What Algae is this?

[Glasgowa]

Hi

I've had this tank set up for SA Cichlids since January 2007, plants since March. Recently I have been fighting against brown algae, I purchased Otto's which cleaned the whole tank but unfortunately they died and I now have 3 clown pelco's. Over the last week or so I have noticed this hairy algae which seems to be covering the plants very quickly and it's not easy to take off with your fingers. Would anyone know what this is and the best way to keep it at bay.

I have just changed the lighting to a more 'plant growth' version (10 hour cycle with 1 hour switch off midway) and add API Leaf Zone weekly. My temps sit at 28.5 degrees c and have silica sand.

Any info would be grately appreciated.

Cheers

Andrew

 

[ed seeley]

That looks like Cladophora and maybe some Black Brush algae too. The best thing I've found for eating this are Siamese Algae eaters. My three do a great job of keeping it down. Apparently adding CO2 at stable levels helps control it too, but I haven't found this personally!

 

[apisto-nut]

florish excel works to get rid of BBA

 

[Glasgowa]

Ed & Apisto-nut

Thanks for your help, will look into these fixes asap.

Cheers

Andrew

 

[beleg]

Flourish excel is a carbon and nutrient source which helps plants grow healthier than algae but it will not kill the algae. Like Ed suggested the best way to fight this and other algae is adding SAE to tanks. They eat the new algae growth but the old ones will eventually die out.

 

[apisto-nut]

That may be so . but I find that the BBA dies " turns pale and falls off " when using excel .

 

[beleg]

Yes that probably happens because of nutrient deficiency. When plants can get enough Carbon, algae cannot compete with them for other nutrients (i.e. light, nitrogen, trace elements etc)

 

[Glasgowa]

Guys

Thanks for your help. Initially I have stopped API ferts (looking to get Flourish excel) although in the mean time also trying to source some SAE.

I will let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Andrew