What is Black Beard Algae?

Okie dokie, so first things first, what the heck is Black Beard Algae? Well, it is a type of red algae that gets its name because it looks like, you guessed it, a black beard. Not the pirate kind, unfortunately, but the kind that grows on your tank’s plants, rocks, and decorations. This stuff is stubborn, tough as nails, and can make your beautiful aquarium look like it belongs in a horror movie.

It thrives in tanks where there is too much light, poor water circulation, or fluctuating CO2 levels. Overfeeding your fish? Boom—excess nutrients for the algae to gobble up. Neglecting those water changes? You are practically rolling out the red carpet for this stuff. Once it gets in, it digs in its heels and stays for the long haul, unless you do something about it.

How Do I Prevent Black Beard Algae?

Now, I always say prevention is better than the cure, especially when it comes to algae. Here are some things you can do to keep Black Beard Algae from making itself at home in your aquarium.

1. Keep an Eye on the Lights

Too much light in your tank is like throwing a party and inviting all the wrong guests. Algae love light, so if you have got your tank lit up like a Christmas tree for 12 hours a day, you are asking for trouble. Try to stick to around 8-10 hours of light each day, depending on what you have in your tank. If you are already battling an algae problem, you might want to dial it back a bit more.

2. Watch Those Water Parameters

Good water quality is key to a happy tank. And that means keeping an eye on the pH, ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates. You do not want to give algae any more reasons to hang around. Regular testing is your best friend here. If things get out of whack, fix them before the algae start to throw a party.

Get yourself a good test kit here.

Need to know more about keeping your water parameters in check? Check out my guide on testing aquarium water parameters.

3. Stick to a Routine

Consistency is the name of the game. Doing regular water changes (like 20-30% every week) keeps those nutrients in check and removes the algae’s food supply. And while you are at it, clean your filters and remove any gunk building up in the tank. It is not glamorous, but it works.

Need more tips on this? Here is how to maintain a clean aquarium like a pro.

4. Get Some Help from Your Tankmates

If you want to keep things natural, you can introduce some algae-eating species into your tank. These little guys will munch away at the algae and help keep it under control. Siamese Algae Eaters, Amano Shrimp, and Nerite Snails are all solid choices.

Check out these algae eaters:

• Siamese Algae Eater
• Neocaridina Shrimp
• Nerite Snails

How Do I Remove Black Beard Algae?

So… prevention didn’t work, or maybe you are just reading this after the fact. No worries, I have got your back. There are five methods here, and with a little patience and elbow grease, you can kick Black Beard Algae to the curb.

1. Scrub-a-Dub-Dub: Manual Removal

Let’s start with the basics. Sometimes, you just have to roll up your sleeves and get in there. Manual removal is where you grab a toothbrush, tweezers, or whatever you have on hand and start scrubbing. Focus on the hard surfaces like rocks and decorations. Be gentle with your plants, though—no need to tear them up along with the algae.

Steps:

• Turn off your filters and pumps to keep the debris from flying around.
• Scrub those affected areas until you have gotten as much off as you can.
• Use tweezers for the tight spots and to pull out algae clinging to plants.
• Siphon out the loose algae so it does not settle somewhere else.
• Repeat as needed—sometimes the algae need a little more convincing.

*Heads up*: This is not a one-and-done deal. You will probably need to do this more than once, but it is a good start.

2. Chemical Warfare: Using Seachem Flourish Excel

If manual removal is not cutting it, or you want to hit the algae where it hurts, you can go the chemical route. Seachem Flourish Excel is a popular choice. It is a liquid carbon supplement that, when dosed correctly, can help kill off Black Beard Algae.

Steps:

• Follow the dosing instructions carefully (usually 2 ml for every 10 gallons of water daily).
• For stubborn patches, use a syringe to apply the product directly to the algae.
• Turn off your filters while you do this to keep the product from dispersing too quickly.
• Watch the algae—it should start to fade and die off within a week.
• Do a water change afterward to get rid of any dead algae and excess chemicals.

Get Seachem Flourish Excel here

*Heads up*: Be careful with this stuff. It can also harm your plants and fish if you overdo it.

3. Let Nature Do the Work: Algae-Eating Species

Sometimes, the best way to fight algae is to let Mother Nature handle it. Introducing algae-eating species into your tank can help keep the problem in check, and it is a more natural approach if you are not into using chemicals.

Best Algae-Eaters:

• Siamese Algae Eater: Loves Black Beard Algae and will munch away at it. Keep them in groups for best results.
• Amano Shrimp: These little guys are hard workers and will graze on algae all day long.
• Nerite Snails: They will eat the algae off hard surfaces, and they cannot breed in freshwater, so no worries about overpopulation.

*Heads up*: Make sure your tank is a good fit for these species before you bring them home. You want them to thrive, not just survive.

4. Pump Up the CO2: CO2 Injection or Enhancement

If you have a planted tank, inconsistent or low CO2 levels can invite algae to the party. Upping your CO2 game can help your plants outcompete the algae for nutrients, making it harder for the algae to stick around.

Steps:

• Install a CO2 injection system if you do not already have one. It is an investment, but it can make a big difference.
• Aim for CO2 levels around 20-30 ppm and use a CO2 drop checker to keep tabs on it.
• Keep your plants trimmed and healthy so they can grow strong and fend off algae naturally.

*Heads up*: Too much CO2 can be bad for your fish, so do not go overboard.

5. Lighten Up: Adjusting Light and Nutrient Levels

Sometimes, all you need is to tweak your lighting and nutrient levels. Algae thrive when things are out of balance, so bringing everything back in line can help starve them out.

Steps:

• Cut back on your lighting to about 8 hours a day if you are running it longer. If possible, dim the lights a bit.
• You can even try a siesta period—turning off the lights for a few hours in the middle of the day can disrupt the algae’s growth.
• Make sure you are doing regular water changes to keep excess nutrients like nitrates and phosphates from building up.
• If you are dosing fertilizers, make sure you are not overdoing it. Balanced nutrients are key.

*Heads up*: Changes like these take time, so be patient. You might not see results right away, but hang in there.

Final Thoughts

Black Beard Algae might be a pain in the neck, but it is not unbeatable. Whether you are scrubbing it off, dosing it with chemicals, letting your algae-eaters go to town, tweaking your CO2, or adjusting your lights, there are plenty of ways to tackle it. Keep at it, and soon enough, you will have your tank looking spick and span again.

And hey, if you have got any tips or tricks of your own, do not keep them to yourself! Share them in the comments below—I would love to hear how you beat the beard. And if this guide helped you out, give it a share with your fellow aquarists. Let’s spread the word and help everyone keep their tanks in tip-top shape.