What kind of algae is this? I think it’s Blackbeard? And how to I get rid of it? I’ll use my squeegee and it doesn’t really come off and same with my magnetic scraper. Anybody else deal with this?
Black beard algae?
- Thread starter Americancichlidsaredabest
- Start date
Hard to make out, but it does look like it.
A razor blade may work, or a couple passes with the magnet could do the trick.
A razor blade may work, or a couple passes with the magnet could do the trick.
I'm sure that Blackbeard, like many other algae and plants, can take on different growth patterns and appearances. When I get the stuff, it's more or less the same colour your pics show, but mine always grows as a series of little clumps of stringy filaments that might reach anywhere from 1/4 inch to almost a full inch in length. It looks like a bunch of small, dirty shaving-brushes, and waves in the water with the slightest current.
It's got a deathgrip on whatever object it grows on; needs a razor to remove it from glass, and is very tough to get off of rocks or driftwood. Personally, I hate the stuff.
Have you tried hydrogen peroxide? Apparently some folks use that to combat algae of various types. It's just squirted on the algae in small quantities. It oxidizes organic material, and breaks down almost immediately into water and oxygen so has no lasting effects. I'm not recommending it and have no personal experience with it, but many people swear by its use. Some research would be in order before proceeding.
It's got a deathgrip on whatever object it grows on; needs a razor to remove it from glass, and is very tough to get off of rocks or driftwood. Personally, I hate the stuff.
Have you tried hydrogen peroxide? Apparently some folks use that to combat algae of various types. It's just squirted on the algae in small quantities. It oxidizes organic material, and breaks down almost immediately into water and oxygen so has no lasting effects. I'm not recommending it and have no personal experience with it, but many people swear by its use. Some research would be in order before proceeding.
I’ll see about a razor blade. I’m kinda scared I’ll scratch the glass tho.
I think I’ve heard somewhere about the hydrogen peroxide on YouTube or smth. Is there any danger to the fish if I do that?
I don’t think you can dose h2o2 right to the tank with any success. It would have to be done in a more concentrated bath outside the tank (not so effective for glass).
There’s more of a risk scratching glass with a magnet that has sand stuck in there than you would with a razor imo.
I’ve had success using scuds (fw amphipods) to eat bba, but that was also for decor moved to a different tank.
There’s more of a risk scratching glass with a magnet that has sand stuck in there than you would with a razor imo.
I’ve had success using scuds (fw amphipods) to eat bba, but that was also for decor moved to a different tank.
I wish I read that before I put the peroxide on lol. I watched a few yt videos and it seemed to work well for them. I put it on a paper towel and wiped it and applied it directly. I only did it for the front panel to see if it would work and it had little effect but in the video it took several days to work.
I embraced it and let it do it's own thing. When it got to the point that it covered everything it was beautiful in it's own right. Plus it makes a great place for your micro biology to grow, so great for fry rearing. 
How did you get it to grow so selectively on your driftwood etc and not the glass and plants
Eventually it made it up the back and side glass. Kept the front clear with a razor- blade. 
The plants were eventually overcome as well. I had pics of it but that memory card got corrupt and I lost all the data. The BBA stopped on it's own about three to four inches from the top of the tank. I am thinking the lights were too intense.
The plants were eventually overcome as well. I had pics of it but that memory card got corrupt and I lost all the data. The BBA stopped on it's own about three to four inches from the top of the tank. I am thinking the lights were too intense.