hair algae?
- Thread starter danjo
- Start date
Okay okay okay,
before we jump to conclusions, we need to truely find out what algae it is and why it is there. UV sterilizers do not kill attached algae. If anything, they may help to slow down a spread. The algae-eating fish option is good, but they all have their favorite food. To be honest, it does not sound like you have hair algae. Hair algae forms long "hairy" threads (several inches long), is bright green. The easiest way to remove it is rolling it around a wooden stick and pulling it off. Hair algae per se are indicators of very good water quality, and you can only fight them mechanically or with fish. Other algae are indicators of excess nutrients. What are our nitrate and phosphte levels? Pics of the algae?
HarleyK
before we jump to conclusions, we need to truely find out what algae it is and why it is there. UV sterilizers do not kill attached algae. If anything, they may help to slow down a spread. The algae-eating fish option is good, but they all have their favorite food. To be honest, it does not sound like you have hair algae. Hair algae forms long "hairy" threads (several inches long), is bright green. The easiest way to remove it is rolling it around a wooden stick and pulling it off. Hair algae per se are indicators of very good water quality, and you can only fight them mechanically or with fish. Other algae are indicators of excess nutrients. What are our nitrate and phosphte levels? Pics of the algae?
HarleyK
The original poster hasn't answered, so I'll give you my situation.
I have long threads of hairlike algae, and it's brown. My ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are all at 0ppm. I don't have a test for phosphates. My pH is 6.0.
I've got two flying foxes and one of those golden algae eaters. They don't seem to care for it. Besides mechanically removing it myself (I'd rather not), what are my options?
I have long threads of hairlike algae, and it's brown. My ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are all at 0ppm. I don't have a test for phosphates. My pH is 6.0.
I've got two flying foxes and one of those golden algae eaters. They don't seem to care for it. Besides mechanically removing it myself (I'd rather not), what are my options?
im having the same struggle in my planted tank, although mine is bright green...
ive heard that amano shrimp are pretty much the only thing that will eat the hair algae, only problem is they are expensive to get...
ive heard that amano shrimp are pretty much the only thing that will eat the hair algae, only problem is they are expensive to get...
Howdy,
HarleyK
sounds like you have brown bearded algae. I have had Ancistrus dolichopterus eat them when I starved them. When was the last time you changed your fluorescent light bulb, and what wattage do you use per gallon? This kind of algae is mostly due to insufficient/inferior lightingjeffthefish;523792; said:
How long are they? Hair algae grows several inches, and the only fish I can personally recommend against hair algae are Garra sp. You were also right with shrimp. If it is "just" green algae, try Ancistrus or Otocinclus, they are great! Also, you may want to reduce lighting intensity for a few hours during the day and/or reduce ferts if you use any.RowingMunkeyCU;523796; said:
HarleyK