the title says it all, I've got nasty black hair algae all over my tank, what do you guys do to get rid of it? any ideas?
Thanks,
--Mike
Thanks,
--Mike
How to kill Black Hair algae
- Thread starter Tucc185
- Start date
Hiya Tucc185, Welcome to MFK. I can't help with this one, I have never had it show up in a tank I was running.
Keep changing water every couple of days and at the same time pull out as much of it as you can. Then lower your photo period to about 6 hours. You might also want to stagger it like 3 hours in the morning and then off it in the afternoon and then 3 hours again in the evening. Get SAEs to eat them up provided other fish are compatible with it. Increased Co2 levels and some fast growing plants might also help to out compete the algae. Black hair algae will not go away overnight.... most of the measures stated here will only impede the algaes growth but not remove it, hence removing it mechanically is the best method together with balancing your nutrients in the tank.
Uv filter will only kill the algae spores and free floating algae leh... wont kill those that stuck all over the tank already. Thats why for BBA its better to tear the whole tank down then wash it up properly.
CHANGE YOUR LIGHT BULB.
It is your spectrum of light, combined with poor water quality (high nitrates).. I have seen this a million times.. Don't use any light while trying to combat the situation, and do shorter durations of lighting once the algae is gone.
It is your spectrum of light, combined with poor water quality (high nitrates).. I have seen this a million times.. Don't use any light while trying to combat the situation, and do shorter durations of lighting once the algae is gone.
Howdy,
sohfatfish's advice help against green algae, but are less effective against your problem. Miles is right: The algae you have result from poor lighting. Get new bulbs!!!
My advice is to actually increase light intensity, i.e. get maybe an additional light strip. Also, don't mess with your lighting time. That will only do the trick for green algae. To immediately get rid of all algae (basically, to start from scratch with a clean tank) cover your tank with a blanket and leave it dark for three days. Completely. Your fish will be fine. Any plants that you have will be fine. Algae, however, do not have any energy storage and will die if they cannot do photosynthesis. After three days remove the algae mechanically. Although dead, they may still be firmly attached to surfaces. Remember to put an aerator in the tank while dark.
HarleyK
sohfatfish's advice help against green algae, but are less effective against your problem. Miles is right: The algae you have result from poor lighting. Get new bulbs!!!
My advice is to actually increase light intensity, i.e. get maybe an additional light strip. Also, don't mess with your lighting time. That will only do the trick for green algae. To immediately get rid of all algae (basically, to start from scratch with a clean tank) cover your tank with a blanket and leave it dark for three days. Completely. Your fish will be fine. Any plants that you have will be fine. Algae, however, do not have any energy storage and will die if they cannot do photosynthesis. After three days remove the algae mechanically. Although dead, they may still be firmly attached to surfaces. Remember to put an aerator in the tank while dark.
HarleyK
I would like to add that old light bulbs (like over a year old) often times will cause undesirable algae growth. So does the wrong kind of lights like cool whites for example. Sun light can cause algae problems.
As mentioned before me, water quality is often a part of the problem as well.
All algae needs is fertilizer and light. FIsh are fertilizer gererators, water changes will help dilute these "fertilizers" out of the water. (probibably nitrates and phosphates)
Check the age and type of bulbs you have and replace accordingly. Test your water and perform water changes accordingly at a rate of about 25% to no more than 50%.
Let us know how it turns out...Joel
As mentioned before me, water quality is often a part of the problem as well.
All algae needs is fertilizer and light. FIsh are fertilizer gererators, water changes will help dilute these "fertilizers" out of the water. (probibably nitrates and phosphates)
Check the age and type of bulbs you have and replace accordingly. Test your water and perform water changes accordingly at a rate of about 25% to no more than 50%.
Let us know how it turns out...Joel
