[GSAS-Member] Brush Algae

[AuntieFran@comcast.net]

The following was taken from George Booth's article on algae, posted at: 
http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/algae.htm


Brush algae

This grows in feathery black tufts 2-3 mm long and tends to collect on slower 
growing leaves like Anubias, some Echinodorus and other wide leaf plants. Also 
tends to collect on mechanical equipment. This is actually a red alga in the 
genus Audouinella (other names: Acrochaetium, Rhodochorton, Chantransia). It 
cannot easily be removed mechanically. Remove and discard the affected leaves. 
Equipment can be soaked in a 25% bleach solution, then scrubbed to remove the 
dead algae. Siamese Algae Eaters (Crossocheilus siamensis) are known to eat 
this algae and can keep it in check. A more drastic measure is treatment with 
copper. 
Now, my question: I've recently "acquired" some brush algae in two tanks; in 
each case it's growing on the Ebo-Jager heater. If I opt to soak the heaters in 
the 25% bleach solution, will that in any way harm the heater? I ask because 
it's growing at the top, really close to the control mechanism. Also, how long 
would they have to soak? I have a spare heater I could use in the 10G afflicted 
with this pest, but the other is a 50W in a 15T tank.


--
Growing old is inevitable; 
growing up is optional.
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