Black beard algae

[Nathandohnt]

What is BBA caused from. When I bought some java fern from a fish place it was all over the leaves an stuff. I managed to get it off but it grows on the roots from time to time. What do I do to get rid of it. Or is it good for ferns ??

 

[armymp327]

Sure it is bba? Can you take a picture? Java will often have black spots when it is reproducing, and the roots will be black/brown and fuzzy

 

[Nathandohnt]

See that dark fluffy **** on the roots ?

 

[armymp327]

Looks like normal java fern roots too me, anyways bba is typically cause because of an imbalance of light, frets, and co2

 

[Nathandohnt]

It is BBA the fish always try and eat it. And I'm always sucking it up when I vacuum the substrate

 

[aqua_chem]

Is it growing anywhere else?

 

[Cichlid Kid]

That is bba on the roots. If you have enough water circulation at the substrate then bba will occur there as well.

 

[Cichlid Kid]

The good news is, you say you have fish eating bba??? Cool!
I'm aware of only 2 fish, my mollies and SAE'S

 

[Nathandohnt]

it was growing on the leaves when i bought the plants but not anymore only one the root. and yeah my guppies and balloon mollies have a go at eating it. is it safe for them to eat?

 

[Rivercats]

Yes it's safe for them to eat, it's just rare they are eating it. You can also spot treat BBA with Excel or Hydrogen Peroxide. Just pull up 2-3ml of Excel or Hydrogen Peroxide for every 10 gallons of tank water in a needless syringe and slowly squirt the BBA. If using Peroxide turn your filter and lights off for 15-20 minutes during treatment. The BBA will start dying off within 24 hours.

 

[Cichlid Kid]

It is odd for fish to eat bba. My sae and a few mollies will but not to the extent that it makes a difference.
Did you ever scrape that stuff off and smell it? Nasty,nasty ... I wouldn't wanna eat it either.