Ok so according to the statement above fertilizers and long periods of light are a cause of BBA, and iron will not cause it to grow, and for him a tank with 3WPG and 10hrs of light a day has no algae.
Black brush algae in a planted tank.
- Thread starter djdestructo
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Ok so according to the statement above fertilizers and long periods of light are a cause of BBA, and iron will not cause it to grow, and for him a tank with 3WPG and 10hrs of light a day has no algae.
i am not agreeing or disagreeing at this point. just wanted to clear up a couple things for you, that's all. i was there at one point wondering what all the "codes" meant, having to search out to understand each sentence, etc. so i can empathize. on top of asking what the abbreviations meant you also asked why you'd want to know how to grow algae. in your instance i gave the answer i feel was best suited. in other instances it would be for a food source for certain animals you might want to keep. i wouldn't attempt to grow bba for a food source though...
i do completely disagree with po4 causing algae in a f/w planted tank. if that were true most successful tanks would be wrought with it. long hours would be totally independent to the tank itself otherwise my 30 (which receives up to 15 hours of light depending on the day [cheapy timer]) would be completely covered.
i do completely disagree with po4 causing algae in a f/w planted tank. if that were true most successful tanks would be wrought with it. long hours would be totally independent to the tank itself otherwise my 30 (which receives up to 15 hours of light depending on the day [cheapy timer]) would be completely covered.
Black beard algae
I have had this problem and solved it by doing a 50% water change double dose the Excel turn off your lights cover the tanf with a blanket add no ferts keep covered for 3 to 4 days it worked for me.Mike D.
This is pretty much what it looks like, I am pretty sure its BBA, although its not bushy like some photos I have seen but if not BBA what would could it be ?
This is the BBA I have in my tank. I am planning on letting it go to see what it does. I kinda like it on the wood!
Yeah, I have a little growing on my driftwood, as well. It's been battling it out with the Java moss I have growing on the same wood and the moss is winning the war. It stays off my plants for the most part except for the oldest Crypt leaves. (which are promptly removed.)
If mine get out of hand or I decided I have made a mistake with it I am going to add about 12 Siamese Algae Eaters to the tank and let them have at it.....
I quite like my BBA. It's beautiful. 
I grow it on my lace rock and a bit on my driftwood.
Even when I tried to get rid of it all, I never did really, but I find that keeping it in balance isn't difficult once the initial outbreak is slowed. Now if only I could keep hair algae alive in the tank again.
I know, my post is not terribly helpful, but just know that it doesn't have to be the scourge that it is made out to be. Of course, I'm a weirdo who enjoys all sorts of weeds, both aquatic and terrestrial, so take my comments as you will.
One thing that I WILL say that should be helpful; when cleaning the tank of the BBA, try not to let any of it escape into the water column when you remove it. If it's on your glass, have a siphon hose right where you're cleaning to suck it right out of the tank. I found that letting it disperse into the water only fuels the outbreak (considerably!), as the floating bits of it just attach to whatever is easiest to attach to, generally the plants.
I grow it on my lace rock and a bit on my driftwood. Even when I tried to get rid of it all, I never did really, but I find that keeping it in balance isn't difficult once the initial outbreak is slowed. Now if only I could keep hair algae alive in the tank again.
I know, my post is not terribly helpful, but just know that it doesn't have to be the scourge that it is made out to be. Of course, I'm a weirdo who enjoys all sorts of weeds, both aquatic and terrestrial, so take my comments as you will.
One thing that I WILL say that should be helpful; when cleaning the tank of the BBA, try not to let any of it escape into the water column when you remove it. If it's on your glass, have a siphon hose right where you're cleaning to suck it right out of the tank. I found that letting it disperse into the water only fuels the outbreak (considerably!), as the floating bits of it just attach to whatever is easiest to attach to, generally the plants.
I have tired to remove by hand and its stuck on there good.
Here is some pics of my tank and the algae
The whole tank
The algae I guess is NOT BBA, I am just tryin to get rid of whats in there at the moment. i have 2 Siamese algae eaters that don't even touch the stuff so not sure what else to do or whats the cause.
Here is some pics of my tank and the algae
The whole tank
The algae I guess is NOT BBA, I am just tryin to get rid of whats in there at the moment. i have 2 Siamese algae eaters that don't even touch the stuff so not sure what else to do or whats the cause.
