Black beard algae and hydrogen peroxide

[Nina]

I have my first mild/moderate black beard algae outbreak.  I've cut off a lot of infected leaves and removed and cleaned the rocks, but I can't get everything and want to keep defeating it (slowly over months is fine).  I've heard H2O2 works well, but I have snails.  What is the correct dose of H202 and in it safe for snails? 

[Fish Folk]

If your BBA is on wood or hardscape, remove it from the water, and spray the area with 3% H202 (over-the counter). Wait 5 minutes. Then put it back. The BBA will turn red / pink and die off.

No idea about snails. Unless they're ornamental pets -- e.g. Mystery Snails --  I wouldn't worry too much about them. I assume that the chemical reaction with H202 balances out in tank water reasonably quickly once re-immersed.

The tragic problem is . . . once you get some going . . . BBA is very, very hard to eliminate. I've bought a group of Siamese Algae Eaters before. They do wonders. I have a Clown Pleco that seems to eat some BBA if it's on wood. Some people buy Female Florida Flagfish to nibble on algae.

[JoeQ]

On 12/8/2023 at 5:12 PM, Nina said:

I have my first mild/moderate black beard algae outbreak.  I've cut off a lot of infected leaves and removed and cleaned the rocks, but I can't get everything and want to keep defeating it (slowly over months is fine).  I've heard H2O2 works well, but I have snails.  What is the correct dose of H202 and in it safe for snails? 

Here is a screen shot from a reliable source about the procedure of H2o2 usage.

This post was referring to blue green algae but I would Imagine the procedure would be the same for BBA

Edited December 9, 2023 by JoeQ