About 4 months ago my large piece of driftwood began to grow black beard algae. At the time I assumed it couldn't spread off the piece but then not too much longer it spread to the rocks in the tank as well as the glass. all decor in the tank is absolutely covered to the point you cannot even see the rock. I wasn't too concerned but now it has spread to the gravel as I have a not very fine grain of gravel in my tank. I have looked up ways to solved blackboard algae but it has become out of control and I'm at a loss on how to treat an entire tank. Any ideas?
Black beard algae infestation
- Thread starter Bbg81018
- Start date
What's your WC cycle as that may be contributing to the issue perhaps.
I'm not sure to how best to treat the entire tank substrate. I know that you could remove the decorations and spray with hydrogen peroxide to temporary kill the black beard algae. I use to get some little growth only on the driftwood and I'd spray directly in the tank with no issues to fish.
You seem to have more agressive growth, but somethings to consider.
I'm not sure to how best to treat the entire tank substrate. I know that you could remove the decorations and spray with hydrogen peroxide to temporary kill the black beard algae. I use to get some little growth only on the driftwood and I'd spray directly in the tank with no issues to fish.
You seem to have more agressive growth, but somethings to consider.
Since you have Oscars and didn’t mention plants I assume you don’t have any live plants.
Cut the lights. I would only have the lights on for necessary cleaning and feeding.
I would increase water changes remove all the hard scape, rocks and driftwood. Spray with hydrogen peroxide or just let it dry out.
I wouldn’t worry about the gravel.
You can turn the gravel and vacuum during water changes.
Cut the lights. I would only have the lights on for necessary cleaning and feeding.
I would increase water changes remove all the hard scape, rocks and driftwood. Spray with hydrogen peroxide or just let it dry out.
I wouldn’t worry about the gravel.
You can turn the gravel and vacuum during water changes.
I'm planning on just removing all of the decors in the tank and drying it out. However, a lot of the filtration has the algae on it as well as the glass. should I dose the tank with Hydrogen peroxide, if so how much should I use to keep the fish safe?
I think the hydrogen peroxide is a topical solution... I don’t think there is any data on dumping it into the water... it needs o2 to react I’m pretty sure...
I’d go with what big - 5 said with a side of double dose the tank with flourish excel like two hedwlf states...
Stuffs nasty, I’ve got it in places...
GL!
I’d go with what big - 5 said with a side of double dose the tank with flourish excel like two hedwlf states...
Stuffs nasty, I’ve got it in places...
GL!
No you shouldn’t dose the tank. Hydrogen peroxide is fairly safe but I minor amounts.
It is more of a topical solution as
dr exum
said.Hydrogen peroxide will degrade to its key components hydrogen and oxygen (water). But, while it remains active it will be caustic so dosed directly to the water will allow it to get onto the fish which can be damaging to their slime coat and delicate tissue especially their gills.
You want to spray it on things like the filter lift tube, background , or decor.