Black Beard Algae - Cause?

[CACAdmin]

I have never had algae problems. In fact with my snails, I often add plants covered in BBA to my tank and they gobble it up. However, I have not added any such plants in more than 6 months. Nothing has changed in my tank that I can tell, same parameters, lights are on the same amount of time (in fact with the dark days the tank is getting much less light than usual), and I don't use ferts or CO2.

The only difference is that is that about 6-8 weeks ago, I actually did a fairly thorough gravel vac (parts of my tank had never been vac'd as the plants were too dense). I removed a few plants and trimmed others quite heavily (it had become a jungle). At first there was a little black algae... I didn't worry as I figured the snails would take care of it as usual but it grew & grew and grew (more than they could handle). It now covers most of the plants... yuck. Although I now know I have to tackle it to get it under control, I'd like to try to figure out the root cause. Any ideas?

[Shelley]

What kind of lights are you using? It may be time for new bulbs. The spectrum shifts over time. Even tho the bulb fires, doesnt mean it is giving out the correct color light., The one time my tank develped BBA was when my bulbs got to be about 9 months old. As soon as I changed them.. the BBA slowly went away.

[CACAdmin]

This will show how much I know about lighting. It's a 25W flourescent bulb which came with the aquarium about 15 months ago. I have no idea what spectrum it is. All it says on the bulb is All Glass 25W HG. Plants have always grown really well despite the fact that it is a tall tank and it's only one bulb.

However, now that you mention it, originally it cast somewhat of a blue glow and now it's more purple. So maybe time to replace it... but now the question is with what?

[Shelley]

yup,, time to replace it:yes: bulbs are typed in "K" ratings.
Now.. I dont know alot about flourescent bulbs because I use MH on my reef tanks. BUT 6500K is good for plant growth, but may look too yellow to you. Bulbs are rated kinda funny but actually the lower the K the brighter the bulb is.. and yellower. So you have to balance what the plants like with what your eyes like. I had 10K in my reef tank and found them way too yellow. So I got 20K which is pretty blue.. nicer on the eye but things dont grow as well. So I switched to 14 K. Still a blue/white color and I get some growth. IMO your best bet to get a bulb you like.. that also grows your plants is go to a trusted LFS and tell them your expectations. Bulbs arent cheap.. and theres no returning them cause you dont like their color. ( shelley has a shelf of almost new bulbs she didnt like the color of:wideeyed: )

[PPulcher]

Jay, I've only had beard algae in my tanks on one occasion. I took care of it by introducing siamese algae eaters.

Along with trying a new light tube, there are some suggestions in this article from the Krib that might be of interest: http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/red-algae.html

Flourish Excel reportedly will kill this kind of algae.

[thegrandpoohbah]

If it is a regular T-8 bulb then a T-6 will fit in the fixture as well. It has the same pin configuration but a slightly narrower tube which mean less re-strike and therefore more light makes it into the tank. I've been using the Quantum bulbs from Big Al's. A little pricey but I love them and it's cheaper than getting a new fixture. The 7000K Daylight bulb is the one I use.

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?omni_scAdd=scAdd&nurl=control%2FBrowseCatalog.vm&eurl=control%2FBrowseCatalog.vm&rurl=control%2FBrowseCatalog.vm&ctl_nbr=3664&queryType=0&path=&offset=&hits=&sortby=&query=lightning+rod&submit.x=0&submit.y=0

[CACAdmin]

Thanks for the lighting info Shelley. I winged it when I replaced the bulb on my 20g and got a 2800K one because I was clueless and the package said it was good for planted aquariums. However, it's hard to tell if it makes a difference because this is my fry grow out tank now & I am always ripping out plants trying to net the fish.(plants grew well originally.) And yes, they are expensive. Hence my asking what's what. As for your shelf of almost new bulbs... you have lots of 'just in case' ones... namely just in case one burns out and you can't get to the store yet. :laugh:

Thanks for the link Mr. GP. From what they say, it looks like maybe it's a combination of the bub needing replacement and the fact that I greatly reduced the number of plants in the tank (thus providing more nutrients for the algae... thus it took over.(Compounded now by the algae killing the plants.)

[CACAdmin]

Thanks PPulcher... an excellent article on BBA. That's how I figured out that reducing the number of plants in my tank might have been partially the cause as it would have provided more nutrients for the algae. I know I already had a very small amount of algae in the tank but as I said the snails take care of it (& like it) as do the mollies.

It goes to show how the combination of a few small things can have a huge impact. So, this weekend it's off to get another bulb and clean out the dead plant leaves. I guess should consider returning it to it's former jungle state.

Will post what success (hopefully) I have with this.

[Pamelajo]

I just got some excel for mine and am trying it. Will let you know soon how it works.

[CACAdmin]

Thanks Ms. Pamelajo! My only conern with that is my snails that are in the tank. Do you have snails in the tank that you're treating with Excel?

[Pamelajo]

Actually there is three I am treating. Mine own fault for moving stuff from one tank to another. The ones I am treating don't. One tank does have tons of mts so will let you know how they fair. Can you move your snails for awhile til you get it cleared up.
:offtopic: P.S. you can call me Pam you don't have to be so formal especially after sharing long johns.:;): Speaking of long johns do you have them or do I?

