Algae and spotty java fern

[Lamie]

I have noticed hairy algae(I think) on the plants on the tips of the leaves and bits of green algae on the leaves on some plants. Also the older java fern leaves are getting all over spotty like freckles on them. I have had this tank and plants for about a year. Will the algae reduce if I put black paper around the sides and back of the tank? What is happening to the java fern?

 

[Rocky998]

I have noticed hairy algae(I think) on the plants on the tips of the leaves and bits of green algae on the leaves on some plants. Also the older java fern leaves are getting all over spotty like freckles on them. I have had this tank and plants for about a year. Will the algae reduce if I put black paper around the sides and back of the tank? What is happening to the java fern?

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

 

[Lamie]

Is that ammonia levels etc? Sure, I will upload some photos when I get home. Thanks

 

[Rocky998]

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

Is that ammonia levels etc? Sure, I will upload some photos when I get home. Thanks

 

[Lamie]

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

 

[itiwhetu]

The Java fern is most probably producing young plants, they do this off their older leaves. Algae is common and is only a problem when it takes over

 

[Rocky998]

The Java fern is most probably producing young plants, they do this off their older leaves. Algae is common and is only a problem when it takes over

Thats what I'm thinking it is... But its always good to have a visual.

 

[Byron]

The photos will help. The algae issue especially needs looking into.

 

[Lamie]

These are the freckled java fern and furry algae and green on plant

 

[Byron]

These are the freckled java fern and furry algae and green on plant

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?

 

[Lamie]

I use Seachem flourish 1 time a week. Lately it's been less. The tank doesn't get direct sunlight but is in a room that has light coming from two sides of the room. I don't leave the artificial lights on very much.
Can you see the not the black spots on the java fern but the bigger leaves are a reddish colour. The tank also get light from the tv and it seems to get I wouldn't say a lot of light. But the room is light during the day as there are a lot of windows.

 

[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?

 

[Lamie]

I wouldn't say a lot of light though, a bit more in the afternoon.

 

[Lamie]

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

I have firstly checked the pH. It looks like 7.6 (I have tried hard to get this down to 7. I planted plants and have drift wood).

 

[Lamie]

I have firstly checked the pH. It looks like 7.6 (I have tried hard to get this down to 7. I planted plants and have drift wood).

I have done the high range as well. Maybe 7.4 pH. Could be 7.8