Cleaning "Black Hair like Algae?"

[stpower]

I was wondering if anybody gets black hair like algae growth on heaters and canister inlets and outlets in their tanks? I seem to be getting a fair bit, and am wondering what you guys recommend to get rid of it.

I was thinking water and Javex (:confused: , don't hit me if this is bad) I was going to put it in soak for awhile and rinse it REALLY well after before I put it back in my tank.

Thanks.

[OrionGirl]

Straight bleach can be used as a soak for non-porous items with relative safety. You still want to rinse well. Sorry--I'm not sure what Javex is? I have also used Oxyclean, no problems. Either of these will slow the growth, but the algae will come back unless you can reduce the nutrients that allow it to grow. Doesn't sound like it's a cumbersome amount of algae--I'd likely ignore it.

[wetmanNY]

Javex is Canadian Clorox, Oriongirl-- Colgate's household sodium hypochlorite. Safe. Rinse well and add a couple of drops of dechlorinator to the last rinsewater and let it sit five minutes.

The alga is usually called "Black Brush Algae"-- it may be Audouinella species. There's lots about dealing with it at www.thekrib.com and some at www.skepticalaquarist.com

You have to keep after it or it'll run away with you. Soft water? Lots of oxygen? BBA loves it. This is the algae that inspired the Clorox dip for plants. This is the algae that Siamese Algae-eaters were born to eat.

Then, one day, it'll be all but gone-- a minor issue. Another algae will be spoiling your life.

[jafo]

Actually you should try to find the cause. Two of the main culprits are phosphates (PO4) and nitrates at high levels. Test for both! Many fish foods, buffers, and some other additives are high in PO4. Find the problem, fix it, and then the alage will go away not to return.