Beard Algae

[Caleb]

I have this ridiculous growth of beard algae in my 75 discus tank. How do I kill it?

I have taken out all seen plants with it growing on them, I took all the rocks out and ran them through a hot rinse cycle on the dishwasher (water only!!) Everything I can think of, and I still have a small amount of it. I've been starving the tank for light for about 4 days now as well.

I ordered a bunch of quick growing plants to hopefully take the nutrients from it, but on the other hand, I'm worried that it'll take over my new plants as well.

Caleb

[gsmollin]

If you want to kill it, you can add copper to the water. A product called Copper Safe will kill beard algae. Its also toxic to many other plants, and inverts too.

[mrk442]

Siamese algae eaters "SAE" eat it i had a horrible amount i added a few of them and in a week or so they had cleaned it almost all up i love them they are a must for any planted tank also i know a few shrimp eat it but i think the discus would dine on them:)

Just my 0.02 Good luck
Matt

[valerie]

I would add some SAE to your tank if you can. Sometimes they help sometimes, they don't it depends if they are hungry enoug to eat it.

I am also battling BBA in one of my tanks, I almost have it gone. I took out all decorations with some algae on it and bleached them.i also took out all my hardy plants like java fern and anubias and bleached them in a solution of 1 bleach:19water for 2 minutes.I cut off every leaf that i saw taht had some algae also.

I get rid of this you have to be drastic in your making sure yo uhave all of it removed. If you leave some in it will jsut come back.

I have successfully cleared out my other planted tank that was severely covered by BBA by using this method. I wouldnt' add chemicals to your tank,they do more bad then good.

[stpower]

SAE are they the same as "Flying Fox"?

[kveeti]

Originally posted by stpower
SAE are they the same as "Flying Fox"?

No, they are not the same.
Great site on telling the difference:
http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/
Site with real pics:
http://www.aquaworldnet.com/awmag/siamusa.shtml

[TrashmanTodd]

I used SAE's also. I've had really no new growth on the leaves, and now they're starting to work on the drift wood. Also I'd make sure all the peramiters are right. I changed my fert levels and that slowed the growth down a lot.

Todd:)

[125gJoe]

Here's a pic of my SAE's.
Notice the dorsal fins are almost clear, and the stripe goes all the way into the tail.

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1597696/23031660.jpg