apotocki
Aquarium Advice Regular
Ok....I'm getting fed up. (not really - just a bit upset)
I've had my 70 gallon FW tank up and running for a bit over a year now. I have had NO problems associated with disease (I.e. - ICK) or water quality. What I am not happy about is the build up of what I think is black algae on my SILK plants.
Over the past year I've replaced many of my plants as once this stuff gets on them, it's almost impossible to get off....I've removed them and used a toothbrush to get most off when doing gravel vac maintenance. This works OK but only for a time or two as the SILK fibers can't take much scrubbing before they fray and since I like a pristine looking tank -have to be replaced.
It usually takes about 3-4 weeks to start seeing the black algae and it is only appearing on the SILK plants. I have no algae problem on my glass, gravel, driftwood, or rock. My LFS told me this is a common problem caused by a phosphate build up and can be alleviated by switching to plastic plants (they clean up better) or using phosphate control in my filter.
I've ordered some Phos-Zorb for my XP-3 along with another round of 11 new silk plants.......anyone have any experience with this? Does this sound right?
Thanks
I've had my 70 gallon FW tank up and running for a bit over a year now. I have had NO problems associated with disease (I.e. - ICK) or water quality. What I am not happy about is the build up of what I think is black algae on my SILK plants.
Over the past year I've replaced many of my plants as once this stuff gets on them, it's almost impossible to get off....I've removed them and used a toothbrush to get most off when doing gravel vac maintenance. This works OK but only for a time or two as the SILK fibers can't take much scrubbing before they fray and since I like a pristine looking tank -have to be replaced.
It usually takes about 3-4 weeks to start seeing the black algae and it is only appearing on the SILK plants. I have no algae problem on my glass, gravel, driftwood, or rock. My LFS told me this is a common problem caused by a phosphate build up and can be alleviated by switching to plastic plants (they clean up better) or using phosphate control in my filter.
I've ordered some Phos-Zorb for my XP-3 along with another round of 11 new silk plants.......anyone have any experience with this? Does this sound right?
Thanks