Strange algae growths

catsaqqara · 11-29-2012, 06:26 PM

Hi, I am a fish tank novice. I've searched to find out what type of algae this is but haven't found anything. I'm concerned it could be harmful because it is brown/blackish as well as green.

These fuzz bubbles are only on the fixtures and not the glass, on the glass it looks like spot algae and a patchy bit of green with black/brown in the center. I have considered black brush algae but the fuzz is short like velvet, out of the tank it looks like slime.

I don't mind having this, I think it looks neat but I would like to know if it is a bad sign for my fish. I have 3 Harlequin rasbora and 2 new Otocinclus affinis.

foogie · 11-29-2012, 06:50 PM

black brush/beard algae.

kill it with fire.

..in all seriousness though, I don't think it's harmful, but like nothing eats it so it can take over I guess? most likely from too much light/too much dissolved organics in the water column. soooo... iunno, decrease lighting, do water change and add floating plants?

....and wait for someone to respond here about how to get rid of it. (something about squirting it with excel I think?)

but the main deal is to fix the cause, not the symptom. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will give a better answer. ^_^;

Darkblade48 · 11-29-2012, 07:08 PM

Looks like BBA to me as well.

Spot treatment with Excel or hydrogen peroxide will make it turn red and die back, but unless you find the root cause, it will keep coming back.

What is your lighting/fertilizing/CO2 parameters like? Tank specifications would be helpful as well.

11-29-2012, 06:26 PM	#1
catsaqqara Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: ny Posts: 1	Strange algae growths Hi, I am a fish tank novice. I've searched to find out what type of algae this is but haven't found anything. I'm concerned it could be harmful because it is brown/blackish as well as green. These fuzz bubbles are only on the fixtures and not the glass, on the glass it looks like spot algae and a patchy bit of green with black/brown in the center. I have considered black brush algae but the fuzz is short like velvet, out of the tank it looks like slime. I don't mind having this, I think it looks neat but I would like to know if it is a bad sign for my fish. I have 3 Harlequin rasbora and 2 new Otocinclus affinis. Attached Thumbnails

11-29-2012, 07:08 PM	#3
Darkblade48 Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,058	Looks like BBA to me as well. Spot treatment with Excel or hydrogen peroxide will make it turn red and die back, but unless you find the root cause, it will keep coming back. What is your lighting/fertilizing/CO2 parameters like? Tank specifications would be helpful as well. __________________ Anthony A Primer to Pressurized CO2 and A Primer to Planted Tanks Eheim Pimp #362 - Eheim 2213 x2, Eheim 2028, Ehein 2217, Eheim surface skimmer and Eheim autofeeder. Victor Pimp #33 - HPT272-125-350-4M

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11-29-2012, 06:50 PM	#2
foogie Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 24	black brush/beard algae. kill it with fire. ..in all seriousness though, I don't think it's harmful, but like nothing eats it so it can take over I guess? most likely from too much light/too much dissolved organics in the water column. soooo... iunno, decrease lighting, do water change and add floating plants? ....and wait for someone to respond here about how to get rid of it. (something about squirting it with excel I think?) but the main deal is to fix the cause, not the symptom. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will give a better answer. ^_^;