Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

[TXHawgHunter]

I have been having a problem with this nasty stuff for months.  Stuff grows on everything in the one corner of my 55 gal. Vacs of the gravel knock it down for a couple days and it comes right back.  I have removed gravel and rocks and scrubbed them and in a few days it reappears.  Plecos won't eat it!  Doesn't seem to hurt anything, but it looks like crap.  Any ideas?

Thanks,
Don

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

Heres a thread that Walter posted on Algae.

http://houstonfishbox.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1264&highlight=bba

[djmatthewblack]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

In my planted tanks when I started using liquid carbon (along with carbon gas bubbles), it seemed to kill the brown and hair algae but promotes the green algae which the plecos do eat.  

The amount of light will also affect algae.  I wouldn't know whether to tell you more light or less light for this stuff.  I am sure someone else can chime in here.

[djmatthewblack]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

Heres a thread that Walter posted on Algae.

http://houstonfishbox.com/modules.ph...&highlight=bba

Good thread.  So is that stuff string algae?

[TXHawgHunter]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

Can you tell me what kind of algae it is?
I'm kinda not real smart on this stuff!

[nacra99]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

Hm.... I have not seen algae like this before....from the consistency of it, it doesn't look like algae.
I have a suspicion that it is some sort of cyanobacteria.

Does it seem to "crawl" up the glass as it grows?
Does it comprise of a continuous mat rather thanfilaments (i.e individual strands).
Is it slimy in consistency rather than striggy?

if yes to all, it is most probably cyanobacteria, then the treatment would be erythromycin, but it must be used with caution because it could potentially wipe out your biological filtration as well. Make sure that you either remove the biological filter temporarily or have a packet of biospira handy just in case.

The apisto seems to like it tho....

[TXHawgHunter]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

nacra99,
It appears you get the gold star.
All 3 of your questions get a yes.
I have never heard of the treatment, but do the local chain stores carry it?
As for the Ram, she lays her eggs on a rock behind the plant in the back of that corner, not visible in the pix.

Thanks for the info,
Don

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

Hm.... I have not seen algae like this before....from the consistency of it, it doesn't look like algae.
I have a suspicion that it is some sort of cyanobacteria.

Does it seem to "crawl" up the glass as it grows?
Does it comprise of a continuous mat rather thanfilaments (i.e individual strands).
Is it slimy in consistency rather than striggy?

if yes to all, it is most probably cyanobacteria, then the treatment would be erythromycin, but it must be used with caution because it could potentially wipe out your biological filtration as well. Make sure that you either remove the biological filter temporarily or have a packet of biospira handy just in case.

The apisto seems to like it tho....

Thats blue-green algae right?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

Cyano comes in all sorts of colors....erythro....trick of the planted tank community  

[TXHawgHunter]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

Any fish that should be removed prior to treatment?
I have been told that clown loaches don't tolerate meds very well.
I have 3 of them in this tank, will the treatment bother them?

[Mzungu]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

I know it comes in different colors, but I don't ever remember seeing grey cyanobacteria.  :?

Weird. It reminds me of some sort of fungus, actually. Like the kind that grows on uneaten food? Do you happen to have any more pictures?

[TXHawgHunter]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

At work now, will post a couple more when I get home.
It is in a part of the tank that doesn't get much water flow and is always shaded if that helps.

Water parmameters are:
pH: 6.8
Amonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 25 ( is due for a water change tho)
gH: 90 ppm
Kh: 90 ppm

[TXHawgHunter]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

close up pics at Mzungu's request:

[TXHawgHunter]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

1 more try.
ISP failed to upload, I hate satellite internet.

[Nickintex]

Re: Grey - Black Algae, How do you kill this stuff?

Try some Pimafix. That stuff is good at killing fungus without hurting your fish. Helpful hint, purchase the pond version since it is more concentrated and you will get more for your money as its a little pricey.