Black beard algae

[Mpronsky11]

Ok folks, the title says it all. This algae is beginning to grow on my piece of driftwood. Its not to bad yet, how can i prevent in the future aswell as fix the problem now?

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[JonnyK90]

what kinda stock do you have in the tank ?

 

[JonnyK90]

if you haven't already id pick up a prochilodus or pleco to help contain the outbreak , it also will give them a healthy snack

 

[cichlidfish]

I have had it for years, but it never seems to get out of control. If you don't want it just scrub the driftwood every water change.


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[Aquaticfan]

if you haven't already id pick up a prochilodus or pleco to help contain the outbreak , it also will give them a healthy snack

These fish will not eat black beard algae. Bba is actually from the red algae group. Only a couple fish really every get after eating it. Even then its hit or miss.


To cure bba you have to wipe it out. But more importantly you have to fix the Cause. The cause in a non live planted tank is normally excessive nutrients like nitrates/phosphates. Combined with to much light intensity and/or to much light duration. Low ph can also be a factor. Bba is highly opportunistic. If any or all these are combined it takes very little for it to go nuts.

More/larger water changes with reducing the light intensity and duration the lights are on is a main factor to fix.

Pull the items with the bba growing on it and directly scrub them down with a brush. Then using hydrogen peroxide soak the items very completely. Let them sit. Repeat soaking again let sit then rinse and return to the tank. The h2o2 will kill bba. But you must resolve the issues that created it or it will just return.

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[Macomber]

Siamese algae eaters will take care of BBA - just be sure they are true SAE. I have two and they destroy it!

 

[Nate Dogg]

try taking the items out that are infected spray with hydrogen peroxide rise and then use flourish excel

 

[Aquaticfan]

Siamese algae eaters will take care of BBA - just be sure they are true SAE. I have two and they destroy it!

They do for a little while until they get larger and lazy.

PLUS if they are in with agressive fish they may not last long

 

[Aquaticfan]

All the treatments in the world anyone can recommend.......... be it H2o2 or Excel or add fish that might eat it wont do you a bit of good til you resolve the true cause of the issue.