Black beard algae?

[A3M0N]

Is this black beard algae growing on the vallisneria? What's the best way to deal with it? 

I've dialed back my lights to about 50% white and 60% blue, running for eight hours a day. Maybe just use white at 50% and cut out the blue? I'm also not going to add root tabs this month, maybe too much fertilizer causing an issue? I'm currently experimenting with DIY co2, but also run a sponge filter, so I'm not sure how much its really helping - other than just being fun for me to try. 

Thanks! 

[CJs Aquatics]

Hard to say, it could be the start of black beard algae, or something else entirely. As far as dealing with it, aside from what your doing regarding (light, nutrients, and co2) perhaps something like manual removal, or I’ve heard peroxide does wonders on it when used properly. Also a niche group of fish eat it if the fit into the theme of that tank but my go to is flourish excel personally. 

[A3M0N]

Thanks! It's in a 10 gallon that's not heavily stocked, but don't think I can fit an algae eater in there. I have a mystery snail, but I don't think they eat this kind of algae. I'm leery of Flourish Excel and hydrogen peroxide because I just read vals don't do well with them, and I don't think they're doing so hot right now anyway. But I've also read where the vals does fine, so, it would be a risk I guess. 

[Cinnebuns]

Looks similar to what I've been battling in my 29 gallon for awhile. 

 

I was told it was BBA but I'm not entirely sure because I was also told this is BBA and they look different to me

 

So hopefully someone can answer this for both of us lol. 

[Cinnebuns]

Upon more research it's more likely to be staghorn algae. 

[A3M0N]

It's definitely getting worse. I guess I'll turn my light down even more? I'm tempted treat it with hydrogen peroxide and just hope for the best. But I'm also planning to make some filtration changes, hopefully will improve flow because there's next to none with my little sponge filter only. I'll have to pull a couple of the vals up to install the filter parts, maybe cutting the runners and moving the plants and sand around will be good for the whole system along will better flow help clear it up before I try chemicals? 

[A3M0N]

Well, I went ahead and dosed with hydrogen peroxide. Turned off the filter, poured 10ml above the plants and give it a little swirl. Waited 15mins then changed the water. I'll post a picture in a week to see any (hopefully good) changes. I'm shopping for plants to add to the tank as well, and raised the light up off the lid, pictures of that are in my journal if anyone is interested. 

[JoeQ]

The best way to deal with algea is to  grow lots of healthy plants (lots being the operative word). The peroxide is a good bandaid fix, but until you get enough plants (soldiers) to fight the algea for you, you'll always just be putting a bandaid on the problem.

 

[Cinnebuns]

On 9/8/2022 at 2:07 PM, A3M0N said:

It's definitely getting worse. I guess I'll turn my light down even more? I'm tempted treat it with hydrogen peroxide and just hope for the best. But I'm also planning to make some filtration changes, hopefully will improve flow because there's next to none with my little sponge filter only. I'll have to pull a couple of the vals up to install the filter parts, maybe cutting the runners and moving the plants and sand around will be good for the whole system along will better flow help clear it up before I try chemicals? 

Check out the thread in journals about reverse respiration. I've only done a small version of it so far and have gotten a lot of algae dying. It might be a better and less harsh option. 

[nabokovfan87]

On 9/8/2022 at 12:07 PM, A3M0N said:

It's definitely getting worse. I guess I'll turn my light down even more?

Potentially, let's take a step back and look at the big picture.

On 9/5/2022 at 6:43 PM, A3M0N said:

I've dialed back my lights to about 50% white and 60% blue, running for eight hours a day. Maybe just use white at 50% and cut out the blue? I'm also not going to add root tabs this month, maybe too much fertilizer causing an issue? I'm currently experimenting with DIY co2, but also run a sponge filter, so I'm not sure how much its really helping - other than just being fun for me to try. 

First question for me is what light are you using, which dosing chemicals and what schedule?  How often and what volume water changes are you doing?

You mention you're experimenting with CO2.  This is likely a contributing factor if it's not constant every time.  DIY CO2 tends to suffer from that as a norm, so it's something worth keeping an eye on.  If you ever run CO2 I would recommend using  a drop checker as well.

In terms of light, I would cut it back to 40-45% as your highest value.  In terms of how I run mine I shade it slightly yellow/red with my tones. I am not saying this is what you should do, but just as a note about the information I'm going to share below.

