BBA Driving me nuts

R

rrkss

Biology is Fun
Dec 2, 2005
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In my 29 gallon DIY CO2 planted tank with 2 WPG lighting and a plant list of the following, I have gotten every other alglae type almost non-existant by playing with my dosage regime and CO2. Plants

Valissneria Giganthea (1 large plant)
Valissneria Spiralis (2 plants)
Ludwigia Redens (7 stalks)
Anacharis (about 20 stalks)
1 Bannana Plant
Amazon Swordplant.

The Black Beard Algae has decided to make the amazon swordplant, vallisneria spiralis and the Banna plant its home. It has gotten to the point where I in desperation tore 95% of the amazon sword's leaves off trying to remove this BBA but it has come back with a vengence. Here are some parameters to help you guys out.

NO3: 15 ppm
CO2: 15-20 ppm

Dose Seachem Flourish: 1 mL weekly
Fish are fed once per day
Lights run on a timer 12 hours a day.

Water is crystal clear and I don't really have any other algae problems to worry about but this black beard algae. It seems to be growing exclusively on the bannana plant, the amazon sword, and the vallisneria spiralis. There is a little bit of it growing on the heater also. Short of tearing the tank down and bleach treating it, how would I get rid of this sucker?
 
I'm guessing that the plants that you see the BBA on are in-line or close to in-line with the return flow from a filter. BBA likes slow growing leaves and water flow.
My suggestion is to pick up a bottle of Seachem's Excel and dose according to directions after cleaning up any BBA that you see in the tank(animate and inanimate), in conjunction with pushing your CO2 to 30 - 35ppm (gradually).
You should see a decided improvement if persistent with the above remedies.

Len
 
You are right, the plants with the BBA problem is in a high flow area. Just one question, I have a rather extensive anacharis arrangement. I've read that excel is toxic to it. Should I be worried?
 
I cannot answer that question as I have very little experience with anacharis and none in conjunction with the dosing of Excel, so I'll leave that up to someone else to answer.

Len
 
Seachem, on their web site, has said that there is a problem with anacharis and Excel. I have experienced poor anacharis health and growth with the use of Excel. Seachem suggests dosing every other day. I gave up growing anacharis in my tank because I like the net positive benefits of excel.

Jay
 
It's very easy to get rid of BBA, and there are 2 ways to do it. The first one is probably the safest in my expierience.
1. Massive overdose with Seachem Excel (for your 29 gallon I would use 3 tablespoons each day for 3 days) You will have no BBA after this.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) at no more than .5 ml/ gallon. This is not nearly as safe but it does work.
BBA gets the upper hand over "higher" plants when your CO2 is not stable. DIY CO2 seldom is very stable. Also when doing water changes it makes a HUGE difference if you run either a UV filter or Diatom filter for a day following the water change, both filters will remove the BBA spores from the water column. I learned this from Tom Barr http://www.barrreport.com and it works like magic. I do 50% wc's each week on my planted aquaria and run a diatom filter for a day following, since I started doiing this I have no algae problems at all.
hth
Larry
 
BBA can be spot treated with Excel and a 5ml droppper. This way your using the least amount of Excel so might be safer on the anacharis. After spot treatment, BBA goes red after a day and starts turning white and dies.
 
I guess I'll pick up a bottle of excel and try it out. I will need to find a replacement plant for anacharis should it start melting (maybe just make a few snips of my ludwigia). This BBA is the last algae I have to deal with and would love to get rid of it once and for all.
 
remove the co2. its probably adding to much plant nutrients with that light level unless you have alot of bubblers liberating co2. little to no surface aggitation is just as good co2 injection in your case. this will also allow your tank to have a balance between fish and plants as would be found in nature.
 
I've removed the CO2 on my tank and replaced one of the bulbs with a new 6700K 20W bulb. I just got my excel in the mail and started dosing. I'll keep you guys posted on the BBA. My Anacharis went into my Goldfish tank (lucky them) so lets see what happens.
 
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