First up, let me say, in the normal course of event's, I'm one not to give a Rat's about Algae in my tank. I post this for info, and for interest, and although I'm open to solutions, and by all means, your comments, I'm not going 'help me help me' as I writhe under a growing mound of green and black stuff. - Thank you [bows - the echoes of a single person slowly and deliberately clapping can be heard...].



[above] Here are some Algae 'tufts' growing on one end of my tank. I've had this stuff for about ten years. Everyone seems to hate it. I've been told it is a variety of "Red Algae". Generally to the naked eye, it appears black in color, although rubbing it between your fingers in bright light, a dark green tint is visible.



[above] The 'wet hair' look, when the water's down, on my spraybar, and pump up-take (both of which I scrubbed clean two months ago!). It propagates quickly in the higher lit areas of the tank, and it's absence is obvious in shaded areas. It also seems to like areas where there is good water movement. It comes off glass and plastic very easily, not so much for wood, and plants will be damaged in the process. Slow growing plants can succumb to this algae, as the leaves are enshrouded.



[above] A slow growing plant overcome with the Algae, upon my very photo-genic hand. I've given a couple of the chemical 'miracle' cures a shot, usually with far more devastation upon my Plants, than the Algae (if at all!). I believe this is the Algae that people advise the Siamese Flying Fox will eat. And possibly even Green Barbs.

In addition, a recent observation of mine. My young juvenile Bristlenose have been getting into some. There is a distinct pattern of removal in the corner where they congregate (probaly just because that's where they 'sucker' onto the glass).

if it is red algae and u want a difinitive guide to reduction and elimination then i cant tell u, but i know a man who can

if u can be bothered readin a long article that contains 'science' check this link ...

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apart from the 'science' it does contain some handy tips in 'laymans terms'

apparently too much iron may be a cause.

i am a bit like u in that as long as the algae doesnt start to get hold i dont mind a little. a little is healthy i recon and it also gives my shrimps, ottos, bristlenoses and even the guppies some extra 'greens' to munch

I've printed it up for a 'lay on the Sofa' read. I would imagine I've read most of it before. I've done some sniffing about for Algae info at times.

I don't know that Iron is my problem, I have an Iron test kit, that I've used for seeing how long my Fertiliser is good for. At a full dose, I can have a null reading in 10 days! Of course, it could be the Algae soaking it all up! Hmmm, just checking the label, I'm sure one of them gave an indication of how often to dose... It does say however, that I should have good plant growth without Beard Algae problems!

I've just taken a peek in the Small Tank. The Algae is losing the battle against those 30 little Bristlenose. It's gone from most of the plastic accessories, and the Tree Root.