we have a 125 litre tropical fish tank, it has been running for about 12 months, there is a black furry substance on the plants, we use treatment on tap water when we change the water.
i have been told its phosphorus from the water, is this right? is there anyway to get rid of it?
it doesnt seem to bother the fish.
thanks
2006-12-08 04:56:06 · 8 answers · asked by chuff_chutney 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Is it black beard algae (aka red algae)?
http://www.plantgeek.net/articles/gg_algae_faq/bba3.jpg
This probably the worst type of algae because no one will eat it (so do NOT get a plecostomous or an algae eater - they will not eat it) and you can't wipe it off.
You need to fertilize your plants with trace elements for plants with no phosphates. Supply extra Nitrates (you can buy this in a petstore), and put some sort of DIY CO2 injector into your tank (google it, it's easy to do, all you need a coke bottle, some yeast, some sugar, airline tubing, warm water and a big or silicone). Take your affected plants out of the water, cut off affected leaves and give them a quick dunk in Hydrogen Peroxide, or a 1:19 bleach:water solution. Rinse them completely after. Your plants won't look pretty, but the new growth will be algae free.
2006-12-08 05:09:10 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is a form of Algae and although it can be unsightly it doesn't harm the fish! Algae problems can occur if there are too few natural plants in the tank, over-feeding the fish, or the water quality. There are a couple of species of fish that will eat it but off-hand I can't remember the names! You should try going on to a Fish-keeping Site for help and advice! My own favourite is Thinkfish.com
2006-12-09 12:23:33 · answer #2 · answered by willowGSD 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right it wont harm or bother your fish, I've had the stuff growing for years and had little effect on the fish...we clean every 2 to 3 weeks for an 80 ltr and do the basics ...some people i know have thrown away bog wood,plants etc with the furry stuff on but too me its a nice added feature..Blends in with the tank....Not to worry..!!!
2006-12-09 12:44:43 · answer #3 · answered by Simon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not if you want any fish left, and a two foot tank is not going to be big enough, you have to take into account the fact that the size of tank has to fit in a heater not a fish water heater as turtles can bite these and break them, you also need a good filter and a basking spot with lamp on a dry area so this will reduce the space for the turtle, also a two foot tank will not be big enough for a growing turtle, the turtle is likely to eat your fish as well so it is not advised, best of luck honey
2016-03-28 23:21:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my water got to much Phosphorus my whole tank turned green.
I think its algae. Maybe try getting an algae eater or something to kill it off!
2006-12-08 06:56:10 · answer #5 · answered by angelmwilson 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your nitrate level is too high, this could be caused by, over filtering , too much food being fed, insufficient water changes. start off reigning back on your filtering, check nitrite if that's ok check nitrate, if that's still high, give it a 50 percent water change every week and cut food back, you got large cichlids?
2006-12-09 06:47:09 · answer #6 · answered by CRAIG G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's ugly but the fish love it so don't worry too much.
2006-12-08 06:18:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i had the same problem with my fish i suggest you try to wash it out and use a different filter or clean it with baby steriliser
2006-12-08 05:04:14 · answer #8 · answered by Junior N 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