Strange growth on fake plants

[Tay690]

Hi there,
Recently within the last week I've noticed a black / dark green coloured kind of hairlike plant growth on one of my fake plants in my guppy tank

It doesn't seem to really be harmful as all the guppies are constantly pecking at it and eating it...I was just wondering what it is? what causes it and if I should get rid of it ASAp or just leave it?

Thanks in advance,
Taylor

[rocker92]

it is algae, if it gets out of control turn your photoperiod down.

[Tay690]

lol don't i feel foolish...thank you and sorry for the dumb question

[timwag2001]

blackbeard algae possibly

[Tay690]

that is a priceless picture...what a funny dog lol

Should be on a get well soon card or something

[Wycco]

lol don't i feel foolish...thank you and sorry for the dumb question

Not a dumb question at all if you hadn't seen it before you wouldn't have known.

Algae comes in many shapes, colours and forms.

If you've got something growing in your tank- you didn't put it there- and it looks a little bit weird to be a plant... chances are it's some kind of algae. Hair like, string like, moss like, film like, spot like... different species of algae can take on many appearances.

[coach_z]

sounds like BBA. which strives when it has a lot of Phosphate and Light.

remedy:


lower phosphate
lower light

how:


more frequent, or, larger water changes (assuming you have no phosphate in your water source)
lower your light, or move tank away from window, or close shades/blinds 24/7


it might take a while for the stuff to die and get eaten and such so i would suggest removing your fake plants, scrubbing them down in tank water (that you just removed from your new or larger water change) and then put them back in yoru tank.

remember: clean them in dirty tank water (why? because regular tap water may kill the beneficial bacteria living on your plants), with no cleaners, detergents, or anything else. just a clean brush or use your hands to slowly peel it off

[Tay690]

the light in that tank is quite strong...that could be it
I do about 30% WC weekly and there is an Albino Cory who really takes care of business daily (he's a fatty lol)

The light is standard for that tank...but it seems to be quite strong for some reason...the Algae isn't growing out of control yet...just seems to be in a few places on that one specific plant...but I will keep my eyes on it

The guppies are also eating it constantly which helps too lol

there is no other algae growth that I can see (the algae I'm used to is a brownish colour and kind of a slimy texture that builds up on the glass / walls etc) but this stuff is kind of black / dark green and looks like hair or roots almost...

thank you all for your input
much appreciated

[coach_z]

how big is your tank and what type of light do you have on top of it?

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_algae.htm
that link should help you with some/all your algae concerns