[Gabe Jongeward]

I currently have some hair or black beard algae (I believe) not sure… anyway it’s growing on a big peace of wood I have in the tank, it is extremely hard to take off and I was wondering what fish will clean it. I also have some other type growing on som of my plants with a thin layer and it’s starting to be a problem. I need advice on how to get rid of it. Thanks.

 

[ludachris]

How big is your tank? Not many fish will eat that crap. Siamese algae eaters are famous for eating basically everything, but they get heckin' big and apparently like to be kept in groups when they're young.

I've also been told amano shrimp will eat it, but that has not been my experience.

 

[Gabe Jongeward]

I have a 55 gallon. I have some CAE fish but I’m going to get rid of them because I’m tiered of big fish and I have som ghost shrimp.

 

[ludachris]

got any photos of the algae

 

[Gabe Jongeward]

it’s only these spots by the filter.

 

[Gabe Jongeward]

 

[Gabe Jongeward]

It’s kinda like a sponge.

 

[Gabe Jongeward]

There is like a red patch to I just got back to my dads and I’m really worried now.😢

 

[Gabe Jongeward]

Should I turn of the lights to get rid of it?

 

[ludachris]

Should I turn of the lights to get rid of it?

A blackout is pretty effective at getting rid of a lot of different kinds of algae. I have read that BBA also tends to form with low or fluctuating CO2.

Wish I could help more, but algae is just hard to get a handle on. I've got BBA in two of my tanks and if you ever figure out how to make it go away, I'd be interested to know how you managed it lol

 

[Gabe Jongeward]

A blackout is pretty effective at getting rid of a lot of different kinds of algae. I have read that BBA also tends to form with low or fluctuating CO2.

Wish I could help more, but algae is just hard to get a handle on. I've got BBA in two of my tanks and if you ever figure out how to make it go away, I'd be interested to know how you managed it lol

Ok, I don’t have a co2 canister I’m going to my LFS and ask around and get some cleaners.

 

[Gamegurl]

Is that wood or rock that it's growing on? Can you pull it and bleach it?
Having battled different algae types I have read a lot about it (gee that's what I wanted, NOT! lol) anyways, don't panic about different colors just yet.
Even my annoying Brown algae, aka Brown Diatoms, comes in green, brown, yellow, red, even orange, I mean BRIGHT orange.
If it was my tank I'd pull up some plants and try washing them outside the tank, vacuum as much of the gack up as you can, if you can suction it out.
Trying to help but as ludacris said there isn't a definitive method of removal that I know of.
Clean that filter really well, it's propelling the spores around your tank.

 

[ludachris]

If it was my tank I'd pull up some plants and try washing them outside the tank

What's your method for doing this?

 

[Gamegurl]

I'd pull them up if I had to and rinse them in a 5% bleach solution. 1 gallon water add 5 tablespoons bleach=5% solution.
Have a bucket of fresh water dosed with triple strength dechlorinater. Dip the plants for 1-2 minutes in the bleach solution, then rinse in the fresh water for another couple minutes.

 

[Gabe Jongeward]

it looks like a field of grass or a bed of moss

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

It looks really cool in that last photo Art.
Once youve cleaned the algae up,as a preventitive,try introducing some Phosphate pads or Purigen into your filter.
Everytime ive gotten algae,its when the phosphates start to rise.
Flake food's a contributer and if youre a keen feeder like me : ) it can cause a few problems if youre not careful.
Ive never had to deal with BBA,thank *&^%,so i dont have any "tips" on getting rid of it,sorry.

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

Im really sorry,that should be Gabe...not Art 🤪

 

[susankat]

You can take the wood out and spray with peroxide, then put back into tank. The bba will turn colors then you can take it out and scub with a wire brush.. Or you can take fish out and put them in bucket with tank water pour peroxide in tank let sit sit 24 hours, do a large water change. like almost all water. put everything back. Once dead the pleco should start eating it.

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

Thank you susankat, great info.
Ive been using Hydogen Peroxide for years to clean my Anibias etc (the plants are attached to things so they're easy to remove and treat) but i didnt realise it was good for treating BBA.
I use a misting bottle with HP mix and a soft sponge to clean my plant leaves etc.
Washing my plants down with Hydrogen Peroxide definately keeps the algae at bay for longer.
If i ever get BBA i know what to hit it with now : )

Ive just read that you can draw a little up in a syringe (3 to 6% HP) so you can target areas better (get the nozzle right up to the algae and realease slowly).

Now there's a good subject to start a thread about - Hydrogen Peroxide...use in the home aquarium

HP is also excellent when used on normal,everyday plants.Having that extra oxygen molecule really gives them a kick and it also helps to keep them clean and pest-free....great stuff all 'round.🌞