Hi:

I'm fed up with my Black Beard Algae. We've had it for the last several
years, but never had it before that. Obviously it came in on some plants or
fish. I've tried all the usual things like SAEs etc. and water control, but
nothing gets rid of it.

Recently I just setup a new 100G tank with brand new gravel and new water.
There was no phosphate in the water at all. Yet the BBA on the plants which
were put in the tank still grew. From what else I read, and from my
experience, any water that will grow plants will grow BBA. You cannot get
rid of it with water control.

So, I have come to the decision that killing it all in the entire tank
system is the only real solution. From what I read either Chlorine or
Copper will do it. Chlorine seems to work much faster. What I plan to do
is:

- Remove all the fish from the tank
- Poor in 5G of Chlorox Bleach (1/20).
- Mix it up and let it circulate in the tank for 5 minutes.
- Drain the tank, refill with water, drain tank, and refill again.
- Put in anti-Chlorine.
- Put fish back in.

I know it will kill my bio in the filters, but that is easy to regrow. I
may loose some of the plants, but I don't care if the BBA is gone forever.
After that I will rinse all plants in Chlorine before putting anything new
in.

Any other suggestions or advice?

Thanks, Chris.