Ludwigia leaves turning black

[blert]

It does not rub off and the leaves are not melting. Been in tank about a month.

Lighting: Coralife 30" t5ho x2 bulbs (actinic + 10000k), 22" from fixture to substrate.

Dose: Excel daily, Comprehensive twice a week or so.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[aqua_chem]

Looks like BBA, which means too much light and not enough co2.

 

[blert]

Hmmm... It's not fuzzy and does not come off. T'is more like its painted on. Can't even scratch it off. It is not anywhere else in the tank.

 

[aqua_chem]

BBA can come in several forms, not all of them fuzzy. BBA won't come off easily either.

 

[bruinsbro1997]

I had that as well. It's quite hard to get rid of, I had to try to scrub it off, and when that didn't work, do some blackouts.

 

[blert]

Ok thanks. I'll lower my lighting time and maybe figure out a way to shade this plant for now and see if that helps. Would like to avoid a blackout if possible. I'll also up my Excel dosage if you think it may help. If I have to I can move the plant to a tank in the garage where it will get almost no light. I'll try to figure out a way to get co2 injection sometime in the near future but I'm out of work so my funding is a little on the thin side right now.

 

[aqua_chem]

In all honesty, I'm not sure that a blackout is a cure for BBA. I've never tried it, and I've never seen in recommended. Spot treating with excel or hydrogen peroxide are the most common treatments.

 

[bruinsbro1997]

In all honesty, I'm not sure that a blackout is a cure for BBA. I've never tried it, and I've never seen in recommended. Spot treating with excel or hydrogen peroxide are the most common treatments.

I do agree with you there. Shoulda said it also went away with dosing a bit more Flourish

 

[aqua_chem]

Spot treating excel might work short term, but if you have BBA, excel might not be able to hold it off for long.

 

[blert]

Ok thanks a ton.
I took the little fellow out and gave it a 30 second hydrogen peroxide dip. Then a bunch of it wiped off but much of it stuck fast.

How would I spot treat with Excel? Another dip?

I upped my Excel dose a small bit. In a couple days I'll up it a small bit more if all stays well in the tank. It says not to overdose on the bottle so what would be a safe dose on a 37g tank?

Since I just lost my job and no longer have health insurance I just closed my HSA as I kinda need the funds for the kids Xmas. I should have just enough left over for CO2. Any suggestions what I should buy? Not looking for a giant gas tank for this setup and there is at least one paintball shop in this town.

 

[aqua_chem]

How big of a tank is this?

Give the algae some time to die. It should change color in a day or so. Repeat application may be needed.

 

[blert]

37 gallon
30"x12"x22"
62 watt t5ho 1x actinic 1x 10000k (so medium-high light as the actinic does not do much other than color?)

 

[blert]

BBA is finally being beaten back. Yay! A slightly larger dose of Excel and holding all ferts did the trick. CO2 equipment will be in this week so hopefully I can keep it away for good. Good thing too as I'm almost out of Excel.