[CACAdmin]

I can easily find a place for them (my other tanks) but as it's my 70g tank and I can barely reach the bottom, I'm not likely to find all the snails.:Worried:

:offtopic: Sure Pam, it's just that I don't tend to use first names online unless I'm sure someone is ok with it. As for the longjohns, hmmm... didn't Melody spot them on your clothesline? :;): or was that something else? Of course, you do realize that we will have totally confused some of our new members around here. :laugh: The rumours will be flying and they'll be searching for the forum for 'longjohns'. Should we give them a hint? :DevilGrin:

[Pamelajo]

:DevilGrin: Nope let them ponder it a little while before we give them a hint! Let's see if anyone is brave enough to ask??
I have been doing school work all day and need a stress reliever. :DevilGrin:I know it is evil, but just humor me a little.::D:Essay question is next.:GEEK:
I have only had one:coffee2:today too that may explain my :DevilGrin:ness!!

[CACAdmin]

Glad it's you that has to write an essay and not me... Good luck! Sure we'll leave them to try to figure it out or try to torture you to elicit a hint or two :laugh: ... I'll be heading off to work shortly so I'll leave you at their mercy. :BOLTS:

[Pamelajo]

Have fun at work.

[CACAdmin]

Thanks! I'll try and stay out of trouble.:;):

[Pamelajo]

Beard algae is possibly diminishing after adding excel on Wed. I have posted more details in my original post "Green Hair Algae".

[CACAdmin]

Thanks for the update. I'll keep an eye on the Green Hair algae (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2710) thread to see how it goes. Good luck!

[Melody]

Please keep in mind that this is a family forum and refrain from talking about undies. I can't say you're talking dirty because if the LJ's were on the clothesline, they were quite obviously clean.

[Pamelajo]

Please keep in mind that this is a family forum and refrain from talking about undies. I can't say you're talking dirty because if the LJ's were on the clothesline, they were quite obviously clean.

Seems to me that you were the one you posted about Jay's ljs being on my line?????:Neener: :NoSass:

[hp10BII]

:DevilGrin: Nope let them ponder it a little while before we give them a hint! Let's see if anyone is brave enough to ask??


I"m not going to ask...too much information already :;):

For all intents and purposes, anywhere where I see longjohns, lj etc. I'm going to assume we're talking doughnuts. Uhmmm, Jay for doughnuts though, they sure get around! :notworthy:

[hp10BII]

IIRC, BBA may be caused by a lack of CO2, I have never heard of those that do CO2 have to deal with BBA. I normal dose Excel, inverts are fine with that, I spot dose during a waterchange, I just have to make sure there aren't any shrimpies around the area I'm spot dosing.

[Melody]

Seems to me that you were the one you posted about Jay's ljs being on my line?????:Neener: :NoSass:

The rules changed since then. :Research:

[Melody]

I"m not going to ask...too much information already :;):

For all intents and purposes, anywhere where I see longjohns, lj etc. I'm going to assume we're talking doughnuts. Uhmmm, Jay for doughnuts though, they sure get around! :notworthy:

:laugh: :rofl:

[CACAdmin]

For all intents and purposes, anywhere where I see longjohns, lj etc. I'm going to assume we're talking doughnuts. Uhmmm, Jay for doughnuts though, they sure get around! :notworthy:
:laugh:

As for dosing with excel, I'm going to hold off for a bit. This weekend I'll start with a clean out of plants which have been hit really badly such that leaves are dying off... and go from there. Will update with progress of ridding the tank of BBA as and if it happens.

[Pamelajo]

I"m not going to ask...too much information already

Chicken!
The rules changed since then. :Research:
No fair!!!

[Melody]

Life is never fair, little girly.

Jay, would you drop the algae talk already? The LJ talk is much more fun than ol' algae. :SLEEP:

[CACAdmin]

Ya, but.... but... I've still got algea stuff to say. I'll leave the lj rumors to you & Pam. :;):

So, yesterday I ripped off about 20 huge leaves off my amazon sword (the ones that were the most encrusted with BBA... and then stuck them into the substrate in the 25g tank with the marisas. Oh, I know the won't grow but it holds them down... and guess what? My marisas are acting like I gave them candy. They don't tend to eat the leaves (too tough) but they are in heaven with all that algae to eat. :laugh:

Sorry, for the interruption. Now back to your regularly schedule 'lj' programming. :;):

[grumpystiltskin]

I bet the sword looks a whole lot better Jay. i do that to mine all the time, i have two amazons ,one ozelot, and two other reddish ones in my tank, and when i trim them it looks really nice, they tend to spread their leaves quite a long way around the tank,
Also lets more light into the tank.

[CACAdmin]

There is definitely a lot more light in the tank. And today I added more Brigs (thanks Melody) and they are busily munching on the BBA that remains. :smile:

[thegrandpoohbah]

Jay, did you end up getting new bulbs?

[CACAdmin]

Not yet. I meant to head out this afternoon but got busy bagging fishies to ship. So off to buy a bulb tomorrow.