I have a 55 gallon tank that has been healthy and well establised (over 10 years), over the past few months I have seen the growth of dark gray feathery like invader. Not sure if it is a fungus or what. So far fish dont seem to be bothered by it, but I am. I removed all artificial plants, cleaned filer (Fluval ?605) changed all components of filter ( I know, should do all at once but thought I would try) now its growing pretty quickly on the gravel. Any ideas what it may be or how to treat it. I would hate to have to change the gravel. Will try to upload photo.
unwelcome growth in tank
- Thread starter coux92
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molliwopp
Aquarium Advice Addict
Black brush algae also called beard algea.
Definitely BBA. How long do you run your lights daily? What is your nitrate level? How often do you do WC's and how much do you change out each time?
Until you get the algae under control only run lights 6 hours daily. Once the algae is gone and the problem that caused it is corrected you can slowly build up your time by 30 mintues every 3 weeks or so until you see algae begin to form. Then back the lights down 30 minutes and this should give you the amount of time you can run your tank daily without having algae issues.
In the mean time you can spot treat the algae using hydrogen peroxide 3%. Turn off your filter, pull up 1-3ml of peroxide for every gallon of tank water in a syringe, hold syringe right up to algae and slowly squirt. Leave filters off 20 minutes. If you have a lot of algae you will have to spot treat an area each day. But remember if you don't correct the problem that caused the algae in the first place it will return after spot treating. Also usually within 24 hours the BBA will begin turning white, pink, or red which means it dying.
Until you get the algae under control only run lights 6 hours daily. Once the algae is gone and the problem that caused it is corrected you can slowly build up your time by 30 mintues every 3 weeks or so until you see algae begin to form. Then back the lights down 30 minutes and this should give you the amount of time you can run your tank daily without having algae issues.
In the mean time you can spot treat the algae using hydrogen peroxide 3%. Turn off your filter, pull up 1-3ml of peroxide for every gallon of tank water in a syringe, hold syringe right up to algae and slowly squirt. Leave filters off 20 minutes. If you have a lot of algae you will have to spot treat an area each day. But remember if you don't correct the problem that caused the algae in the first place it will return after spot treating. Also usually within 24 hours the BBA will begin turning white, pink, or red which means it dying.
Thanks for the help. My tank Has been so stable, i have not done any water testing in years!
So many years in fact my test strips expired in 2008! Guess I need get get new. I have been leaving the light on much longer the past few months.
So many years in fact my test strips expired in 2008! Guess I need get get new. I have been leaving the light on much longer the past few months.
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