cleaned. I did see the
live bearers eating the new growth, mollies and platies.

By the way, the gravel that I removed Ispread on newspapers in the sun
and bleached it with sun rays. I then returned it to the tank.

Perhaps the replacement plants (see other plant post) balanced the
tank better.

dick

*Note: There are two "Koi-Lo's" on the pond and aquaria groups.

"Dick" wrote in message
...
I think it depends how fancy you want to be. My first plants died as
they were not low light. Next I ordered a variety pack for "low
light". Some died, but those that survived have done well for over 3
years and I have used starters to populate my other tanks.

I also have such plants as mentioned. They thrive on neglect but fairly
good lighting - hornwart, vals, anubias, Java moss and a few old crypts that
lived and grew slowly. I have four 40w fluorescent bulbs over each 55g
tank. I can't fit anymore.

I don't use fertilizer nor CO2 nor special sub layers. I have 3
different types of gravels, but the plants do well in all 3.

My only problem is pruning the excess growth. I hate throwing out
perfectly healthy plants.

I know the feeling. The hornwart and vals can really take over. All my
hornwart died at one time last winter, but for one small piece in a 10g
tank. I am re-growing it from that one small piece. ;-) I may just go
back to these old favorites.

I think that those that talk about ferilizers, substrates and CO2 want
to match the tank condition to the plants they want to have. I work
it the other way and have plants that are happy with the tank
conditions.

There you go! I do that with my fish. With my hard alkaline water I stick
to fish that thrive in it rather than those that don't. With the plants I
thought I'd try something new....... some new plants.

My tanks are very attractive to my eyes and the fish are happy to have
resting areas. They run into the heavy growth to rest and I have no
need for caves. I do have 3 ornaments that a few of the fish use, but
the majority are content with their leafy glades.

dick
--
Koi-Lo....
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Aquarium FAQ are at:
http://faq.thekrib.com/
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*

160 watts over 55 gallons is almost 3 watts per gallon. I use 1.5 w/g
or lower as the definition of "low light." I don't know what happens
when low light plants are exposed to "high light" conditions. Could
this be a problem?

dick


On Sat, 3 Jun 2006 17:59:42 -0500, "Koi-Lo" None wrote:


*Note: There are two "Koi-Lo's" on the pond and aquaria groups.

"Dick" wrote in message
.. .
I think it depends how fancy you want to be. My first plants died as
they were not low light. Next I ordered a variety pack for "low
light". Some died, but those that survived have done well for over 3
years and I have used starters to populate my other tanks.

I also have such plants as mentioned. They thrive on neglect but fairly
good lighting - hornwart, vals, anubias, Java moss and a few old crypts that
lived and grew slowly. I have four 40w fluorescent bulbs over each 55g
tank. I can't fit anymore.

I don't use fertilizer nor CO2 nor special sub layers. I have 3
different types of gravels, but the plants do well in all 3.

My only problem is pruning the excess growth. I hate throwing out
perfectly healthy plants.

I know the feeling. The hornwart and vals can really take over. All my
hornwart died at one time last winter, but for one small piece in a 10g
tank. I am re-growing it from that one small piece. ;-) I may just go
back to these old favorites.

I think that those that talk about ferilizers, substrates and CO2 want
to match the tank condition to the plants they want to have. I work
it the other way and have plants that are happy with the tank
conditions.

There you go! I do that with my fish. With my hard alkaline water I stick
to fish that thrive in it rather than those that don't. With the plants I
thought I'd try something new....... some new plants.

My tanks are very attractive to my eyes and the fish are happy to have
resting areas. They run into the heavy growth to rest and I have no
need for caves. I do have 3 ornaments that a few of the fish use, but
the majority are content with their leafy glades.

dick

*Note: There are two "Koi-Lo's" on the pond and aquaria groups.

"Dick" wrote in message
...
160 watts over 55 gallons is almost 3 watts per gallon. I use 1.5 w/g
or lower as the definition of "low light." I don't know what happens
when low light plants are exposed to "high light" conditions. Could
this be a problem?
========================
I don't think so since this wiry algae isn't growing in the 10g tanks and
they're even brighter. Before I added the second fixture to the 55s they
had a really disgusting blackish red sooty looking algae spreading
everywhere. The 55s are really too dim with only 80w. The tanks even look
better as do the fish with 160w per tank.

The odd thing is when I first started to add the Excel and micronutrients
the plants really picked up for awhile. The new otos and plec's cleaned the
plants and all was well - then suddenly this black wiry stuff shows up. The
plants are blah again no matter how faithfully I add the fertilizers (not
exceeding the recommended doses).
--
Koi-Lo....
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006 04:37:55 -0500, Dick wrote:

160 watts over 55 gallons is almost 3 watts per gallon. I use 1.5 w/g
or lower as the definition of "low light." I don't know what happens
when low light plants are exposed to "high light" conditions. Could
this be a problem?

dick


It could be a problem when you tack another zero to the utility bill.

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006 18:02:47 GMT, -ED wrote:

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006 04:37:55 -0500, Dick wrote:

160 watts over 55 gallons is almost 3 watts per gallon. I use 1.5 w/g
or lower as the definition of "low light." I don't know what happens
when low light plants are exposed to "high light" conditions. Could
this be a problem?

dick


It could be a problem when you tack another zero to the utility bill.


The news reporters always scream about the price of gasoline. I am
more concerned about the cost of natural gas and electricity. I don't
drive much anymore.

Oh well, you can't take it with you and I can't think of anyone or any
organization I want to give it to.

Power to the people (and the fish)! g

dick

*Note: There are two "Koi-Lo's" on the pond and aquaria groups.

"Dick" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 04 Jun 2006 18:02:47 GMT, -ED wrote:
It could be a problem when you tack another zero to the utility bill.

===

Oh well, you can't take it with you and I can't think of anyone or any
organization I want to give it to.
=======================
Don't forget the ASPCA and other animal shelters and charities........
--
Koi-Lo....
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Rude or obscene messages posted by my impersonator.
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006 16:42:16 -0500, Koi-Lo None wrote:

*Note: There are two "Koi-Lo's" on the pond and aquaria groups.

"Dick" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 04 Jun 2006 18:02:47 GMT, -ED wrote:
It could be a problem when you tack another zero to the utility bill..

===

Oh well, you can't take it with you and I can't think of anyone or any
organization I want to give it to.
=======================
Don't forget the ASPCA and other animal shelters and charities........


ASPCA and St. Jude's will do for me.
--
Save The Planet For Another Day...

*Note: There are two "Koi-Lo's" on the pond and aquaria groups.

"-ED" wrote in message
news On Sun, 04 Jun 2006 16:42:16 -0500, Koi-Lo None wrote:

Don't forget the ASPCA and other animal shelters and charities........


ASPCA and St. Jude's will do for me.
===================
Our estate will go to our children when we'e gone. We do donate to
Goodwill, Union Rescue Mission and of course St. Judes down in Memphis TN.
That's all we can handle right now with my husband semi-retired.
--
Koi-Lo....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Rude or obscene messages posted by my impersonator ~Roy.
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*