annoying black algal junk

[OrandaMan]

So I'm looking around at pictures of different types of algae. I found nothing like this stuff. The name that sounded most promising was black beard algae, but the pictures I find don't look like what I have.

On two plants in the same aquarium, these fuzzy, black "hairs" always start to grow on some of the leaves. On the big plant, I've been pinching off large bits when I see it growing. The smaller is a group of corkscrew val and I'm thinking I'm just going to have to yank them out. The weirdest thing, though, is that it's popping up on the holey rock inside. Little tufts of black hair - similar in appearance to if you were to cut out part of a spiny sea urchin - here and there on the rock. And only from tiny holes in the rock, not all over and not in between. My other plants seem immune thus far.

What is this stuff?

[Mzungu]

So it looks nothing like the pictures on this page which depict Black Beard Algae?

http://mralgae.blogspot.com/2008/01/so-you-have-got-dreaded-weed-in-your.html

How long are the "black hairs?"

[kwc1974]

Pics please.
I would guess it is BBA. BBA will vary in color brom black to dark green. I hesitate to tell you how to treat it without first being able to positively ID. Pics will help this.

[OrandaMan]

I'll try to get some pictures later today.

Okay, in your link, Mzungu (and thank you for that), I paid special attention to both black beard algae and stag horn algae, but I'm still leaning more toward the black beard. The thing is that its strands on the plants (and it seems to have taken a liking to my floating anacharis, as well) look longer and less uniform (or perhaps just less dense) than in all of the pictures I've seen of black beard. And I've seen nothing resembling the little tufts popping up on the rock.

I don't know if this will help, but aside from some plants seeming to be completely unaffected, the pest snails (which I grow in this tank) completely ignore this source of food.

I'll try to get those pics later.

[lilmissruffcountry]

got the same thing here..its BBA....:furious::evil::furious:

[OrandaMan]

No! Take it back!

Well, I've read there are a few fish that eat it. Time for some research and searching.

I'll still post the pictures later just in case.

[OrandaMan]

Shoot. Florida flag fish are really pretty, but it looks like a bad choice.

Anyone know a local shop that has Siamese algae eaters?

[danielp]

I had a similiar problem in my 29 gallon bio cube on my Anubias plants.

Went to HAW purchased 10 Nerite snails and all algae was gone within a week.

Snails are still in the tank and the plants look really good.

[lilmissruffcountry]

Shoot. Florida flag fish are really pretty, but it looks like a bad choice.

Anyone know a local shop that has Siamese algae eaters?

SAE's are nice...amano shrimp too...I have a dozen shrimp in the my tank, and they don't even seem to eat it like they are supposed to. So a small school of SAE's are my next buy, and if that don't work...looks like I may end up setting up a first co2 set up:evil:..never done co2...kinda scared of it, especially with a 6month old in the house getting into everything...and the tight money situation...hope some of my stuff sells good...I need to pay off some of these hospital bills so I can get back to normal fish habit/hobby buying. Pray my next appointment goes well, and the doctors are done poking, proding, and cutting.:icon_hang:

[OrandaMan]

I'm looking for things I may be able to sell. I'm just loathe to get rid of any of my fish. Perhaps some of my plants. I have some really nice wisteria I can take cuttings from and maybe even bring some anacharis. Got some baby red crypt, too. Maybe sell it all in a bunch.