How do you get rid of Black Beard Algae?

[david1978]

Divide the amount by 10. That will get you from 30% to 3%

 

[Mandarabe]

For hydrogen peroxide, I would check what plants you have first - thicker or large leafed plants shouldn’t have any problems, but ferns will die if sprayed nearby, even underwater (I learned the hard way). Moss should survive small amounts sprayed from a distance, but directly spraying into a clump runs the risk of killing it all
for short term treatment applied into tank water every other day for a couple weeks, most other plants should hopefully survive if not directly sprayed on.

All this is from my personal experience, so someone else might be able to provide a more specific list.

 

[GabrielParker]

Divide the amount by 10. That will get you from 30% to 3%

OK. I'm ordering 3% anyway

For hydrogen peroxide, I would check what plants you have first - thicker or large leafed plants shouldn’t have any problems, but ferns will die if sprayed nearby, even underwater (I learned the hard way). Moss should survive small amounts sprayed from a distance, but directly spraying into a clump runs the risk of killing it all
for short term treatment applied into tank water every other day for a couple weeks, most other plants should hopefully survive if not directly sprayed on.

All this is from my personal experience, so someone else might be able to provide a more specific list.

Oh I have java fern but I could remove it whilst treating

Would this be fine to use?
'Food grade hydrogen peroxide 3%'

 

[david1978]

Would this be fine to use?
'Food grade hydrogen peroxide 3%'

Yes it would be fine.

 

[GabrielParker]

Turns out I can't order or go out out and buy it because of corona virus so I m stuck with no way of getting rid of it and it's taking over my tank fast

 

[KinderScout]

youcan't order online? What about Easy Carbo or Flourish Excel?

 

[vinay021]

Hydrogen peroxide doesn't work as efficient as CO2. I tried that in the early days of me combat with BBA. What stock you have in your tank? H2O2 will make it a bit soft or tastey for Golden Algae Eater. Yet, it doesn't come off your fixtures. That is one tough algae to deal with.

You have to solve the underlying problem else it will be back with the same force.

If you still want use H2O2 in your tank, 10ml /100L shouldn't harm any of your live stock. I have Noen tetra, Glassfish, Albino tetra and GAE.

 

[GabrielParker]

youcan't order online? What about Easy Carbo or Flourish Excel?

Looking into flourish but can't really go get it either.

Hydrogen peroxide doesn't work as efficient as CO2. I tried that in the early days of me combat with BBA. What stock you have in your tank? H2O2 will make it a bit soft or tastey for Golden Algae Eater. Yet, it doesn't come off your fixtures. That is one tough algae to deal with.

You have to solve the underlying problem else it will be back with the same force.

If you still want use H2O2 in your tank, 10ml /100L shouldn't harm any of your live stock. I have Noen tetra, Glassfish, Albino tetra and GAE.

I have neons, harlequin rasbora, cherry barbs, glowlight danios, honey gourami, otos and corydoras

 

[vinay021]

Looking into flourish but can't really go get it either.


I have neons, harlequin rasbora, cherry barbs, glowlight danios, honey gourami, otos and corydoras

These fish shouldn't have any problem with the H2O2

 

[GabrielParker]

These fish shouldn't have any problem with the H2O2

OK. Should I remove them just to be safe when treating?

 

[MacZ]

OK. Should I remove them just to be safe when treating?

Rather remove the treated decoration. Don't stress the fish unnecessarily by catching them.

 

[GabrielParker]

Rather remove the treated decoration. Don't stress the fish unnecessarily by catching them.

I can't remove the center wood and some of the plants without completely ruining the tank.

Do I do a water change 10-15 mins after treating?

 

[vinay021]

OK. Should I remove them just to be safe when treating?

Not required. Use a syringe of 2.5 ml to spot treat the infested area. Why 2.5ml syringe? A 10 ml syringe will also work but tough to control the outflow of H2O2.

Dosage should not exceed 10ml / 100L in a day

Also, turn off filter/airstone if any few minutes before treating. Just to make sure there isn't any water flow to blow of the H2O2. A water change is also not required as the H2O2 converts to Plain water (H2O)

Just go through this link before treating it.

To be on the safer side I suggest you use H2O2 on an incremental basis. 2.5ml on the first day, 5ml on second day / 3rd day, 7.5ml on the next and so on...

