🖤 Black Beard Algae (BBA)

Black Beard Algae (Audouinella or Compsopogon), commonly called BBA, is one of the most stubborn algae problems in planted freshwater aquariums. This red algae (despite its dark color) forms tough, brush-like tufts that are difficult to remove and few animals will eat.

📋 Quick Facts

🔍 Identification

• Color - Dark gray to black (sometimes dark green)
• Texture - Fuzzy, brush-like tufts
• Location - Leaf edges, driftwood, filter outputs
• Growth pattern - Starts small, spreads gradually
• Tough attachment - Difficult to remove
• Prefers high flow - Often near filter returns

⚠️ Common Causes

• Fluctuating CO2 - The #1 cause in planted tanks
• Low CO2 - Insufficient for plant growth
• Inconsistent CO2 - Varying throughout day
• High organic waste - Dirty substrate, overfeeding
• Low plant mass - Not enough competition
• Poor flow - Dead spots accumulate nutrients

💊 Treatment Options

1. Stabilize CO2 (Most Important)

• Maintain consistent CO2 levels (30ppm target)
• Use drop checker to monitor
• Start CO2 1-2 hours before lights on
• Ensure even distribution throughout tank
• Fix any leaks or inconsistencies

2. Seachem Flourish Excel/Liquid Carbon

• Daily dosing helps prevent and control BBA
• Spot treatment: Apply directly with syringe or pipette
• Turn off filter, apply Excel to BBA, wait 5 minutes
• BBA turns red/pink when dying
• Overdosing can harm sensitive plants (vals, moss)

3. Hydrogen Peroxide Spot Treatment

• 3% H2O2 applied directly to BBA
• Turn off filter, use syringe to apply
• 1-2ml per gallon is safe for tank
• Very effective for spot treatment
• BBA turns red/white when killed

4. Siamese Algae Eaters

• True SAEs (Crossocheilus oblongus) eat BBA
• Most effective when young and hungry
• May become lazy with age or if overfed
• Need groups of 3+
• Grow large (6 inches) - need big tank

5. Amano Shrimp

• Will eat softened/dying BBA
• Won't eat healthy, tough BBA
• Good cleanup crew after treatment
• Add many (1 per 2-3 gallons)

6. Manual Removal

• Remove affected leaves entirely
• Scrub hard surfaces with toothbrush
• Soak decorations in diluted bleach (then dechlorinate)
• Best combined with other treatments

7. Blackout

• 3-4 day complete darkness
• Harms BBA but also stresses plants
• Not as effective as CO2 correction
• Use as supplement, not primary treatment

⏱️ Treatment Timeline

🛡️ Prevention

• Stable CO2 - Most important factor
• Healthy plant mass - Outcompete algae for nutrients
• Good maintenance - Regular water changes, gravel vacuuming
• Don't overfeed - Reduces organic waste
• Good flow - Eliminate dead spots
• Quarantine plants - Inspect new additions

❌ Common Mistakes

• Ignoring CO2 issues (the root cause)
• Only treating symptoms without fixing cause
• Getting fake "SAEs" (flying fox, Chinese algae eater)
• Overdosing Excel on sensitive plants
• Giving up too soon (takes weeks to control)

📚 Summary

Black Beard Algae is stubborn but controllable. The key insight is that BBA almost always indicates CO2 problems - either too low or fluctuating. Stabilizing CO2 is the most important step. Combine this with Seachem Excel or hydrogen peroxide spot treatments, and add Siamese Algae Eaters for ongoing control. BBA rarely goes away overnight, but with consistent effort over 4-8 weeks, it can be eliminated and prevented from returning.