Algae and spotty java fern

[Lamie]

Two different things, one good the other less so. The black spots in rows on the underside of the fronds (= leaves, but being a true fern they are called fronds) are spores from which new plants may grow. Not a problem.

There is black brush algae on some of the leaves in the first photo. Problem algae, whatever species, is caused by an imbalance of light/nutrients, and it is resolved by restoring or establishing that balance. The light intensity and spectrum are important (the duration can be altered but it does not compensate for problems with intensity or spectrum if these exist), and the available nutrients which come from fish being fed, water changes and any plant additives. Any data on the light and plant fertilizers?

Yes, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and ph... Also, algae can be a great sign of life in an aquarium but can easly be scrubbed off the glass

That's good then. I'm glad. Yes. I haven't checked the levels for a few weeks. I will do that today. Thanks

That's good then. I'm glad. Yes. I haven't checked the levels for a few weeks. I will do that today. Thanks

The ammonia seems low 0 ppm or little higher

 

[Lamie]

Could we see some pictures and what is your tank parameters?

Nitrite is 0 and Nitrate is 10 or 20 ppm.
Thanks

 

[Lamie]

Two different things, one good the other less so. The black spots in rows on the underside of the fronds (= leaves, but being a true fern they are called fronds) are spores from which new plants may grow. Not a problem.

There is black brush algae on some of the leaves in the first photo. Problem algae, whatever species, is caused by an imbalance of light/nutrients, and it is resolved by restoring or establishing that balance. The light intensity and spectrum are important (the duration can be altered but it does not compensate for problems with intensity or spectrum if these exist), and the available nutrients which come from fish being fed, water changes and any plant additives. Any data on the light and plant fertilizers?

Oh no that's terrible. What can I do? I was reading about hydrogen peroxide. Is this the only way. I don't want to do that.

 

[Lamie]

Two different things, one good the other less so. The black spots in rows on the underside of the fronds (= leaves, but being a true fern they are called fronds) are spores from which new plants may grow. Not a problem.

There is black brush algae on some of the leaves in the first photo. Problem algae, whatever species, is caused by an imbalance of light/nutrients, and it is resolved by restoring or establishing that balance. The light intensity and spectrum are important (the duration can be altered but it does not compensate for problems with intensity or spectrum if these exist), and the available nutrients which come from fish being fed, water changes and any plant additives. Any data on the light and plant fertilizers?

Should I cut of the leaves with the algae on them?

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Visit your local supermarkets girly make-up section and buy a pair of the sharpest* scissors they have.
You can then use these to trim plants in future and, in this instance, you can either remove the leaves or just the edges.
(NOTE the correct comment about spores above).

*Sharp scissors are necessary, to avoid crushing plant material.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

...And don't forget to address the causes of algae in your tank.

 

[Lamie]

...And don't forget to address the causes of algae in your tank.

That's the problem. I just don't know what the cause is. I checked the parameters today. All fine(I think). No direct sunlight. Bit of indirect sunlight. But maybe it's the nutrients and I just don't know what. Thanks

 

[Lamie]

Visit your local supermarkets girly make-up section and buy a pair of the sharpest* scissors they have.
You can then use these to trim plants in future and, in this instance, you can either remove the leaves or just the edges.
(NOTE the correct comment about spores above).

*Sharp scissors are necessary, to avoid crushing plant material.

Thanks. Sadly a few days ago I cut off two of my java Fern leaves because they had algae

 

[itiwhetu]

The more plant you have the less algae you will have. Get your tank to over 50% plant and your algae problems will go away.

 

[Lamie]

The more plant you have the less algae you will have. Get your tank to over 50% plant and your algae problems will go away.

Thanks

 

[Rocky998]

That's the problem. I just don't know what the cause is. I checked the parameters today. All fine(I think). No direct sunlight. Bit of indirect sunlight. But maybe it's the nutrients and I just don't know what. Thanks

All your parameters SEEM fine... It could just be a little algae that started up you and can honestly just keep scrubbing it out or if its floating, then net it out... I do not know how to "kill" off algae in an aquarium so I'll let others give some tips on that.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

I do not know how to "kill" off algae in an aquarium so I'll let others give some tips on that.

• More real plants.
• Less organic waste.
• Less light duration.

 

[Rocky998]

• More real plants.
• Less organic waste.
• Less light duration.

That makes sense...

 

[Byron]

That's the problem. I just don't know what the cause is. I checked the parameters today. All fine(I think). No direct sunlight. Bit of indirect sunlight. But maybe it's the nutrients and I just don't know what. Thanks

I mentioned the cause, it is an imbalance. To sort this out we need to know the light data--intensity, spectrum (the Kelvin rating), how long the light is on each day, and is it consistent by using a timer or ad hoc. All of these lighting factors are important. As for the nutrients in balance, are you using any fertilizer? What is the GH of your water?

Do not use hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer that has been used under field conditions to control I. multifiliis. High doses can cause gill damage leading to fish mortality (especially at high temperatures) (Schmidt et al. 2006; Noga, 2010). Some may argue that "high doses" would not apply, but that is no reason (and may not be true anyway) to risk fish when there are safer methods.

 

[Lamie]

I mentioned the cause, it is an imbalance. To sort this out we need to know the light data--intensity, spectrum (the Kelvin rating), how long the light is on each day, and is it consistent by using a timer or ad hoc. All of these lighting factors are important. As for the nutrients in balance, are you using any fertilizer? What is the GH of your water?

Do not use hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer that has been used under field conditions to control I. multifiliis. High doses can cause gill damage leading to fish mortality (especially at high temperatures) (Schmidt et al. 2006; Noga, 2010). Some may argue that "high doses" would not apply, but that is no reason (and may not be true anyway) to risk fish when there are safer methods.

Thanks for your reply.
I don't know the Kelvin rating. How do I find this out. The tank light is on a few hours and it is not consistent. The sunlight in the room is not bright but light gets in on all sides of the tank. The java fern uses low light and the other plants use more light I'm guessing. It's all a bit haphazard. I'm new to this. I don't know whatthe GH of the water is or even what that is. Thanks again
The pH of the water is 7.4- 7.8
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrate 0 ppm Nitrate 10ppm