 

[ImpairedFish]

Found this on Youtube, not sure how beneficial it might be but I've never had this problem.

 

[GabrielParker]

Not required. Use a syringe of 2.5 ml to spot treat the infested area. Why 2.5ml syringe? A 10 ml syringe will also work but tough to control the outflow of H2O2.

Dosage should not exceed 10ml / 100L in a day

Also, turn off filter/airstone if any few minutes before treating. Just to make sure there isn't any water flow to blow of the H2O2. A water change is also not required as the H2O2 converts to Plain water (H2O)

Just go through this link before treating it. Hydrogen peroxide - The Free Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Encyclopedia Anyone Can Edit - The Aquarium Wiki

To be on the safer side I suggest you use H2O2 on an incremental basis. 2.5ml on the first day, 5ml on second day / 3rd day, 7.5ml on the next and so on...

Thanks. Great tips

Found this on Youtube, not sure how beneficial it might be but I've never had this problem.

Thanks

Would this be OK?
'McKLords Hydrogen peroxide 3% spray, Natural, 500ml'

 

[vinay021]

Would this be OK?
'McKLords Hydrogen peroxide 3% spray, Natural, 500ml'

Haven't seen this brand here. Why not buy it in a drug store across the counter. Deliveries may take time due to COVID-19

 

[GabrielParker]

Haven't seen this brand here. Why not buy it in a drug store across the counter. Deliveries may take time due to COVID-19

I'm in the uk and in lockdown so the only way to get it is order from Amazon.

 

[david1978]

That should work.

 

[GabrielParker]

That should work.

OK thanks

 

[KinderScout]

UK?
If all else fails you can get Easy Carbo (same as I use for BBA) from here mail order
Aquarium Plants from Aquarium Gardens UK | Live Aquatic Tropical Tank Plants

 

[GabrielParker]

UK?
If all else fails you can get Easy Carbo (same as I use for BBA) from here mail order
Aquarium Plants from Aquarium Gardens UK | Live Aquatic Tropical Tank Plants

Cheers

 

[Mandarabe]

You can get from a pharmacy or most supermarkets with pharmacy ( in UK) - if you go to do a shop or med pickup just ask at the counter - my Tesco’s offer a selection of % !!!

 

[GabrielParker]

You can get from a pharmacy or most supermarkets with pharmacy ( in UK) - if you go to do a shop or med pickup just ask at the counter - my Tesco’s offer a selection of % !!!

OK thank you

 

[Broggy]

How do you get rid of black beard algae?

 

[StarGirl]

That looks like Staghorn not BBA.

 

[fishnovice33]

Yep staghorn. Though they usually come hand in hand and both are caused by co2 issues and flow issues coupled with waste - organic or ammonia. Unfortunately, not a lot of information to go on here. I’ve only had it one as a result of high levels of organic waste.

 

[Sez]

Turn the filter off first and Treat with liquid carbon and searchem excel through a pipette

 

[StarGirl]

Turn the filter off first and Treat with liquid carbon and searchem excel through a pipette

Only use the amount it says for your tank though. You will have to do small sections a day.

 

[Broggy]

oh! thank you. do you dose the whole the tank, or put it directly on the algae?

 

[StarGirl]

oh! thank you. do you dose the whole the tank, or put it directly on the algae?

Turn the filter off and use a syringe or pippet directly on the algae and let it stew for a bit then turn the filter back on. Dont forget to turn it back on like I do....lol........... Only use the dosage it says a day.

 

[ProudPapa]

Turn the filter off first and Treat with liquid carbon and searchem excel through a pipette

Turn the filter off and use a syringe or pippet directly on the algae and let it stew for a bit then turn the filter back on. Dont forget to turn it back on like I do....lol........... Only use the dosage it says a day.

May I ask why the two of you are recommending turning the filter off before dosing? I'm not disagreeing, just curious. Maybe because filters often have carbon, which will absorb the chemical?

 

[StarGirl]

May I ask why the two of you are recommending turning the filter off before dosing? I'm not disagreeing, just curious. Maybe because filters often have carbon, which will absorb the chemical?

More of a concentration in one area. Like a spot dose.

 

[Broggy]

should I take the sponge filter out?

 

[GlennO]

should I take the sponge filter out?

No need. Just turn it off for 10 min to minimise water movement while you spot dose.