Black Beard Algae

[32Chop]

I have had a bad outbreak of black beard algae. I have started to adjust my lighting and fertilizer to correct it. I will only be making small adjust to the lighting and fertilizer separately and slowly. My question is if I set-up a tank with some new eco-complete substrate can I use my existing tank water and one of the canister filters to cycle the new tank or will the water and filter have black bear algae spores that will contaminate the new tank. I want to move the fish to the new tank so I can give the old tank, stone and drift wood a good cleaning. I will let the amano shrimp take care of the effected plants.

[Brandy]

My guess would be YES, it will infect the new tank if you do that. I have had it ride from one tank to another on tools, so seriously I would not use the filters or any thing from the other tank, sorry. 

[32Chop]

Thanks Brandy. That’s exactly what I thought and have read. It’s nice to get actual confirmation. 

[Maria]

I'm trying to just convince myself I like the way bba looks at this point... my LFS has it so my tanks are always getting reinfected. 

[32Chop]

I would be stuck if my LFS had it. We only have one none chain fish store here. They are great and I have never had a problem bring anything home.