If you're running the Fluval planted 3.0 light you have 5 channels, for those channels my settings would be:
-Pure white: 45%
-Warm white: 35-40%
-Cool white: 30-35%
-Red: 30-40%
-Blue: 1-5%

With most of what I've experienced in my tank trying to fight this stuff, I do notice that it goes towards old growth first.  Once it takes a hold there you will see some new growth as the plant tries to fight it.  The algae on the old growth gets longer, then it blooms / spreads.  The algae releases spores into the water and that's what you're really fighting. Those spores go everywhere and latch onto different parts of the tank based on conditions in that location.  My tank has gotten so bad to the point where it took hold on the silicone in the back right wall.  I've had it grow on plastic, I've had it grow on just about every surface you can think of. 

Manual removal is your friend.  Keeping the plants alive is not easy, especially when you get overrun.  I've replaced my plants ~4 times and had no success with some of them that I keep trying to get to grow from multiple sources.  Slow growing plants will get overrun by this stuff. I've moved pretty much all of my anubias out of my tank that has the most issues because of it, trying to give it the best chance of recovering.  I've added a ton of stems, a few plants that should carpet, mosses, and I am still trying to push this stuff back for good.  I have posted some of my experiences with RR in the RR thread, which is a great place to focus on that method specifically.  Some plants are sensitive to it and I don't have that list. I do know Val has been tested with it, so I also recommend you check that out if you want to try that method.

My best advice I can give you is to push yourself to constantly remove it as much as possible. If you see it take hold somewhere, try to remove it on hardscape and gravel vac as much as you can.  Keep an eye on filtration, equipment, etc. and make sure it's functioning properly.  As the plants fall apart they release phosphate, which doesn't help, as well as cause issues with pumps clogging up and lowering flow. One issue leads to the next, to the next.

So.... take a breath, it's going to be a fight to get rid of it, but you can do it. I have dramatically improved my tanks through a ton of trial and error.  Keep things consistent, adjust what you need to, then go ahead and try to push it out for good!

[A3M0N]

@nabokovfan87 thanks for the reply. I'm using a Nicrew Classic LED, right now it's only on white at 50% running for 8 hours a day (9am-4pm). I'm not dosing anything regularly, I was adding root tabs once a month, but am taking the month of Sept off in an attempt to let whatever extra nutrients either get used up or dissipate. I did dose 10ml of hydrogen peroxide yesterday, and this morning all the algae on the plants was red! I have been doing 50% water changes weekly, but I skipped a week, prior to the one I did yesterday, because the water parameters were good. I'm not sure if I should be doing weekly changes regardless, or only if the water conditions demand it. I should probably start only changing like 30%. I've been feeding only nano pellets twice a day, I have no idea how much. It changes each time, but I need to figure that out. And I've been dropping an algae wafer twice a week for the snail. I did just start feeding flakes once a day, in place of one of the pellet feedings, because it seems like the neons aren't eating the pellets well. 

Even though the hydrogen peroxide seemed to work, so far, I'll likely do a round of RR when I change out my filter. I figure if I can be sure its all gone, and bolster the plants at the same time, why not?! Yeah, the co2 is kind of a fun experiment right now. I've been eyeing some red plants and want to explore a carpet for the foreground. I have a "real" diffuser coming in tomorrow, instead of my DIY ones. Maybe that will help with consistency a bit. Everything I've read or videos I've seen point to the sugar/yeast DIY method doesn't inject enough co2 to be a concern to the fish, but just a bump for the plants. But, I'm always open to learn more! 

[nabokovfan87]

On 9/11/2022 at 12:23 PM, A3M0N said:

Even though the hydrogen peroxide seemed to work, so far, I'll likely do a round of RR when I change out my filter. I figure if I can be sure its all gone, and bolster the plants at the same time, why not?! Yeah, the co2 is kind of a fun experiment right now. I've been eyeing some red plants and want to explore a carpet for the foreground. I have a "real" diffuser coming in tomorrow, instead of my DIY ones. Maybe that will help with consistency a bit. Everything I've read or videos I've seen point to the sugar/yeast DIY method doesn't inject enough co2 to be a concern to the fish, but just a bump for the plants. But, I'm always open to learn more! 

Definitely interesting stuff!  I will be intrigued to see how things progress. It definitely comes in cycles and waves (it blooms) and so that one week off might've been the kicker to give it the bump it needs. I would adjust down the blue and see what happens.