The Dreaded Black Algae

[Fazzafaris]

Hi all.

I have been searching for a solution to this problem for a while now. I have a black, fur like algae growing in tufts on my plants, rocks and some of the gravel in my tank. I have since replaced all the plants affected and taken steps to reduce the nitrate level in my tank. I discovered my tap water actually contains nitrates so that obviously hasn't helped. So I now use a Nitragon nitrate remover to provide me with nitrate and phosphate free water to use in my water changes.

I have also increased the number of water changes I do and I am feeding less regularly to try and reduce waste levels in the tank. Hopefully this will help kill off the algae. I have also tried removing each rock and storing in a dark cupboard for a few days. I have found that when I return a rock to the tank the algae on the rock has turned red in colour but the fish still won't eat it and it doesn't seem to die off. I have read a lot about using bleach but I am extremely nervous of accidentally poisoning my whole tank by using it incorrectly. Can anyone share some advise as to how I can remove the existing algae safely from my rocks and wood?

Many thanks.

[kvr]

Boiling the wood and rocks will kill of the algae. You will have to remove the dead algae by hand afterwards because they remain very strongly attached. Only few fish are known to consume these red algae, I believe SAE is one of the few, but I do not have any experience with them.

Good luck !

[WolfPup522]

If you're looking for a fish that will solve your problem - Flag Fish! I cannot say enough about them! If you search the forums for "flag fish" you'll find a couple of conversations we've had about them.

[Fazzafaris]

Yes I found them mentioned a couple of times, but I am not sure if they are suitable for my tank as from what I have read they are not good with small fish. Any comments on that?

[wetmanNY]

Siamese Algae-Eaters are seasonal. I won't expect to see any locally until late September. (Has anyone seen real SAEs in the last month or two?)

You have read the material on Black Brush Algae and Red Algae and Audouinella at www.thekrib.com and at www.skepticalaquarist.com I figure.

With bleach, rinse in water with some chlorine remover and let rocks dry before re-using them. The only residue of bleach solution after it dries is a little common salt.

[Fazzafaris]

wetmanNY

I hadn't actually seen either of these two sites, but I have now <g>. Thanks for the links. I got most of my information from google groups and also from my local fish store. Can I just use ordinary household bleach and then something like "Tap Safe" after using the bleach?

Thanks.

[beviking]

Yes. You don't need to use the bleach full strength. You can dilute it to 1 part bleach to 19 parts water and soak the rock or log for 5 minutes. You will still need to physically scrub the algae off and of course, rinse well in the dechlorinated water 2 or more times (whatever you feel comfortable with). Make sure you rinse your hands too!

[dave76]

I had an outbreak of brown algae, I could not find any SAE in my area but I did find the dreaded CAE, chinese algae eater and they took care of it. Course they are not exactly community fish either. I am not sure if the is the same thing as the Red algae mentioned. I would say you could get one and after it took care of your problem return it but they are extremely difficult to net.

[Sumpin'fishy]

I will add that I have purchased 4 Florida Flag fish since talking to Wolfpup and others on this forum. I had terrible amounts of this dreaded algae in my tank. I had pruned several affected plants the week before only to have it take over again in one week!

I have since been looking at my fertilizer regimen (I believe I was under-dosing Phosphate, for one!) and hope to stop it from continueing, but I needed a way of getting rid of what was in my tank, without pruning what little was left of some of the plants.

After adding the fish, I have noticed marked improvements, and the fish seem to eat nothing but this hair algae! I'm almost worried about what they will eat when it's all gone:confused:

I lost one fish after a few days (must have been diseased) and another has a red swollen gill. I have separated the sick fish and disposed of the dead one. I have also treated both tanks with salt, higher temp(~82), and QuickCure. I also added some Melafix for any secondary bacterial infections in the fish. Anyways, I now have 1 male and 1 female in the 20 gallon, and 1 female in my 10 gallon quarantine tank (with a lone Betta). The are very attractive fish with interesting behavior. I would definately suggest them!

Almost forgot to mention that I have the 20 stocked with one pair of FFF, 1 male Betta, 6 Neons, 4 Corys (bronze), and 4 Ottos. The FFF seem to get along well with all inhabitants.....no fights at all. The Betta tried to flair up at them when they were first introduced, but they didn't worry much about him and he hasn't bothered them since. They seem to be non-aggressive, not easily intimidated, and hardy for the most part! I think my sickness came from transit problems (from breeder, to store, to me)

[dave76]

according to what I have read FFF are brackish, so adding salt will definatley help them of this I am sure.

[WolfPup522]

Well, I wish I could take credit for the Florida Flag Fish idea, but I actually got it from cpr4cpu. Anyway, I have two males and they have done wonderfully in a community tank. I also have 4 buenos aires tetras, 3 scissortail rasboras, and 5 ottos in the tank. Never had any territorial or aggression problems between any of the tankmates and the FFF. In fact they play quite often with the others.

By the way, Sumpin'fishy - my FFF have mowed the hair algae to nothing. Now I feed them flake food, freeze-dried bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, and they nibble on the algae tablets I put in for the ottos. I wouldn't worry about what to feed them - it seems that they'll eat just about anything and love every second of it!

[Fazzafaris]

Thanks for all the feedback here. Gotta try and get hold of some of these Flag Fish here in the UK now!

:)

[Fazzafaris]

Hey guys...

I just searched for a picture of these Florida Flag Fish and found one at the link below.

http://aquaworld.netfirms.com/Cyprinodontidae/Jordanella_floridae.htm

But I read the text too and it says

"These fish are not suitable for the community tank, since they are quite aggressive, and will nibble on the fins of other fish".

Doesn't sound like they will get on with my neons or harlequins! Strange, as other posts in this thread suggest otherwise. Wonder who to believe?

:(

[WolfPup522]

Fazzafaris - I can see why you would be confused, however IME these fish are not aggresive (except when defending eggs). Take a look at this article.
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Huntley_The%20American%20Flag%20Fish.html
Hopefully I did that link correctly. It's much more informative about all aspects of this fish, and specifically (in the 'Behavior' section) it states "While seldom molesting others, more aggressive species can cause the floridae to become timid and to hide".

That has definately been my experience. Hope it helps!