Is It Hair Algae?

[minikarter]

Hi, It's been a little while since I last posted, I've a 35L Arcadia Arc tank that's been running for several months now, the last couple of months with a beautiful betta and an Otto (there was 3 before.. but 2 died for no apparent reason!).

I have a few plants in there, as I love the look of a lush tank, but after a while they've gotten their leaves covered in kind of hairs.. it's like when you find a yoghurt in the fridge that's gone mouldy, but the plants themselves are still quite green and producing new growth.

Does someone know what I could do to sort it out? I currently just use the standard arcpod with an 11w bulb, a black gravel substrate and occasionally I add a little liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks. Any ideas?

Also while i'm here, are ottos usually quite messy? give it just a few days and the substrate is covered in fish crap! haha .. i'll hopefully get a few pygmy cories at some point instead... they look kinda cute

 

[drobbyb]

Look at this site for info on algae: http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

 

[Gilbertr14]

It's either Staghorn or Hairy Algae.

The Site Drobbyb mentioned is wel worth looking at.

Sitting with the same problem myself

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=289084

 

[waterdrop]

I was told (by truck I think it was) that otos (the tiny little suckers believe it or not...) need a -big- tank. A 35L would be too small. They like to be kept 6 minimum and need that space partly I suppose because they need a lot of their favorite types of algae (which types I don't know!) (Yes, I found this rather surprising and I and others have certainly had smaller numbers live in smaller tanks, but I'm prepared to believe that truck is probably right on this one.)

~~waterdrop~~

 

[minikarter]

Ah thanks for the links! seems like I may need to sort something out to allow more C02 if i'm readin that correctly.. to the planted section!! As for the Ottos, I was reliably informed a small group fo 3 or 4 ottos would be fine for this tank on this very forum, though It's too late now but either way I'll see if I can rehome him in our much larger tank and see if I can get some cories!