Fast Growing Plants

[@ombomb]

I have been battling against hair algae for the best part of a fortnight now. I've been removing it every two days and doing frequent water changes to try and beat it. I don't think a three day black out would be good for the other plants, so was hoping to add some really fast growing plants to out compete the algae.

Recommendations please!

Thanks in advance.

 

[George Farmer]

Extract from pinned algae article -

Examples of Algae-Busting Plants –

Hygrophila species
Ludwigia species
Rotala species
Egeria species
Brazilian Water Ivy
Small Ambulia
Mexican Oak Leaf
Water Sprite
Hornwort
Floating plants (careful they don’t block too much light)

 

[Snowman]

I use the water sprite as it grows very quick with good light levels and doesn't mind having the hair algae coated bits trimmed off.
I found i had black hair algae from excess phospahtes and used JBL phos-ex to get the levels down, Flourish Excel double dosed for a week will give the hair algae a shock and allow the plants to grow to out compete the hair algae for nutrients, i found CO2 helped the plants outgrow the hair algae as well.
Bi-daily water changes also gives the plants a chance to get to the point where the hair algae is starved of nutrients.
HTH

 

[pseud]

I just set my tank up and would like to recommend the following plants:

Hygrophila Polysperma
Hygrophila Difformis

I just increased my CO2 and those two plants overnight have grown quite considerably. Definitely try them.

 

[Dubby]

Definitely go for Hornwort & Egeria which give off chemicals that inhibit algae.

 

[@ombomb]

Definitely go for Hornwort & Egeria which give off chemicals that inhibit algae.

Winner!

I have a couple of Hygros at the moment, but not much so I may add a couple more. I have upped my CO2 input as well as I think this may have been the root of the problem. I went away for a week and when I got back the DIY CO2 was completely dead, coupled with the fact that my sister had been coming round to feed the fish and had been over doing it slightly. Also I've been rather brutal with my Amazon Frogbit which was threatening to block out all light to the rest of the tank.

Do UK shops sell Macaryn? I understand that helps control it as well.

 

[George Farmer]

Do UK shops sell Macaryn? I understand that helps control it as well.

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Maracyn is an antibiotic used to control BGA (not actually algae). I doubt it will help control hair algae. It is generally only available on prescription in the UK - or through internet mail order.

ALL plants produce chemicals that fend off algae - these are called alleochemicals and the process is alleopathy. Please read the pinned algae article - it shoud answer most questions regarding algae in the planted tank.

 

[STEVIE]

It's easy peasy to have a tank full of really slow growing plants algae free.
The answer is getting the right fish.The best fish of all is the siamese flying fox.Eats all algae including that horrible grey tufty stuff and will happy munch up all your hair algae.
Don't get this fish confused to it's similiar looking cousin,the flying fox,which is a selective algae eater and chases other fish.