Black beard algae starting on my madagascar lace fern

[Fdsh5]

Help! I noticed today my Madagascar lace fern is starting to grow black beard algae. Any ideas how to stop the growth? It has been in the tank for about 3 months and some of the leaves are well over two feet long. Should I cut them down and start all over? I dose excel weekly and flourish daily. I add potassium twice a week, the tank is at 74degrees because I read they do not tolerate heat well. I hate to lose the plants they are just beautiful. Thanks for any help. Oh and I have the lights on 4, off 4, on 4, off 12.

 

[Batt4Christ]

You running CO2?

 

[Fdsh5]

No sir, just the excel. I am considering a couple Siamese algae eaters for the tank. I just have to make sure they will get along with the angelfish. I know they are docile, but the angelfish get snippy after they lay eggs. They're lots of hiding places in the tank though.

 

[Batt4Christ]

I have angels and SAEs. No issues, but my angels haven't spawned either.

As far as BBA- they kind of nibble at it. If you have very little, then they probably would help. If they are nearly gull-grown and acclimated to prepared foods- then may be no help at all.

 

[Fdsh5]

These are only about an inch long so I'm hoping they will go to town. There isn't alot of bba, I just noticed it starting. Maybe I could increase the excel for a little bit too.

 

[fort384]

Dose the excel using a medicine dropper (free at any pharmacy) directly onto the trouble areas daily. It will kill it within a few days.

 

[Fdsh5]

Sounds like a plan. I use a syringe to measure it anyway so I can just put it by the bba and slowly release it. Thanks

 

[Rico]

So how's your bba situation these days?