Black brush algea

[BruceF]

Fun with google first hit, phosphorus plastic tubing.
“A process for forming plastic tubing which involves extruding a molten plastic composition through a die which produces an extended length of plastic tubing, passing the hot tubing through a vacuum sizing tube wherein the wall of the tubing is sized by being drawn to the wall of the sizing tube by a vacuum, and cooling the sized tubing so that the tubing will be self-supporting at normal ambient temperatures, wherein the plastic composition contains a phosphorus-containing additive in an amount sufficient to cause an improvement in the smoothness of the interior of said tubing.”

[HD Blazingwolf]

Hahahahahahaha

[sewingalot]

Originally Posted by BruceF

Is this the right one?
Batrachospermum: [low power]
This alga is found in shaded areas of reservoirs that contain soft water. Batrachospermum will not live in
water that is constantly exposed to the sun. It lives only in cold water that has low levels of organic materials. Thus it is an indicator of "clean water." It creates a problem when large growths in irrigation canals slow the flow of water.

No, but you are close, it is a Rhodophyta. More often than not, the name BBA refers to Audouinella species. Most often Audouinella hermannii - sometimes daviesii, unifila, species, rarely floridula. (I've collected samples from lots of people throughout the states.) An interesting fact about BBA - it reproduces sexually. It needs good flowing water to do so (but even a snail bumping into it will do the job on a small scale.) That is why you often see it in abundance in high flowing streams.

I've successfully eliminated it from the 55 gallon and 15 gallon. I know how to grow it and how to destroy it without any trouble. Nowadays, I ask others to send it to me for more mad scientist experiments as I only see one or two tufts in my experimental tanks/jars. Many of you are seeing/experiencing the theme on how to treat it successfully. "Being consistent."

(Oh - and I gladly take BBA samples from anyone that is plagued by it. I am always messing around with algae and have a new set of "tanks" waiting for new donations. )

[BruceF]

Thanks. I figured I was probably wrong. I have been playing a lot with various algae lately, not necessarily by choice. I have no idea what any of them are specifically. I assume just like moss there are thousands of them. I have been keeping tanks off and on for many years but I have never had any bba that I can remember. I usually only use moderate light and never use co2. So I have been curious about why and how it survives. It strikes me that I have only ever seen it in bubbling fish shops.

[sewingalot]

You are right in your assumptions. Thousands upon thousands and they like similar plants can have hybrids. I used to have nothing but trouble with BBA. Now, it's a rarity to even see. The best way to cure BBA algae is to prevent it from getting into your tank to begin with. Difficulty is it hitchhikes on plants, in the bellies of fish, on decorations, etc.