stuff on my plants

[spacemanspiff]

Hey there, I have this black hair stuff on my swords, and was just wondering if anyone has seen this before, and what to do about it. I am afraid if I just trough these out, and got new ones, they too would also get it again...any help?? Dan

[Matt W]

I too used to have this on my swords. I believe it comes from high phosphates, though I could be wrong. Anyway, I put a couple of SAE's (siamese algae eaters) in the tank and they chomp it down. I also find that ghost shrimp like the stuff as well as florida flag fish.

[TonyN]

I agree its the phosphates. I had that black algae stuff a lot. After getting some good advice from this board, I tested for phosphates, and it was off the scale. Did a lot of water changes and finally got the phosphates down to 1 ppm and the algae just kind of went away.
I just check for phosphates once a week and do regular water changes, and I havent had any algae problems (black or green) since then.

[Starry]

Those leaves don't look healthy. Never keep ragged and unhealthy leaves, they're of no benefit whatsoever. Cut them off at the base. If the plant isn't constantly growing new leaves, then you have problems other than algae.
Have you tested your water? What do you test for?

[spacemanspiff]

i do weekly water changes of about a 1/3, i test for pH GH KH NO2 and NH3/NH4. I have schultz aquatic soil underneath the gravel and I use Kent Freshwater Plant.

[Hans]

i think tahts just hwo the plant is, the leaves are supposed to be wavey liek that

[superjohnny]

looks like hair algae to me...