RISK2123 said:
Yeah they were tough to find. I spent quite a bit of time researching lights, and finally came up with these. Wish I could have splurged and bought the 24" 2x65W instead. But they were twice the price.
black and green spots on plants
- Thread starter skeletonhand
- Start date
Yeah they were tough to find. I spent quite a bit of time researching lights, and finally came up with these. Wish I could have splurged and bought the 24" 2x65W instead. But they were twice the price.
Nutrient deficiency? It's clearly algae! The green dots are green spot algae. The black stuff is probably BBA, black brush or black beard algae. It's a pretty nasty one and is basically impossible to physically remove from plants.
From aquariaplants, http://www.aquariaplants.com/alqaeproblems.htm
"It's been my experience that moderate to high light phosphate limited tanks have more problems with green spot algae on plants. "
"Green Spot Algae is often eliminated with increasing phosphate levels in your water. Try to maintain at least 0.3 to 0.5 of phosphates throughout the week"
"Make sure that under moderate to high light conditions that CO2 is in a range of 15-30ppm. Fluctuating CO2 levels as found with DIY yeast injection seem to be more likely to cause an outbreak of BBA. As with any algae problem, insure that nitrate, phosphates, iron, and traces are being dosed in large enough amounts so that you are certain that their levels fall within the specified ranges given on the "Nutrients/Fertilizer" web page at this link http://www.aquariaplants.com/nutrientsfertilizers.htm "
More info on algae http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/algaefinder.php
For your fertilizers, I suggest going to gregwatson.com or your local hydroponics store. Go light on them at first and let your plants uptake increase slowly. As your plant load, growth rates, etc. increase then you add higher amounts. Check out the aquariaplants link above on fertilizers.
From aquariaplants, http://www.aquariaplants.com/alqaeproblems.htm
"It's been my experience that moderate to high light phosphate limited tanks have more problems with green spot algae on plants. "
"Green Spot Algae is often eliminated with increasing phosphate levels in your water. Try to maintain at least 0.3 to 0.5 of phosphates throughout the week"
"Make sure that under moderate to high light conditions that CO2 is in a range of 15-30ppm. Fluctuating CO2 levels as found with DIY yeast injection seem to be more likely to cause an outbreak of BBA. As with any algae problem, insure that nitrate, phosphates, iron, and traces are being dosed in large enough amounts so that you are certain that their levels fall within the specified ranges given on the "Nutrients/Fertilizer" web page at this link http://www.aquariaplants.com/nutrientsfertilizers.htm "
More info on algae http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/algaefinder.php
For your fertilizers, I suggest going to gregwatson.com or your local hydroponics store. Go light on them at first and let your plants uptake increase slowly. As your plant load, growth rates, etc. increase then you add higher amounts. Check out the aquariaplants link above on fertilizers.
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I did a water change today and scrapped at the black spots with my finger and it came off. Underneath the black spots the plant tissue was pale and almost yellow so I could see how it could be algae. Then I noticed some small colonies of it growing on a couple of large rocks I have in the tank. I went to the links Captain Hook gave me on Black Beard Algae and it said that a Siamese Algae Eater can take care of it. I've never had an SAE before are they effective? My plecos must not be able to clean it.
Thanks
SKEL
Thanks
SKEL
My bristlenose plecos (ancistrus sp.) aren't able to eat it either. SAEs get to be a pretty good size and like to be in groups. I can't comment how effective they are eating BBA but they do seem to be generally recommended across the net for it.
I had it too. SAE wont eat it and they get 10-11" long and they like to have 5-6 at least to be happy. upping your phosphates and trace will help. also if you add more stem plants, they will compete against the algae and the problem will eventually go away. I use this site for dosing charts, and I get my dry ferts from greg as well, very good guy, and very knowledgeable.
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_dosage_calc.htm
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_dosage_calc.htm
