Black Beard Algae

[Dan H]

HI:thm:
i have recently noticed what i think is BBA on 1 of my plants (its black and hairy lol).
after searching the internet and this forum i've come up with 2 solutions:
H2O2 or Excel?
which is better and how do you use them?
also where would you get them from?:help:
another thing is i've got every thing ready to make my own DIY Co2 and i've read that this could get rid of it is that true??
Thanks

 

[coach_z]

consistent co2 is helpful in avoiding BBA
h202 is hydrogen peroxide, any food store, convenience store etc will have it
excel - LFS (local fish store/shop)

i am battling it myself right now, it is no fun

 

[Dan H]

Also does it have to be food grade H2O2 or any?

 

[petluvr]

Just any peroxide will work however it will not prevent it from coming back if the conditions in the tank are still conducive to its growth. Check your phosphate levels and try to lower them as I have found this is usually the cause of BBA

 

[gmh]

If you are willing to set up DYI CO2 , that is you best bet, and your plants should respond favorably. Excell can also be useful but is expensive if you have a big tank, and it can stress or kill some plants.
As petluvr mentioned, H202 treats the symptoms but not the root causes of BBA.

 

[angyles]

BBA is caused by excess phosphates. The only thing I've found that actually gets rid of what's there, is removing the leaves/rocks/wood that it's attached to. I've seriously tried everything including wire brushes. If it's an object, letting it set in the sun for a while (days) kills it. Your best course of action is to remove the items, and then work on reducing phosphates to prevent it from coming back.

I used to battle it as well, REALLY BAD. I added co2, started dosing ferts (NOT phosphate because it comes in my tap water) and adding a phosphorus absorbing filter media because there's just too much of it for my plants to utilize even WITH pressurized co2 and ferts.

haven't had any in long time. hope this helps.

 

[katana1200]

Have I heard incorrectly or do true young SAEs (siamese algea eaters) also like to snack on BBA? Especially if there isnt much else to eat in the tank?

 

[angyles]

They're pretty much the only fish that will eat it but getting rid of it is another matter. Bad idea to get a fish to clean the problem up as it doesn't deal with the source: phosphates. gotta use them up some how and/or filter them out. And eventually the SAE seems to prefer flakes.