Black algae?

[jedimom]

I've got what I'm guessing is an algae. It is black in color and a little fuzzy. It only appears on my 4" bamboo stalks. Any suggestions?

[irishspy]

This (http://www.aquariumalgae.blogspot.com/) is a good aquarium algae web site. Try going through it to find one that most looks like what's in your tank. That will help trying to figure out a solution. :idea:

[DAVIDFBT]

Probably Black Beard Algae, I have some on my anubias leaves too.

[jedimom]

Thanks for the link. Nothing there looks like what I have, though. Maybe not an algae? Perhaps I'll just remove them and get new ones.

[jpappy789]

Can you post a pic?

[jedimom]

I don't know...I guess I can try!

[mavisky]

Bamboo isn't really an underwater plant. If you can get the tops out of the water they'll grow well enough that they should help keep algae off of them by absorbing the same nutrients the algae is feeding off of. Stinkin petco tricked me into buying some bamboo with it underwater in their tanks.

[jedimom]

This is interesting information! I had them floating on the top of the tank until 2 days ago. I only planted them because I thought the oto's I have might eat whatever the black stuff was.

Got my bamboo at Petco too! I noticed when I was just there that their bamboo for sale, at least some of it, has this same black substance on it...hmmmmm?

[Riiz]

Sound like black beard algae, Siamese algae eaters will take care of that or a nice double dose of seachem excel might do the trick as well.

[jedimom]

I've tried to find an SAE everywhere around here and most people haven't heard of it. The one store that has can't get them in.

[Dangerdoll]

is it possible that you can order them online? If your tank has the room for an additional trio of 6" - 7" fish, I would go with them... I was in desperate need and wound up ordering them because I couldn't find them around me either.

[tanker]

Where are you?? Maybe someone can recomment a near-by LFS that stocks some.