What Is This And How Do I Get Rid Of It?

[AndreaP1986]

Hi,
 
The other day I noticed that everything in my tank appeared to be covered with little black hairs.
I was just wondering what is it, why has it happened and how do I get rid of them?
I have had my tank for about 5 months and haven't added any new fish or objects lately so am a little confused as to why this has happened.
Pictures to come later.
 
Thanks,
Andrea.

 

[leighton_87]

Probably black hair algae - im in my phone now so can't find links but a google search should help you find a treatment

 

[Ps3Steveo]

It appears if you do water changes with lights on as it causes a huge fluctuation on CO2 as tap water has loads dissolved in it, spray it with a mix of excel/water in spray bottle 1:20 ratio while it is exposed to air (drop water level). Give it 2 mins then refill tank and it will turn red a slowly vanish. After do water changes after lights out or at least 3 hours before lights on.

 

[Chad]

Well that's incredibly interesting.

 

[mishmash]

A lot of planted people believe that the water change thing is a myth, but then they have a LOT of live plants in their tanks to utilise the higher CO2 concentration in their water.  Having said that before I had a planted tank I still never had BHA and it makes sense to do a water change with the lights on because you can see what you are doing.
 
If you subscribe to the notion of excess CO2 in your water change causing this there is an easy way round it.  Draw the water off into jerry can(s) the day before.  This has more than one advantage.  You can let the temperature equalise to closer to room temp, the excess CO2 will dissipate, and so too will chlorine in the water.  

 

[AndreaP1986]

Here are pictures of my tank and the hair -
http/s1325.beta.photobucket.com/user/AProut/media/rock_zpsc0208974.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2#/user/AProut/media/plant_zpsa41af1d3.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1&_suid=136119019881407817328943000261
http/s1325.beta.photobucket.com/user/AProut/media/rock_zpsc0208974.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2#/user/AProut/media/rock_zpsc0208974.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0&_suid=136119021724902876166685108204