Re: [GSAS-Member] Brush Algae

[Kate Breimayer <kate@munat.com>]

I have that algae too, black mollies will eat it.
I would  not immerse the heater in bleach but would only dip the part 
with the algae, or you could wipe it off as much as possible and then 
use a paper towel with bleach to get the residual. 
I kind of like that this particular algae covers the equipment. If it's 
on the gear and not the plants I don't see it as a detriment. I have a 
completely invisible CO2 diffuser coated in fine black velvet which is 
also a buffet for mollies and a great spot for fry to hide behind. I 
hated the looks of the thing when photographing the tank and now it 
doesn't show at all.
Kate

AuntieFran@comcast.net wrote:

> 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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