How to get rid of hair alagae

[Cullen aquanaut]

I've got an extreme hair alagae problem.
Currently I have to molly's grazing on it with little success.
Ofcourse I have to increase the number of them, but I'm more interested in other people's ways of eliminating it.
So far I've had success with mollies and young firemouths, not sure if the adults will because they didn't make it to adulthood.
I am very interested in other peoples opinions and experiences.
Thank you.

 

[canarsie11]

How long are lights on daily?

You can reach in and take it out

 

[Nospherith]

if it's the kind that forms threads, then just take a q-tip and twirl it around the algae strands. tedious, but it works.

if it's the kind that grows ~1" attatched to leaves, difficult to pull off (staghorn algae is one of that kind), then Siamensis will eat it. A change in tank maintenence / lighting / feeding can actually cause a drop in the nutrients that are supplying this algae, therefore killing it by starvation. I've found the more water changes I do, the less algae there is.

For more info there's a great sticky over in the planted tank forum by gf225. *link*

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

a tooth brush works well, alos to to physically get it off!

 

[yvez9]

I bought a 65 watts PC kit 3 months ago for my 20 gallon tank and the hair algea has been growing like mad ever since. The bulb supplied with the kit is a 50/50 bulb, which is perfct for marine tanks

i tried to add co2, didn't work
i tried to give 2 x 4 hour lighting periods during the day, with a 2 hour break, didn't work

then i read somewhere the blue spectrum of a 50/50 bulb, which is 10,000K and actinic, is not used by plants alot.

So the co2 i was adding wasn't helping the plants but the algea grow since the plants could use almost no nutrients.

I got some american flag fish. they did a good job but the algea was growing faster then they could eat it.

I replaced my bulb with a 6,700K 65 watts and added co2 again. Everyday i found strands of algea on the bottom of the tank. I had to vacuum everyday for about a week because the bottom was covered in dead algea. After 2 weeks now, there is enough algea left to feed the otos and pleco, nothing unsightly!

so i suggest you check the color of your bulb and if it's on the blue side, maybe replace it with a yellow/green bulb

 

[Cullen aquanaut]

Thanks for the replies.
Instead of human intervention, I'm more interested in the type of fish that eat the hair alagae.
Not to say that I'm lazy and don't respect your opinions, but I'd like to see the fish eat it.

In regards to the siamesis, is that the chinese alagae eater your talking about or the fighting fish(beta)?

And the flag fish, I've heard of the name, but can't remember the fish which goes with it.
Is it the neon tetra or what?

If you have scientific names they will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Bloo]

I believe you are looking for "JORDANELLA FLORIDAE"

 

[Nospherith]

Thanks for the replies.
In regards to the siamesis, is that the chinese alagae eater your talking about or the fighting fish(beta)?

Crossocheilus siamensis, 4-5" adult. Commonly called the "Siamese Algae Eater" or SAE. This helpful creature eats most algae present in aquariums. Works well in teams. Difficult to differentiate from the "Flying Fox", which doesn't eat algae but the link I gave should clear that up.

One of my 3 siamensis: photo.

Otocinclus vittatus, 1-1.5". Known for it's fiesty yet friendly behavior, it's best at eating soft algaes and diatom algaes. Needs to be kept in groups.

One of my 7 oto's: photo

The "Chinese Algae Eater" is a terrible fish. I don't know why it's even in the aquarium trade, let alone it's abundance. It's aggresive and shouldn't be kept in the community aquarium and IMO it's just an ugly fish.

 

[Bling]

How can you tell the difference between a young Chinese algae eater and the others? Sorry to be so stupid. I've looked at a lot of pictures, but at the lfs, I'm never sure. I'd hate to get the wrong one and I don't want to go just by what's written on the store's tank.

 

[santos]

I know snails are the enemy (most of the time) but I have recently purchased some Zebra snails (Neritina Natalensis) They have done a great job of eating the hair algae out of my tank and as a bonus they leave the plants alone.

 

[Iron Man]

All of my mollies and swordtails graze on algae that's on the plants and driftwood throughout the day. Its all they do. My apple and trumpet snails get the sand, rocks, driftwood, glass, and plants.....though I get a little nervous when I see the apple snails on the plants. They've been fine though...and much better at getting the hair algae off my sword leaves than the livebearers! I haven't seen my male guppy graze on algae yet though I'm sure he's done it when I'm not around.

 

[Cullen aquanaut]

This is fantastic!!!
I am very pleased with all the responses coming in and encourage more.
All this information is great.
Thank you and keep up the good work.