Help with green hair algae

[Jintoh50]

I'm assuming that's what it is (pics attached, new to planted tanks). More of a nutrient question but taking suggestions on removal. I've got the lights off (on for pic only) 24hrs now, did water changes. I tried to physically remove some yesterday but I think that was a mistake as now I've got it in a new place where there was none.

I've been dosing the recommended %'s of nutrients (pics).

Do I keep dosing as usual for the other plants and keep the lights off or stop dosing as well? Does algae fix work? I've read mixed reviews and am hesitant to add anything that kills.

 

[fisheatfish]

Total blackout for a week will eliminate the problem but to fix it, you have to dial in on the lighting (timing)…this is the safest method. Where’s the joy in that right? For me, I’ve used hydrogen peroxide. It will effect the water parameters if used in excess in smaller tanks but in bigger tanks, I use a dropper and squirt it right onto the affected areas. I prefer to remove the plants, rocks or driftwood and spray them out of water. You can do a big water change and spray the affected areas before refilling.

 

[RyanScanner]

Total blackout for a week will eliminate the problem but to fix it, you have to dial in on the lighting (timing)…this is the safest method. Where’s the joy in that right? For me, I’ve used hydrogen peroxide. It will effect the water parameters if used in excess in smaller tanks but in bigger tanks, I use a dropper and squirt it right onto the affected areas. I prefer to remove the plants, rocks or driftwood and spray them out of water. You can do a big water change and spray the affected areas before refilling.

^^I was going to say this, also try phosphate pads can help remove one element that shouldn’t affect other plants. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide on delicate plants like mosses or Monte Carlo.
It will go away on its own over time as your plants catch up and outcompete it. Snails can help as shrimp may get eaten by your betta, unless you can find some nice big amano shrimp.

 

[RyanScanner]

Reduce light to no more than 8 hours. The rooms ambient light can also be used by algae too.

 

[Jintoh50]

Thanks for the replies all. It has gotten better with less light (timing) and me manually removing it with my planting tweezers. I did briefly try algefix, put two drops in and started freaking out it'd kill everything including my fish LOL, so I did a big water change (this was a few weeks ago); all is well.

 

[RyanScanner]

Wow that looks great! Very healthy looking plants mate.

 

[Jintoh50]

Thank you! This is my favorite tank. It has been a battle with my family to keep the shades down when the sun is up for the first hr or two . I've gotten two more set up since. Lower light (out of the box lights, not for plants) and so far no algae and the plants look good.

 

[Jintoh50]

And yes, big time popeye on the beta (rescue from work, I work at Petsmart) . It is actually finally going down some. Did the whole salt bath/melefix (sp) treatment.

 

[AquaAura]

Hey, I’ve been dealing with green hair algae too! You might also want to check out a low taper haircut for a fresh, easy-to-manage style.