Black algea - Aquarium Advice

**melosu58** · 12-25-2007, 04:01 PM

My wife has in her planted tanks this black hard to get rid of algea that grows on the plants and ornaments. Can anybody tell me what it is and how to combat it. I know in SW excessive nutrients cause algea to grow but from what I understand these excessive nutrients are needed in planted tanks. The LFS called it beard algea. Recommended some type of shrimp to get rid of it. I`m not much of a fan on getting livestock to take care of problems in the tank. Any solutions?

neilanh · 12-25-2007, 04:51 PM

It sounds like BBA to me. I just went through a round with that. Honestly I never figured out what caused it. Olive Nerite snails love to eat it though, and cleaned up my entire tank of all (yes all) of it within a few days.

**melosu58** · 12-25-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilanh

Olive Nerite snails love to eat it though, and cleaned up my entire tank of all (yes all) of it within a few days.

Where did you get them at?

neilanh · 12-25-2007, 09:38 PM

Scales keeps them pretty regularly.

The good thing about nerites is that they will not reproduce in FW, but love the algae. Seriously, my tanks never looked as clean as they did after I got them.

If I had a surplus I could send you some. They're cheap, like a buck a pop, but I'm a little short on them too. I'll see if anyone in the local club has extras available, or if I can get out to Scales before my trip in 2 weeks I'll hook ya up.

**melosu58** · 12-25-2007, 09:40 PM

Thanks. Let me know

JeffreyL · 12-26-2007, 10:25 AM

Neilanh, thanks for the tip on olive nerite snails!! I have read about them but did not know they would eat BBA. I have had an ongoing battle with BBA in several tanks. Nothing too bad, but of course it never seems to go away completely.

Melosu58, try azgardens.com. They carry nerite snails at $.79 each, but shipping might clobber you. I haven't checked yet. I might get a dozen and rotate them around the planted tanks.

The only other thing I have found to deal with it is spot treating with Excell. It will kill any spot treated, and if you want to dose the tank, it seems to keep new growth in check. But it has not done much with large established patches, only spot treating jelped there.

Good luck with it, it can be tenacious!!

**melosu58** · 12-26-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyL

Good luck with it, it can be tenacious!!

I`m finding that out. Thanks for the info

Alshain · 12-26-2007, 03:35 PM

I'm curious how big are these snails? Will small clown loaches eat them?

neilanh · 12-26-2007, 03:59 PM

They can get larger than ramshorns, but not as big as apples, if that helps.

I'm sure loaches would love them.

Alshain · 12-26-2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilanh

They can get larger than ramshorns, but not as big as apples, if that helps.

I'm sure loaches would love them.

Lol, I wasn't asking because I wanted them to eat them. I want help with my BBA, but I have 3 clowns.

12-26-2007, 03:35 PM	#8
Alshain Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 807 Images: 4	I'm curious how big are these snails? Will small clown loaches eat them? __________________ Remember to vote For AA! 55 Gallon Planted Tank

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12-26-2007, 10:25 AM	#6
JeffreyL Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2006 Location: Charlotte, nc Posts: 300	Neilanh, thanks for the tip on olive nerite snails!! I have read about them but did not know they would eat BBA. I have had an ongoing battle with BBA in several tanks. Nothing too bad, but of course it never seems to go away completely. Melosu58, try azgardens.com. They carry nerite snails at $.79 each, but shipping might clobber you. I haven't checked yet. I might get a dozen and rotate them around the planted tanks. The only other thing I have found to deal with it is spot treating with Excell. It will kill any spot treated, and if you want to dose the tank, it seems to keep new growth in check. But it has not done much with large established patches, only spot treating jelped there. Good luck with it, it can be tenacious!!