Dealing with black beard algae

[Freeway8]

Hello, asking for suggestions to deal with what I think is black beard algae in my 15-gal (Fluval Flex) planted tank, primarily on the plants. It has been up and running for about 3 months now with stable parameters (see below). I have been "scraping" some off of the leaves between my fingers, but it grows back quickly. I don't have an algae eater per se, as I don't know of one that would do well in this small tank, but do have 3 spotted Corys, 4 Pigmy Corys, and 6 Red Cherry Shrimp. (Also, for a complete stocking description, there are 6 Glow Light Tetras and one Dwarf Gourami).

I DID have a fairly large pest snail population, which no longer exists after adding two assasin Snails. With the pest snails gone, the algae growth is getting worse.

I can easily just replace the plants, but I assume the algae growth will return.

Appreciate any input you may have.

Parameters:
pH 7.0
KH 40
GH 107
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0-20
5-gal (33%) water changes weekly
no chems or charcoal used
plant food - Thrive-S 3x per week

 

[Byron]

The "fuzz" on the edges of the sword leaves is black brush algae, one of its forms. This is what I term a "problem" algae, to distinguish it from common green algae or diatoms. It occurs from nutrients and light. There are only two fish said to sometimes eat this, one I cannot remember but both are too large and demanding for this tank anyway, it would be a disaster.

However, it is relatively easy to deal with, once you know. In a planted tank, it occurs when the balance of light and nutrients is out, such that the plants cannot utilize whichever and algae has the advantage. Restore the balance, and problem algae will be no more.

What is the light, and spectrum? How long is it only each day?

As for nutrients, "Thrive-S" appears to be for terrestrial plants, not aquatic. Please correct me if I'm wrong here, and provide a link to the product you are using.

 

[StevenF]

As for nutrients, "Thrive-S" appears to be for terrestrial plants, not aquatic. Please correct me if I'm wrong here, and provide a link to the product you are using.

Nilocg only makes Makes Thrive fertilizer. It designed for planted aquariums with fish. The -S version is a low copper version for shrimp. If also uses many of the same ingredients that are in flourish comprehensive. and Flourish nitrogen. The only major differences is that it uses Iron DTPA which lasts longer than Iron Gluconate in Flourish.

 

[Freeway8]

Thank you for the replies, appreciate the explanation regarding the lighting and nutrient balance. This gives me hope for a relatively easy fix.

After reading this, I researched more on lighting, and discovered I am likely having the lights on WAY too long. I have adjusted my timer from 10 hours lights on to 6 hours on.

My Fluval Flex lid has built-in LED lighting, both white and colors, that can be mixed. I cannot find a spec for the spectrum(s). I have been using the white lighting only, at its brightest setting. This is dimmable - I will take this down a step or two.

Below is the link for the Thrive-S plant food - per the description, for "freshwater planted aquariums that contain shrimp". I make the assumption that it can also contain fish, but we all know what can happen when one assumes. I will ask thru the Nilocg website which of their Thrive products is recommended for my specific setup. I do note I'm at the high side of the recommended dosing at 3x/week; I'll take that down to 2x.

NA Thrive S All-in-One Shrimp Specific Liquid Aquarium Plant Fertilizer

Aquarium Thrive S Fertilizer Thrive S is an aquarium plant fertilizer specifically formulated for freshwater planted aquariums that contain shrimp. Due to the sensitivity of freshwater shrimp, it is important to have a balanced composition of nutrients. Copper is necessary for all living...

nilocg.com

 

[jaylach]

The "fuzz" on the edges of the sword leaves is black brush algae, one of its forms. This is what I term a "problem" algae, to distinguish it from common green algae or diatoms. It occurs from nutrients and light. There are only two fish said to sometimes eat this, one I cannot remember but both are too large and demanding for this tank anyway, it would be a disaster.

However, it is relatively easy to deal with, once you know. In a planted tank, it occurs when the balance of light and nutrients is out, such that the plants cannot utilize whichever and algae has the advantage. Restore the balance, and problem algae will be no more.

What is the light, and spectrum? How long is it only each day?

As for nutrients, "Thrive-S" appears to be for terrestrial plants, not aquatic. Please correct me if I'm wrong here, and provide a link to the product you are using.

I don't know if this is one of the two fish you were thinking but one that eats black beard algae is Panda Garra or at least research says. Regardless, with the current tank population, Pandas would not fit the tank as they reach ~3 inches and one would want 2-4 of the beasties. Also adding fish that would eat the algae is just treating the symptoms, not the cause which is most likely too much light and nutrients.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I've kept panda garra and siamese algae eaters, and neither of them have any interest in BBA, in my experience. I think that info must come from some fish importer's marketing brochure. And Jay and Byron are both right; they're both too big for this tank anyway.

I have never had any luck killing this stuff by taking Byron's advice and restoring balance to the force. Green and blue-green algae I can keep under control that way, but once BBA takes hold in my tanks, the only way I've ever been able to kill it is by partly draining the tank and spraying it with flourish excel. It isn't an ideal option by any means, but it works when all else fails. Hopefully it won't be necessary in this case.