Aquarium Algae ID (updated 16th Spet '08)

Many articles on the net are preaching that reducing nitrates and phosphates will help keeping algae low. In non-planted tanks, maybe! But in planted tanks NO! Thanks to people like Tom Barr, Greg Watson and Diana Walstad aquatic plant growing isn’t that difficult anymore.Plants need more nutrients than algae to thrive. So, do not reduce nutrients, DOSE THEM! And keep those filters clean ;-)

6/18/2006

Black-Beard Algae (BBA), Red-Brush Algae

Unstable CO2 levels will induce BBA!
The best way to combat Brush algae is by maintaining CO2 at 30ppm, nitrates at 15ppm and phosphates at 0.5ppm. Leaves that are badly overtaken should be discarded. Observations;When I had a problem with BBA, I dosed 1ml per 50 liters of Easy Carbo (equivalent to Flourish Excel) every other day for a week. The algae turned purplish/pinkish and disappeared. Maintaining sufficient CO2 level and is the best way in controlling this algae. Siamese Algae Eater will eat BBA.
Photo by Dusko Bojic.

posted by Dusko Bojic @ 6:28 AM