Starting over and pre-treatment

[troutsounds]

I've had aquariums for many years. Down to one large 2 foot tank in the lounge. Some time ago, perhaps from a plant, I got this black fringing type algae in my tank. I can't get rid of it. It just comes back slowly. I keep a few schools of tetras, one fighting fish, 6 corys - and a lot of plants. I've never had this type of persistent algae before. It's annoying. Tried a few treatments - algaecide (very lightly dosed) Excel, etc. I'm now at the stage I think I might start again. I will get rid of all the plants and wood. I say this because I did once try lightly bleaching all the Java ferns and driftwood. It still came back. But I'm wondering if I should change the gravel as well. Or can the gravel and tank be completely cured? How? Thanks for your time, it's much appreciated.

 

[Autumnsky]

Black Beard algae.

A number of things can help. Maybe a combination will get it beat down.

Too much light is possible.

Too little flow throughout the tank overall (though that said, I have also had a patch grow in front of my FX-5 out put which runs 300-400 gallons per hour through my 72G
tank).

CO2 issue being lower that it could be.

Treating with Excel in the whole tank regularly, providing it will not hurt the inhabitants, excepting the BBA

But just to get it out, you can trim off problem spots on the leaves, get all the pieces as it can spread. BUT you can also use CO2O household 3% hydrogen peroxide.

My recommendation would be to remove the DW and use something to scrape of the big areas like a gift card edge or corner or cut to the shape you want / or something else you feel comfortable using.

Rinse off.

Take a cheap new toothbrush and bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide 3% and brush it all around, drip some on with a dropper, let sit an hour or 2.

Meanwhile, then get busy with the leaves. You can trim the sides and ends, by keeping it in the same leaf shape if you are trying to keep the leaf or pinch / trim the leaf off.

If you can remove the problem items to treat, it would be best inmho. There are plenty of Youtube videos of treating in the tank. This can get out of hand if you have lots of spots needing H2O2. It can cause death of inhabitants if there is too much H2O2.

For leaves use 50% water 50% H2O2. You can brush on, or try a magic eraser very gently, or a little piece of microfiber cloth or terry towel
.

 

[troutsounds]

Black Beard algae.

A number of things can help. Maybe a combination will get it beat down.

Too much light is possible.

Too little flow throughout the tank overall (though that said, I have also had a patch grow in front of my FX-5 out put which runs 300-400 gallons per hour through my 72G
tank).

CO2 issue being lower that it could be.

Treating with Excel in the whole tank regularly, providing it will not hurt the inhabitants, excepting the BBA

But just to get it out, you can trim off problem spots on the leaves, get all the pieces as it can spread. BUT you can also use CO2O household 3% hydrogen peroxide.

My recommendation would be to remove the DW and use something to scrape of the big areas like a gift card edge or corner or cut to the shape you want / or something else you feel comfortable using.

Rinse off.

Take a cheap new toothbrush and bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide 3% and brush it all around, drip some on with a dropper, let sit an hour or 2.

Meanwhile, then get busy with the leaves. You can trim the sides and ends, by keeping it in the same leaf shape if you are trying to keep the leaf or pinch / trim the leaf off.

If you can remove the problem items to treat, it would be best inmho. There are plenty of Youtube videos of treating in the tank. This can get out of hand if you have lots of spots needing H2O2. It can cause death of inhabitants if there is too much H2O2.

For leaves use 50% water 50% H2O2. You can brush on, or try a magic eraser very gently, or a little piece of microfiber cloth or terry towel
.

A lot of great advice there. I wanted to thank you sincerely for taking the time to post. I am preparing a tank to house the fish in then I will give those methods a try. Much appreciated - take care. PK