Should I get more plants

[Dubby]

I am battling a hair algae problem in my tank and hopefully getting the better of them My existing plants are fighting hard to keep ahead of this.

Would adding new plants help? I am hoping they will be healthier and hence outcompete the algae. Or should I wait to get rid of the rest of the algae?

Decisions, decisions and more decisions ............help!!!

 

[Dubby]

Anyone around who can help me? Moderators? ................

 

[abudakos]

Seems we are experiencing the same problem. In theory, adding new (fast growing) plants is part of the solution. You need to determine what causes the algae growth (excess light, excess nutrients, etc).
I have tried everything to combat it but I had no luck.
Try the following:

reduce the hours the lights are on to 10
add a lot of fast growing plants
reduce fertilizers
reduce feeding
get rid of as much hair algae as possible by pulling it out with your hand
make frequent water changes

Hope this helps.

 

[Dubby]

Thanks Abu. I am doing exactly what you have prescribed (except the new plants). I am also changing the gravel in batches to help get rid of any spores. I have found that using a finer filter material also seems to help.

Rose, Rose ........where are you?

 

[lizard]

I've read that Ghost Shrimp will help take care of hair algae.

Pamela
aka Lizard

 

[Rose]

Ok here's what you can do to help. Read Effective Algae Control. It's a article a good friend of mine wrote. It'll get you headed in the right direction. Once you have read it give me a holler and we can go from there if you wish.

Rose