Is this black brush (beard) algae?

[GazerOfStars]

Today when I was doing a water change I noticed that some black fuzzy growth was on my drift wood. I lifted the driftwood out of the tank and couldn't remove it with my finger (couldn't even feel it, or really see it when it was out of the water.) I did a little research and my best guess would be black brush (beard) algae.

Any other opinions on what this might be? Could this be harmful for my tank?

Picture below.

 

[Jennewt]

I can't really see much in the photo. I would recommend going to google images and searching for "black brush algae" and comparing your stuff to the photos. If it is, don't worry, it's harmless.

 

[MereB]

Yep that's the stuff :happy: I know it as beard algae but black brush works too. It's a pain in the backside especially if it spreads to your live plants.

Run the algae covered area of the drift wood under boiling water, usually kills it off for me it can take a couple of treatments to get rid of it all sometimes though. Careful not to get your live plants with the water though they wont like being boiled any more than the algae does

You can scrape it off with a butter knife if you have the time and patience for the task but as you've seen it can be very hard to see on driftwood once it's out of the water.

Mere.

 

[GazerOfStars]

It does seem to be spreading :X But you know ultimately If it doesnt harm Axolotls I can worry about removing it as an eye sore at my leisure.

But....does this mean my tank is cycled?