Virulent BBA (Red Algae) Strain

Jay

During the past 4 months or so I have noticed an outbreak of BBA (red algae). I applied all of the usual tactics to shut it down. I have never had any problem controlling BBA or any algae for that matter. But this stuff is the most virulent strain I have ever seen. It is both free floating and will attach itself to fixtures and plants. It will survive a direct hit of hydrogen peroxide both 3% and 10%.

It is not affected by Excel dosed at 5 ml/10 gallons. It grows to about .125 - .25 inches. I suspect that it came in on some Tiger Lotus Bulbs.

Yesterday I performed a major plant pruning, heavy vacuuming, sterilized all of my equipment, removed all visible clumps of this stuff, and hooked up a UV sterilizer.

This is a heavily planted high tech tank, 75 gallons, with a modest fish load.

Tank Parameters:

• Ph 7.5
• NO3 20 ppm
• PO4 2ppm
• CO2 35 ppm
• KH 5dkh
• GH 10 dkh
• Calcium/Magnesium 60/25
• K as a result of dosing KNO3 and KH2PO4
• Temp 76 degrees F
• Light 3.5 wpg?is now cut back to 3. Compact fluorescent 10000K
• Substrate Fluorite
• Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement 15 ml 3x weekly.

Has anyone seen this stuff, I think I have it beaten back, but any input would be welcome.

Also, I am again seeing a correlation between dosing iron and nuisance algae. I know this is anecdotal information, but I am sure being persuaded in that direction.

Regards,
Jay

mralgae

Hi ya jay.
Not had the pleasure of this type to be honest but from what I know from other PTNs (planted tank nuts LOL) I can only add this for you.

For a tank as yours is it is suggested that an out break of BBA could be down to either low or fluctuating c02 levels (but I presume you have injection) so I think we may be able to rule that out. The other being to improve circulation, even adding a power head for some time to see if this helps.
Also ?OVERDOSING? excel or even spot dosing directly may help.
Although you are already at 35ppm c02 you could (carefully)try to aim for 40ppm as an increase.

Also are you saying you are adding iron and since then you have algae?

RoxiesMom

Hey Jay,

I too am having a hard time right now with the BBA. Like you, I am physically removing it to try and rid my tank. I'm surprised it hasn't grown on my mystery snail! It seems to have grown every where else!

Jay

Spot dosing Excel did not help...This stuff is incredible.

I have done it all. My CO2 is at a level just under what the fish will tolerate. Yes Injected. Circulation is excellent. The tank looks good after the major prune, major water change and vacuuming and sterilizing the equipment.

I also dumped a lot of cheap stems that were impossible to prune.

I may up the Excel daily dose to 40 ml for a week or so and see it I get any new growth.

I am also going to repeat the major vacuuming and water change this week and Sterilize filters etc. again.

Sorry, no. I shouldn't have posted that in this thread. But for future discussion... I have noticed that I get an increase in nuisance green algae if I dose iron weekly and it recedes if I dose, say, monthly.

Hey Roxiesmom: I don't know about you but the stuff that hit me is the worst I have ever seen. I really had to prune back significantly. Pull plants, heavy deep vacuuming, sterilize filters and equipment. Took me all day. I double checked all of my parameters, my dosing routine, and made sure my CO2 was rock solid on.

I even dragged out an old UV filter I took out of service and hooked it up to deal with spores. A full multiple front attack. I think I need to take algae free out of my signature for a while.

I guess now I need to keep on top of it every day until I am sure it is all out of the tank.

Jay

tony

I have only had red algae in my tank one time and the only place it grew was on the water fall below the bio-wheel on my penguin. It grew like long hairs about an inch long before I wiped it all off. Never seen it before and havent seen it since. I guess I was lucky. As for your thoughts on algae growth and a connection with iron dosing, I have no visible algae in my tank right now and for the past month. I just started dosing flourish with iron in my tanks, Ill let you know if I see anything that might contribute.

Jay

Thanks Tony...

If the algae was long and wavy, it probably was not Black Beard Algae, probably just a variety of green nuisance algae. Although IME filter outlets are a prime area for algae to flourish. I have the same growth on the outlet of my Whisper in my little Neon/Beta tank.

I seem to have beaten back the BBA with the multi front attack, although I can still see evidence of it in corners. I am going to spot treat with hydrogen peroxide and a syringe plus clean and sanitize my canisters today to see if I can wipe it out completely. I will also leave the UV on for a few weeks to deal with any spores.

Let me know on the Iron

Jay

tony

Jay,

Well its been two weeks since I started dosing with iron and my 30 gal tank is just starting to get more algae growth on the substrate and decor but not much. I had very little before I started dosing but I think that might be because I changed my substrate from gravel to sand. My molly tank that has algae has started to grow more on the gravel. I think both increases in growth are related to an increase in nitrates. I havent changed the water in 2 weeks and its at about 40-50 ppm from 10ppm 2 weeks ago. I really havent seen much out of the norm since I started dosing fertilizer. My algae eater has also gone missing a week ago in my 30 gal so that might also be why I see more growth.