Why do i get green hair on my plastic plants

[bikerchic]

I decided to buy plastic plants but after a month green hair started to form of them, does anyone know wot this is? it even grows on the rocks, by the way im new to all this

 

[ruffmeister]

its algea

 

[gto_cowgirl]

I believe its called hair algae. I had that same problem a while back in my 29 gallon. I believe it develops when you leave your light on for to long and/or your light is to bright for your tank.

Once i changed my light to a lower light and for a week i had the light on only a couple of a hours a day then it slowly died and vanished.

You shouldn't be keeping your light on more than 12 hours a day. So you might want to try turning it off a little bit more for a week or so and pulling out the hair algae as much as possible then it will probably just die after a while.

Also, i read algae develops when there is a lot of wastes in the tank to feed the algae. So if you give your tank a few more extra water changes with the lights on only a couple hours a day for a week then you should be good.

 

[noelberg]

Oto's, plecos, flying foxes, and sharks love this stuff. Some livebearers will also make a quick snack of it.

 

[gobyfreak]

I've got hair algae too, have you checked your nitrite and phosphate levels? It can be caused by a build up of excess nutrients apparently. Also, have you replaced your bulb recently? It could be on for a while but not giving the right output; too little light can also be a problem. They only have a life of approximately 12 months and some even recommend changing them every 6 months. I have been using ferrotabs (fertiliser) as my live plants are covered in the algae and this has been very good at stimulating new growth, maybe the new growth will outcompete the algae!!! There is another option, I haven't tried it yet but apparently hornwort works against the algae as it releases some chemical to destroy or reduce its growth. It's such a fine balance and it could be any number of things causing the hair algae. I did consider buying some amano or japonica shrimp but I was advised they would only eat a small amount so the store sold me Interpets Algae Control (Anti-Hair Algae) Treatment to try.

 

[Aquagurl]

I decided to buy plastic plants but after a month green hair started to form of them, does anyone know wot this is? it even grows on the rocks, by the way im new to all this

hi i had algae too! i used to clean my tank evry month and even bought a magnetic brush for the walls!! once i bought catfishes and some hungry platies they ate everything. don't see it anymore!!!!!!!!!!