Beard algae

[Strider199]

As I was looking into my 55 gallon community tank tonight I noticed a weird growth in my java moss. Upon closer observation it is what I think looks like beard algae. It's dark, prickly looking and about 2 inches long and 3/8" around.
I was thinking of cutting it out of the java moss because I read that beard algae has spores which when disturbed, will spread throughout the tank.
Am I going about this the right way?

Open for suggestions at this moment.

[smaug]

Got pictures?

[Strider199]

I was actually looking for my camera but my daughter took it with her tonight. I will get a picture up as soon as I can get one.
I've never seen such a plant before. It's ugly.

[SamandAnne]

If it is beard algae (depending on the photos), yes, it would be helpful to get it out of the tank manually. If you have moss to spare, I would break off the piece of moss that the beard algae is attached to and throw it all away (algae and the piece of moss its attached to), to try and get the whole piece of algae and not leave some behind still attached. (Not the whole moss, just that strand).

It is very hard to control once it gets going! Also, you can fill an eyedropper with a dose of Flourish Excel and squirt the Excel directly on the moss where the algae was to help prevent it from coming back. (Others have done a higher dose, but when I did that I lost amano shrimp. I recently just used a full regular dose -- and not a higher dose -- with some beard algae on Anubias and it got rid of it). :) This is one of those things that is better to catch it early, when it's manageable, because it's hard to deal with once it really gets going. Good luck!

[Strider199]

Ok I managed to get the camera back and took this picture of what I think maybe beard algae.
I agree SamandAnne, it's better to nip it in the butt ASAP and I dont mind losing some java moss.
It grow like crazy.

[SamandAnne]

Hi...I would guess from the photo it's time to cut that section out and throw it away. If you have Flourish Excel, go ahead and squirt a full dose through an eyedropper at that area. If not, it may be ok if you cut it all out anyway. Then just keep an eye out on that area (and any other smooth surfaces like wood, equipment, or broadleaf plants) for it coming back, and keep removing. If you have moss to spare, be generous in the area you cut out just to be sure. It can be challenging once it spreads!