What's wrong with my swords - algae?

[Firecracker]

Is algae the problem with my swords?? If so, how can I get rid of this type?

They started out like this...


Now...

[ddaquaria]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

Do some research on BBA or black brush algae.

That will give you a starting point.

[Mzungu]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

I agree. Also, I would pull the old leaves off (the ones that are growing more of the algae). Young leaves won't be as susceptible if the plant is getting all the nutrients it needs, so you might want to think about root tabs or other ferts to help the swords stave off the algae.

(cute pleco, BTW!)

[eklikewhoa]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

looks like algae and nutrient deficiency.

[Firecracker]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

I had the tabs under them, but I think they were lost during cleaning one time, lol.

[Firecracker]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

Will using RO water help get rid of it?
We bought a pot with algae on it from the LFS when we were getting our tank started... thinking it would help "jump start'" the tank.  Yea, so we are now thinking that was not such a good idea, lol.
This algae is pretty thick & it's green. It looks like little bushes. Are we sure this is what type of algae it is? Here are a couple more pics.:

[ddaquaria]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

Never buy anything with BBA on it.  As soon as the spores get in your tank, I don't think you can ever get them out.

Get some true SAEs.  Remove the pot and plant leaves that are covered in the stuff.

[Firecracker]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

SAE??  Sorry, I haven't been doing this for long (obviously).  
I think we're pretty screwed at this point because it has gotten onto some of our rocks too.
I really wish the owner of our LFS would have told us this when we bought the pots... I'm sure he should have known it was a bad idea.
Oh well.  We have two very small pleco and a syn. in there right now & it's a 55g.  I guess we will have to put in a couple more pleco?
Would an 18 watt UV steralizer help?
Would a petro. eat it if I put one in there?  (If so, would I even be able to put one in with brichardi?)

[armthehomeless]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

SAE= Siamese Algae Eater

[Firecracker]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

Will I find those easily??

[eklikewhoa]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

Sometimes but most LFS will mark them wrong cause there are others that look similar.

If you are willing to try at it....just remove the pot....get some Seachem Excel and squirt it on there out of water for a few minutes....then put it back in. It should change colors eventually and then die off.

[Firecracker]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

Awesome!  I will have to try and find some of that stuff.

[Mzungu]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

I think Fish Ranch had a large number of SAEs in last I was there...You might want to call them and ask if they're the real deal. I agree, get one or two of those and try ek's Excel thing (which you should find in just about any LFS - it's called Flourish Excel, by Seachem, and it will be with the freshwater fertilizers). And be sure to remove all you can initially.

[Firecracker]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

I have heard that even if one spore of the stuff is still in your tank you are doomed... Is my only real choice just to start over completely with all new rock and pots - or has someone actually had success in getting this out of their tank for good?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: What's wrong with my swords - algae?

No, you will be fine....


The spore thing I think its only when the algae goes asexual.