black algea?

Question

my friend had black algea all over her plastic plants, rocks and other decorations in her tank...I know it isn't harmful but how do ya get rid of it?

Answer 1

If it's black brush algae (see photo: http://www.floridadriftwood.com/brush_algae.jpg) it's a little harder to get rid of than most. Siamese (not Chinese) algae eaters are the only fish that will eat it. Since it's on plastic items and rocks, you can remove those that it's growing on and put them in a bucket with one part bleach to 10 parts water and let them soak for 15 minutes. Rinse very well and let them air dry before putting them back in the tank.

There may some items you can't remove, or driftwood or live plants that it's on, and there will be spores in the water, so you'll also have to keep it from growing again. This link give you an article with a few ways to do that: http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/tonealg.shtml

The stuff doesn't grow well in tanks with lots of nutrients, so doing frequent water changes will help. So will raising the pH a little.

Answer 2

You could Buy Algea Control From Tetra from your local Pet store.

Answer 3

get alge eaters, or catch all the fish put in seperate container. completly empty tank and scrub everything off. then put everything back in tank. if possible leave rocks do not rince rocks because the fish need the bacteria that is in the rocks to survive and live healty and to keep the nitrite and nitrate, ammonia levels in the tank at a healthy level. get an alge eater.