Hair Algae

[MHunt]

Right from not being able to get plants to grow without a half decent light, to having a nice bright tank, flourishing plants, and hair algae!!!!!



What does anyone suggest for getting rid of this. There are algae removal additives out there, but i would like to try something a little less chemical to start with.

 

[molson78]

Right from not being able to get plants to grow without a half decent light, to having a nice bright tank, flourishing plants, and hair algae!!!!!



What does anyone suggest for getting rid of this. There are algae removal additives out there, but i would like to try something a little less chemical to start with.

Rosy barbs do wonders for hair algae.

 

[MHunt]

I haven't really got the space or the desire to add more fish to my current setup. Anything else i can try. Perhaps a couple of days with the lights off? Or set my co2 going again?

 

[WILDER]

Might be some info here, though it will take you 3 hours to read it all.
http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/algcont.shtml

 

[themissingelf]

Need to know more about your set up...

"Bright light" and no CO2 is a recipe for algae...

I'm currently suffering from hair algae too. It's been ever present since I first set up the tank but increased recently following a change to my CO2 cylinder and stopping dosing Seachem Flourish. My CO2 dosing level dropped without me realising (bad me). Today I've reset the CO2 to slightly higher than my previous CO2 level. Resumed dosing Seachem Flourish Excel, and increased my ferts dosing (I'd previously omitted the first post water change does because of the high levels of Nitrate in my tap water).

 

[deni]

Amano shrimp are great, our lfs actually sells them under the name 'algae-eating shrimp'. They're brilliant algae chompers, don't take up much space and entertaining to watch as well.

 

[MHunt]

Need to know more about your set up...

"Bright light" and no CO2 is a recipe for algae...

I'm currently suffering from hair algae too. It's been ever present since I first set up the tank but increased recently following a change to my CO2 cylinder and stopping dosing Seachem Flourish. My CO2 dosing level dropped without me realising (bad me). Today I've reset the CO2 to slightly higher than my previous CO2 level. Resumed dosing Seachem Flourish Excel, and increased my ferts dosing (I'd previously omitted the first post water change does because of the high levels of Nitrate in my tap water).

Well i have had a home made co2 bottle going, but the silicone seal went on the cap so the pressure just wasn't there to keep the co2 pumping into the tank. Plus the faf on with mixing the yeast every couple of weeks meant i gave up in the end. I will try to get it going again and see what happens. I did think about shrimps too, they add interest, and don't add much bio load, but i want to be sure they'll eat the algae! There is a lot!



Like the avatar pic wilder, very festive!!

 

[Majjie]

It took my Amano shrimps (I've got six) a few weeks to get my hair algae under control - and I had to help by pulling off the biggest bits - but it has never re-appeared since

 

[MHunt]

It took my Amano shrimps (I've got six) a few weeks to get my hair algae under control - and I had to help by pulling off the biggest bits - but it has never re-appeared since

How big's the tank with your amano shrimp in. The name is Tropicana (Sorry tropicquarium, tropicana's an orange juice isn't it!) 68, does that mean 68 litres or gallons?

 

[Majjie]

How big's the tank with your amano shrimp in. The name is Tropicana (Sorry tropicquarium, tropicana's an orange juice isn't it!) 68, does that mean 68 litres or gallons?

Neither actually - I think it stands for 68 cm long - the tank is actually 72 litres/19 US gal
(and yes Tropicana is an orange juice )