Real tough algae--Blackout did not work

[tanker]

Posted before about this problem. Still have this lime-green hair algae. About 1/4 inch long over my dwarf sag, ect.
Did the black-out thing. Turned off lights and CO2, covered tand completely with a black-felt shroud. Took off after 5 full days. Fish look OK (rams a little skinny, but OK). Algae did not expand, but did not go away either. DId a water change.

What next?? Nuke with algae-cide??

Help.

 

[tanker]

Info added:

The tank is 100gal and over 5years old. Heavily planted with about 4 watts per gal. I do use CO2 with about 45 bubble per 30sec. Algae has been here since January!!
Nothing works.

 

[ergo sum]

Blue-green, slime or smear algae

Grows rapidly in blue-green, slimy sheets. Spreads rapidly over almost everything and usually indicates poor water quality. However, blue-green algae can fix nitrogen and may be seen in aquariums with extremely low nitrates. Sometimes seen in small quantities between the substrate and aquarium sides. Will smother and kill plants. This is actually cyanobacteria. It can be physically removed, but this is not a viable long term solution as the aquarium conditions are still favorable for it and it will return quickly. Treatment with 200 mg of erythromycin phosphate per 10 gallons of water will usually eliminate blue-green algae but some experts feel it may also have adverse effects on the biological filter bed. If erythromycin is used for treatment, ammonia and nitrite levels should be carefully monitored.

http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/algae.htm

 

[Blinky]

If it's indeed cyanobacteria, I'd try the EM treatment since a blackout had no effect.
'Lime green hair algae' sounds like it may be something else... have you tried Flourish Excel? It has worked for many people, myself included, on hair algae.
What, exactly, does this algae look like? What is the texture like? If you can ID the exact type of algae, it will be easier to find the cause and the cure.

 

[tanker]

It is not blue-green or slime algae. It is a short fuzzy algae. Like short hair-algae. Will not rub or come off of leaves. Looks like a "green fungus", but is not. If you can picture a fish covered in fungus, it is like that, but lime-green in color.

I have not tried Flourish Excel. Read a few post about how well it works. This is my next shot. Will get from LFS 2morrow (Monday). Will update after.

Thanks

 

[Blinky]

I found this sticky on plantgeek.net, what you describe sounds like it matches their description of beard algae. Excel works well for hair algae, not sure about beard algae (can't hurt to try). There's a great post on the success of Excel with BBA in the same forum as the sticky, check it out, it might help too

 

[tanker]

I found this sticky on plantgeek.net, what you describe sounds like it matches their description of beard algae. Excel works well for hair algae, not sure about beard algae (can't hurt to try). There's a great post on the success of Excel with BBA in the same forum as the sticky, check it out, it might help too

Blinky: THANKS!! Nice info. I got beard algae!! Going to try the Excel and see what happens. They recommend simizine. I have not used that in years (think 7-8 years ago), really strong stuff. It will be my last resort. I remember that it did a good job and did not kill my swords and crypts. But do not remember what else I had in tank back then.