Black beard algae! help!

Aquarium Co-Op wrote:First thing I would do is get the light on a timer. You need your plants to be growing to help out compete the algae. Maybe try say 8 hours a day.

Aquarium Co-Op wrote:First thing I would do is get the light on a timer. You need your plants to be growing to help out compete the algae. Maybe try say 8 hours a day.

fishNAbowl wrote:My trick..... stabile supply of carbon dioxide.

SiRWesDragon wrote:Only problem I had was just like killbeys is too much light. My tanks both have co2, 1 is dirted (no need ferts), and 3 others are not dirted (ferts). Its timed but I sometimes turn it manually and forget to turn off. Its normally on at 8am off at 12pm on at 4pm and off at 8pm. 8hrs aday. But you manually turn timers and forget, thats 12 hrs of light.

fishNAbowl wrote:

Aquarium Co-Op wrote:First thing I would do is get the light on a timer. You need your plants to be growing to help out compete the algae. Maybe try say 8 hours a day.

fishNAbowl wrote:My trick..... stabile supply of carbon dioxide.

From my experience BBA growth excels when water parameters and nutrients are unbalanced. You can use peroxides,  pull plants and decor out, medicate, ect... However, does this fix the problem? will you have to do it all over again  disrupting the ecosystem? Planted tanks when balanced should have very little issues. When BBA begins to form in my ranks I take a look at what part of my tank is unbalanced and figure out what I can do to bring it all back into balance. This ideal goes into play with any algae, or bacterial issue.

Your tank is planted. Take a look at the spectrum of lighting used (is the spectrum and out put optimal for plant growth)? Plants eat up nutrients in the water and once certain nutrients are diminished the ecosystem becomes unbalanced making it a haven for BBA to flourish. These nutrients should be replenished.

Once the tank is brought back into balance the BBA will recede.

CrazedAce wrote:Add more fish. More fish = more waste = more nutrients for plants. I would assume... Lol

fishNAbowl wrote:
This planted tank is screaming " Siamese Algae Eaters "! They nibble on algae's, even BHA.

 http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+888+1086&pcatid=1086

Killybeys wrote:

fishNAbowl wrote:
This planted tank is screaming " Siamese Algae Eaters "! They nibble on algae's, even BHA.

 http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+888+1086&pcatid=1086

Ive seen these before but wasnt sure if they really worked. Ill have to go see if cory has some on my day off! If they do work they are gunna get huge with alll the algae haha

hyp3rcrav3 wrote:The problem I have with siamese algae eaters is they will attack larger fish and eat scales. Maybe this casn be prevented with some sor tof calcium supplement. Algae Destroyer will safely kill algae but some mosses and liverworts are also harmed. It will not kill other plants or fish. It will wipe out invertabrates like snails or shrimp so it is up to you.

hyp3rcrav3 wrote:How disruptive to a planted tank are CAE?

kingneptune wrote:

Killybeys wrote:

fishNAbowl wrote:
This planted tank is screaming " Siamese Algae Eaters "! They nibble on algae's, even BHA.

 http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+888+1086&pcatid=1086

Ive seen these before but wasnt sure if they really worked. Ill have to go see if cory has some on my day off! If they do work they are gunna get huge with alll the algae haha

I was just at aquarium co-op last night looking at his siamese algae eaters, I think he has them listed at ~$4-5. Check out his left center planted tank to see a full grown SAE so you're aware of how large they get.

fishNAbowl wrote:

hyp3rcrav3 wrote:How disruptive to a planted tank are CAE?

I've heard of CAE being sold as SAE. I've never have had these due to stories of them becoming aggressive. The flying fox is an interesting critter. I've heard they eat BHA but get spunky like the red tailed sharks.

fishNAbowl wrote:Chinese Algae Eater

fishNAbowl wrote:Here , this is a website I found that touches on the basics.
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hyp3rcrav3 wrote:Siamese Algae Eaters do or do not eat or dig plants?

fishNAbowl wrote:Here is a picture of my 4" SAE. Also these fish eat other foods. Flakes, blood worms. I've noticed like my Cory cats they have their nose in every crack and crevice trying to find food which to me makes him a good scavenger finding  foods  that may otherwise rot.

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hyp3rcrav3 wrote:Coolness, I'm going to need an algae eater in my 55 that isn't a pleco. Otocinclus are too small and could possibly become Birchir food. SAE won't.

hyp3rcrav3 wrote:Coolness, I'm going to need an algae eater in my 55 that isn't a pleco. Otocinclus are too small and could possibly become Birchir food. SAE won't.