Black Algae spots on the glass

abcdefghi

abcdefghi

AC Members
Jun 6, 2007
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What could be causing black (or at least very dark green/brown) algae spots on the glass in my 29G? I am struggling with diatoms in there at the moment, but those are easily wiped away.

The stuff that is bugging me is hard, and only on the glass, and is a pain to remove. I literally have to scrub at it, which causes all kinds of fun for my fish with water sloshing back and forth.

It is a planted tank, lights come on around 11am, and off at 7pm. I can't remember the wattage of the bulbs, but I feel like there are two 18W daylight bulbs. Eventually I want to upgrade the lighting, but it is an Eclipse hood, and so I would need to replace lights/filter/hood etc and that is not in the budget right now.

So, what can I do about the algae on the glass?

Thanks.
 
GSA. Use a scraper (or credit card if you don't have one) and it should come right off.

Are you dosing ferts? Phosphates?
 
James0816 said:
GSA. Use a scraper (or credit card if you don't have one) and it should come right off.

Are you dosing ferts? Phosphates?
Click to expand...

No ferts, and I would need to re-test to find out what the phosphates are (will test tonight and post back).

I already have a mag float, and hand held scraper that I use to clean it off. Just trying to find out how to get rid of it permanently (if possible).
 
GSA is usually caused by a phosphate inbalance. I battled this as well. Started dosing phosphates and think I have the right balance now.

I think some nerite's will rasp on this type of algae but don't quote me on that.
 
some believe that GSA will need to run it's course.

lots of discussion about it in planted tank forums.

I did have a bad case of it in one tank. it starts as spots then progresses to cover the tank wall.. very hard to scrape off.
some believe that if you scrape it you will release spores which will attach and create even a greater problem.

my fix was a pair of BN's.. (not your run of the mill BN)
I got them as babies and within days the gsa was gone and has never come back.
 
nerites do remove it. only thing is i've noticed that they leave little bite marks in it and dont remove it completely. dosing phosphates to between .5 and 1ppm works for me.
 
I tested this morning and my phosphates are at 5.0ppm (according to API test kit). I have a single BN in the tank, but I don't think it eats this algae.
 
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