Help! Leaves turning Black!

T

tackful

AC Members
Mar 15, 2007
649
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18
Sausalito, CA
Most of my plants' leaves start turning black about a week after they sprout. I can best describe this as a black fuzz or fine coating which covers part of the leaves. On some it even looks like small worms. I'm working hard to grow green plants and keep the tank clean and fish healthy, but being new to the hobby I'm not sure as to the cause of this problem or the solution.

My tank is 29 gal with 24 small tetras and rasboras. It's 3 1/2 months old and I've been trying to grow plants since week one. I have been dosing with Flourish Excel , potassium and traces for several weeks. Five days ago I tore down the tank and replaced the large gravel substrate with Aqua-Soil. I also added nitrogen and phosphates to my dosing schedule at that time. This may not be relevant, but since installing the Aqua-Soil my water has been amazingly clear, even though I have a big piece of driftwood in there. Also, although I'm wondering if that's a type of algae on my leaves, there is no sign of algae on the glass itself.

Plants are Annubias, Wysteria. Java Fern, and one that is tall and slender with spearhead-shaped leaves (I was told that it was easy to grow). My readings are ammonia and nitrite 0, nitrates 10, and pH dropped from 7.0 to
6.0 with the new substrate. Fortunately the fish did just fine.
I'd sure like to see those plants all green and thriving. What should I do? Once again, thanks for the help. Tackful
 
Sounds like you have BBA (black beard algae). Increase in CO2 and plant mass helps control and remove it after awhile. Overdosing Flourish Excel is also effective in treating it. On really bad cases you'll need to trim off the affected leaves and bleach dip decor.
 
Sammie7 said:
Here is an algae ID site: http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9

And that "spearhead shaped plant" may not be a true aquatic: http://plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=166
Is that it?

How often are you doing water changes? Those little worms may be planaria, and they like sub-par water conditions and usually come when you overfeed.
Click to expand...
I do weekly water changes; two weeks ago I upped the amount from 15% to 30%. along with gravel vacuuming half the tank every other week. And no, that's not the plant I have. Shall try to be more specific in future. The algae ID site was very helpful. Thanks.
I'm going to follow phanmc's advice and increase co2 with a DIY setup, which I think will be a fun project. Sure appreciate the help, and I'll post a followup as things progress. Learning about plants,algae, and water chemistry has been quite interesting and enjoyable so far. Tackful
 
tackful said:
I do weekly water changes; two weeks ago I upped the amount from 15% to 30%. along with gravel vacuuming half the tank every other week. And no, that's not the plant I have. Shall try to be more specific in future. The algae ID site was very helpful. Thanks.
I'm going to follow phanmc's advice and increase co2 with a DIY setup, which I think will be a fun project. Sure appreciate the help, and I'll post a followup as things progress. Learning about plants,algae, and water chemistry has been quite interesting and enjoyable so far. Tackful
Click to expand...

i recommend moving your gravel vac to every waterchange, and do the WHOLE tank every time.. that will help with the planaria.

definitely do the DIY co2, it is well worth the benefits you will see.
 
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