Black algae

[Mr Pleco]

In one corner of my six-footer, the gravel is getting a black algae or some type of black non-symmetrical spots...it is only in this corner and seems somewhat contained. When I gravel siphon the area it has a sulfa type smell coming out of the hose........any ideas? Parameters seem ok. I am in the safe zone for both Ammonia and nitrites, nitrates on my tank are always high around 40PPM..Note: tap water is high to begin with... so for my bioload on this particular tank I am managing the cycle on the fringe..


Any ideas on the black algae if indeed that's what it is.... FYI...The lights are only on at night for approx 3-5 hours after work, off entirely during the day and the tank is sheltered from direct sunlight

 

[WyldFya]

Is it a flat alga or does it look like hairs? It is most likely black brush algae, which grows fairly slow compared to other types of alga. This type of alga needs to be removed from the tank, and it is very fast to attach to surfaces, and stay. Removal from items can be very difficult.

 

[Mr Pleco]

WyldFya it's flat ,I read and searched posts/pics on this subject doesn't look like any plant or diatom types of algae.. I have actinic bulbs with normal all glass standard tubes on this tank..The actinic bulbs I use for moonlight effect a lot brighter than the LED type..anyway I'm rambling.. I just tore down that half of the tank took out the driftwood and rocks scrubbed them down with a strong salt solution scrub, I didn't want to take a chance if this was bacterial in nature... and really siphoned the gravel like there was no tomorrow...any ideas this is the only tank out of the 3 it's happening in...

Anyone know a good phosphate remover? I'm stretching here

 

[WyldFya]

My guess would be a dark brown algae, which is a diatom. If you get it again, and have a stronger light put that over it, and see if that has any effect on the algae. I really like Seachem's Seagel for phosphate removal.

P.S. I like the pleco you're hunting, but good luck, I've been hunting for one for several months with no luck yet. Blue is supposed to be tracking one down for me though.

 

[Mr Pleco]

My guess would be a dark brown algae, which is a diatom. If you get it again, and have a stronger light put that over it, and see if that has any effect on the algae. I really like Seachem's Seagel for phosphate removal.

P.S. I like the pleco you're hunting, but good luck, I've been hunting for one for several months with no luck yet. Blue is supposed to be tracking one down for me though.

Thanks, for your help.. I know when I first started with plecos I was all over the board, now I'm settling in , just looking for panaques and the ever elusive 330.. let me know how it goes with Blue, looking forward to pics?