Hair/beard Algae Outbreak

[adriansp]

I am in the later stages of cycling a new tank and have started to experience an outbreak of hair/beard algae on numerous plants, which is spreading rapidly. Would appreciate any advice on stemming the spread and how to eradicate existing algae.

The tank is 120 x 70 x 50, heavily planted with around 130 mixed plants two weeks age, co2 injection, ph 6.5, hardness around 6, minimal ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Population 12 Black Phantom Tetras in for last two weeks and two brittleness and three cores in for 5 days.

I am planning a 25% water change tomorrow. All advice appreciated.

 

[KimA]

I've used Interpet Anti Hair Algae treatment before (dosing the tank once a week for 4 weeks, then once a month thereafter)...seems to have done the trick.

 

[Boxermom]

I'd recommend figuring out what's wrong with the balance before adding chemicals. But then that's just me. I object to adding any chemicals that aren't absolutely necessary. All it does is mask the real problem. I suggest going to aquariaplantsdotcom and reading up on Steve Hampton's algae page. Great info there on how to deal with algae.

 

[millym]

hi
we had a similar problem about a year ago horrible black stuff growing on everything!! if you do a search on this forum you'll find loads of posts.
we basically cut down feeding, added phosphate remover to our filter ( excess phosphate prime cause of algae outbreaks)- we used rowaphos.
we also added a lighting break to our lights ie: on from 8-12 off till 1400 back on till about 2000 using a light timer switch.
i also removed all plant leaves infested & took out all our rocks & scrubbed them. it took a little while but within 3 weeks we saw a definite improvement & have not had any problems since. we just get very small amounts green algae on our rocks now & then which keeps our ottos occupied & well fed. i dont know which method did the job or a combination of all 3 but we stick with it now. i use flourish excel as plant fertilizer trying to avoid fertilizers with phosphate in them.

i wouldnt use chemicals if you dont have to as said its not addressing the cause of the outbreak & the chances are it will just come back when the chemical effects wear off. we also couldnt use most algae removers as we have amano shrimps in our tank & most arent safe or dont have any info on safetly with shrimps.
good luck