Black GSA...right?

[scottward]

DSCN1085.jpg

This "sooty" black algae forming on some leaves of my plants.....this is a black form of Green Spot Algae isn't it?

I don't have any on the glass, just on the plants/rocks.

I don't believe it's diatoms; it doesn't come off easily (leaves have to be removed).

Definitely not BBA; I'm very familiar with that.

Dosing 1 tsp of Mono-Potasium Phosphate 3x per week for my 100g.

Scott.

[dutchy]

Probably GSA allright. besides PO4, Also CO2 can be a part of the cause. Note that there is a delay in getting rid of GSA, it takes arpund two weeks before growth stops.

[scottward]

In my case it's been there for months, but the plants are growing pretty well though, and algae is otherwise not too bad (apart from a few diatoms).

Silicates are also a factor to GSA I think?

So, water changes could keep introducing silicates?

Scott.

[Biollante]

Hi Scott,

It is almost certainly red algae, one of the three common manifestations.

Biollante

[scottward]

Hi Scott,

It is almost certainly red algae, one of the three common manifestations.

Biollante

Red algae? As in BBA?

But it's flat - not fluffy at all....?

So a blackout won't get rid of it?

[philiprambo]

Its really good.Thanks a lot for sharing.

[scottward]

...and I thought I knew everything about this hobby! Yeah right! :-)

For some reason I thought there was only 1 freshwater species of Red algae.

I be wrong (not the first time).

Ok, so this particular variety of Red Algae that I have is, I assume, just as much of a pain in the backside as the fluffy variety; it's a case of prune of the leaves, or bleach dip the plants etc etc.

I suppose I could take the fish out, drop the water level right down so that the tenellus is exposed, spray it with Excel....? This would do the trick I believe?

Scott.

P.S. I know why it appeared too. Bubble counter clogged up, CO2 level dropped, water warmed up -> plant metabolism went up...........root cause analysis done.

[StefanCampbell]

Although red algae do not grow as large as brown seaweeds, they display a very wide range of growth forms from single-celled species through to delicate filaments, crusts, densely branched, or expanded blades. Members of the family Delesseriaceae include some of the most delicate thalli found in the red algae.

[scottward]

Although red algae do not grow as large as brown seaweeds, they display a very wide range of growth forms from single-celled species through to delicate filaments, crusts, densely branched, or expanded blades. Members of the family Delesseriaceae include some of the most delicate thalli found in the red algae.

The Delesseriaceae family is marine though isn't it?

Scott.

[scottward]

I'm hoping 2 weeks of triple strength Excel dosing will clean this stuff up.

The leaves look pretty good underneath.

Scott.