Some amount of algae is normal in most fish tanks.
When you see algae that is short, thick, and nearly black, it’s likely you’re dealing with the dreaded black beard algae.
This article is all about treating black beard algae with hydrogen peroxide in a aquarium.
Treating Black Beard Algae With Hydrogen Peroxide in a Aquarium
Black beard algae, also known as BBA, is one of the most frustrating types of algae that can infest your tank. It grows on decor and plants, and can slowly kill your plants over time.
Thankfully, black beard algae can be treated with something that most people have right in their medicine cabinet: hydrogen peroxide.
Black beard algae can be treated with 3% hydrogen peroxide without causing any damage to your plants or fish, as long as it’s used correctly.
How Do You Kill Black Beard Algae With Hydrogen Peroxide?
Black beard algae can be killed by either spraying or soaking it in hydrogen peroxide.
Both spraying and soaking are adequate ways of treating the black beard algae, but spraying can be gentler on some delicate plants.
For hydrogen peroxide spray treatment:
- Remove the decor or plant that has the black beard algae on it from the tank.
- Spray the item with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- Let the hydrogen peroxide sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Thoroughly rinse the plant or decor off with clean water until all the hydrogen peroxide is removed before placing it back in the tank.
For hydrogen peroxide soaking treatment:
- Remove the decor or plant that has the black beard algae on it from the tank.
- Soak the item in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the decor or plant from the hydrogen peroxide and thoroughly rinse off all the chemical before returning it to the tank.
When you replace the treated item, the algae will still be present since it sticks so stubbornly, but it will now die off.
After you replace the treated item, you may notice the black beard algae turning colors from black to pale gray or even light red.
This simply means the black beard algae are dying, and you’ve accomplished your goal.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Is It Safe to Add Hydrogen Peroxide to a Tank?
Sterilizing fish tanks, piping, glass, and plastic is made simple using H202. Contrary to bleach, H202 decomposes in 24 hours in contact with water into inert water and oxygen. Because of this, it is ideal for usage in an aquarium setting.
2. How Does Hydrogen Peroxide Work?
Water with an additional oxygen molecule is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The a dded oxygen molecule oxidizes, giving peroxide its power. This oxidation removes color from surfaces like tank glass and destroys bacteria.
3. How to Clean Aquarium Plants With Hydrogen Peroxide?
Use 3% hydrogen peroxide for making a hydrogen peroxide plant dip. It works well against algae, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. In 1 gallon of water, combine 2-3ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Dip your plant for no more than 5 minutes in the hydrogen peroxide plant dip solution.
4. Will Hydrogen Peroxide Kill Fish?
Hydrogen peroxide cleans by releasing oxygen and water into the environment. The only danger to your fish would be an oxygen deficiency.
5. How Much Hydrogen Peroxide Is Needed?
When outside of the tank, you can spray the black beard algae or soak it in as much hydrogen peroxide as you need.
Adding hydrogen peroxide to the fish tank itself isn’t recommended because it can kill other plants as well as algae. If there is no way to remove the item that the black beard algae are growing on, you can add:
- 10ml of hydrogen peroxide for every 15 gallons of water in the fish tank.
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