How to get rid of a black beard in an aquarium

A beautiful, well-kept aquarium with healthy inhabitants is the goal of any aquarist. However, sometimes uninvited guests settle in a small underwater world, which is not easy to get rid of. One of the most tenacious algae that spoils the appearance of plants and the bottom is a black beard.

What is a black beard

Blackbeard is a weed algae that covers the leaves and trunks of underwater plants, stones, and other objects in the aquarium. Black beard grows in aquariums, where water is rarely changed, this plant even covers the walls of the tank. The black beard is the finest plexus of black and dark green villi, which, like fluff, envelops everything around.

Why does a black beard appear in the aquarium

Blackbeard can live in any aquarium, however, it only progresses in growth and development with a lack of proper care. A black beard can grow with improper lighting, with a lack of oxygen, and also if you overfeed the fish. Here are some of the main reasons black moss can settle in your tank.

1. If you rarely wash the aquarium and hardly change the water in it, you can confidently expect the appearance of a black beard in your possessions. If you decide to start a fish - give your pets and their home more attention.
2. Blackbeard can get into your aquarium with new underwater plants. If you bought a plant, you need to lower it into the aquarium and move it a little from side to side. If the plant is infected with a black beard, small black villi will noticeably flutter. You can not plant such a plant in a healthy environment. The same applies to decorative elements, snags.
3. If you have not changed fluorescent lamps for a long time, their light gradually loses brightness. Such dim lighting is a haven for breeding a black beard.
4. If you give the fish a lot of food - the remains of this food can be the cause of the emergence and growth of algae in aquariums. Some fish eat a black beard, but will not do this if you eat them more attractive food.
5. If you have too many fish in the aquarium, some of them need to be resettled. Fish are sources of nitrates and phosphates that stimulate the development of black beard.

What harm does a black beard bring to an aquarium

This alga does not cause any particular harm to fish living in the aquarium. However, black beard harms plants, especially slow-growing ones. This weed envelops the grass, and to remove the algae, you have to throw out the plant completely or most of it.

The main reason many aquarists struggle with a black beard is the aesthetic side of the issue. After all, who wants to see in the well-groomed underwater world impartial growths similar to mold?

How to get rid of black algae in an aquarium

Blackbeard is a rather unpleasant phenomenon only because it is difficult to get rid of it. To clean plants and stones mechanically is simply unrealistic - anyway, after some time, the beard will grow again. But you can get this algae using the chemical composition. Here are some effective and safe ways to get rid of this weed.

1. Some species of fish are happy to eat black beard. For example, Siamese algae-eater, Antsitrus and even simple catfish. These representatives of the fish world can be settled already in the overgrown aquarium. However, in order for the fish to get hungry and not to give up algae, they need to stop feeding for some time.Just a week on a starvation diet - and the fish will eat all the unwanted black fibers and clean the aquarium.
2. Blackbeard can be dealt with with simple antiseptics. However, this is quite a troublesome business, because in order to not damage plants and fish, they need to be resettled in temporary housing. A few tablets of furacilin or furazolidone must be dissolved in aquarium water and left for several days. After that, the inhabitants can be returned to the water. If the water after the tablets turns yellow - do not worry, after a while it will pass.
3. As a harmless antiseptic, you can use special solutions sold in pet stores. Such special aquarium products fight against the growth of unwanted algae, prevent flowering and decay of water in the aquarium. The walls for a long time remain clean and transparent, and the water is fresh.
4. If the aquarium is running, remember that the water in it must be changed as often as possible. This can be done at least every day. The fresh water that you pour into the aquarium must be purified and ionized. It is best to use special filters that provide the level of alkali and water hardness necessary for the fish.
5. Plants can also cope with a black beard. It is necessary to plant an aquarium with herbs with long stems. The aquarium is especially good at getting rid of blackbeard hornwort, Valisneria, Indian Rotala and Naias. This is a kind of aquarium orderlies that prevent the growth of silt and moss.
6. Strengthen the growth of green plants and get rid of algae will help special fertilizers. Pay attention when buying that manganese and iron should prevail in their composition. These are the best substances against black villi, which at the same time are useful for higher aquatic plants.
7. You can “shave” the ford in one fell swoop using the following procedure. Dilute a three percent vinegar solution in a small container. Then remove the beard-affected plants from the aquarium and, holding them by the root, lower them into vinegar water. The root system cannot be immersed in the solution. Then rinse the plant right in the aquarium and plant it back. Acetic water ideally exterminates dark fibers and is completely safe for fish and plants themselves. You can use apple cider vinegar.
8. Fans of aquarium fish share another proven way to get rid of this scourge. Moreover, this method is one of the simplest and least troublesome, because you don’t have to plant and reset anyone - neither fish, nor plants. You need to take a small battery and conduct copper wires from its two contacts. Lower the two ends into the aquarium and leave for several days. Microcurrents will kill algae without any chance of survival. But the fish and plants will remain safe.
9. If none of these methods suit you, you need to go to extreme measures. Separate all fish and all plants. Free the aquarium from water. All stones, sticks and decorative elements must be thoroughly washed, dried and put in the microwave for 5 minutes for disinfection. It is also necessary to rinse the walls of the aquarium. After that, they need to be rinsed with potassium permanganate or boric acid. After this procedure, rinse and fill the aquarium with clean water, lay stones. Before planting, plants should be carefully inspected and cleaned with cotton pads. It is better not to overwhelm the completely affected processes. If the plant is expensive, you can tear the leaf from it for planting.

Preventive measures

You already know why a black beard can occur and how to deal with it. However, to prevent its reappearance, the following preventive measures must be observed.

1. Aquarium hygiene - above all! It is necessary to periodically clean the container and change the water.
2. If the black beard grows despite the frequent change of water - reduce the circulation of water. The increased circulation gives algae extra nutrition.
3. Do not overfeed the fish. They should eat all the food in 3 minutes.If this does not happen, then the portion is large.
4. Immediately remove the remains of dead plants.
5. The number of inhabitants of the aquarium should be limited.

With a successful fight against a black beard, it will gradually begin to lighten and fall off from plants. If you notice the initial manifestations of the life of this algae - you can not hesitate. It is necessary to immediately take measures until this weed has grown and it was not necessary to take cardinal decisions. The cleanliness and beauty of the aquarium, as well as the health of its inhabitants are in your hands. After all, what could be more beautiful than a magical underwater world, looking at which you can enjoy the peace and measured calmness of its inhabitants.

Video: getting rid of a black beard (drastic measures)