Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: neilsarah on January 20, 2016, 07:09:55 PM

Title: Black algae on my rocks?
Post by: neilsarah on January 20, 2016, 07:09:55 PM
So I have never came across an algae that looks like this before. I also have never had a tank this big before. I have a 195 gallon with Malawi gaps and peacocks. 3 plecos and 2 syno cats. All water parameters are in the normal range and tank has been established for well over a year. I have read some things about co2 levels causing this as well as lighting issues. Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions? Thanks in advance for the help.
Title: Re: Black algae on my rocks?
Post by: Ron on January 20, 2016, 09:13:35 PM
Look up "black brush algae", "black beard algae", or "black bush algae" for more details on what to do next.

... on my non-planted tanks, I just learn to accept it.
Title: Re: Black algae on my rocks?
Post by: Thriftyfisher on January 20, 2016, 09:55:23 PM
I have found that if you stick pothos roots into the tank it will go away in time.  I don't have as big of a tank as you do but it works very quickly on a 29 gallon tank, like in a month. the roots will eventually grow down to the substrate.  However, I haven't used it in tanks where fish eat plants so if you have plant eating fish Cichlids, it may not work as well.
Title: Re: Black algae on my rocks?
Post by: mibwb on January 23, 2016, 12:20:45 AM
I have that in some tanks...it seems to really like to grow on the pleco caves. It seems to do no harm. I just take the caves and scrub it off now and then...no big deal. If it seems to really like a cave...I'll bleach it.