Hair algae problem...
 

Phil Williamson wrote:
I have an average densely planted tank (15 gallon high tank) with 4 x 10
watt power compact spiral fluorescents bulbs over it running 12 hours per
day on a timer. The tank has a good depth substrate consisting of 100%
flourite and runs a yeast style co2 generator with bubble counter. I've
found me plants are really taking off and I am happy with their growth and
appearance, HOWEVER, I've noticed a black hair algae slowly creeping it's
way onto the leaves and spoiling the appearance of some of my plants. I've
also noticed a much smaller green hair algae that covers the glass each week
that I manually remove with a magnetic glass scraper. How do I combat this
nuisance? I have 2 black mollies and a yoyo loach that seem to nibble on
the stuff occasionally but it doesn't seem to be nearly enough..

Please help,

Phil..


I've got an SAE and 3 otocinclus in my 15 gallon high. SAE are great
for hair algae, and otos will eat a lot of the short, greeen fuzz algae.
I still get a touch of spot algae on the glass, but plants are algae free.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

I've got an SAE and 3 otocinclus in my 15 gallon high. SAE are great
for hair algae, and otos will eat a lot of the short, greeen fuzz algae.
I still get a touch of spot algae on the glass, but plants are algae
free.


I wish I could get my Pleco to eat the stuff. I have this dark green hair
algae all over my 50 gallon tank, growing off of the glass and on the
ornaments.

Hi Elaine,

To my rescue again! The tank is up and running beautifully but I'm
struggling with the hair algae (both green and black). I have 3 Otto's, a
yoyo loach, and two black molly's (I've read they nibble at the stuff too).
Do you think I should shorten the light period?

Phil..

I've got an SAE and 3 otocinclus in my 15 gallon high. SAE are great
for hair algae, and otos will eat a lot of the short, greeen fuzz algae.
I still get a touch of spot algae on the glass, but plants are algae
free.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Phil Williamson wrote:
Hi Elaine,

To my rescue again! The tank is up and running beautifully but I'm
struggling with the hair algae (both green and black). I have 3 Otto's, a
yoyo loach, and two black molly's (I've read they nibble at the stuff too).
Do you think I should shorten the light period?

Phil..


I always run my planted tanks with a 12 hour photoperiod, on timers.
IME, the only reliable way to get rid of BBA is to toss a siamese algae
eater in the tank. Maybe someone else here has another way, but it has
always seemed to me that BBA likes all the same conditions as plants.

I get green hair, cyanobacter, and stalled plant growth when nitrates
are low and phosphates and trace elements are adequate. Anyone else
notice this?

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Elaine T wrote:
Phil Williamson wrote:

Hi Elaine,

To my rescue again! The tank is up and running beautifully but I'm
struggling with the hair algae (both green and black). I have 3
Otto's, a
yoyo loach, and two black molly's (I've read they nibble at the stuff
too).
Do you think I should shorten the light period?

Phil..


I always run my planted tanks with a 12 hour photoperiod, on timers.
IME, the only reliable way to get rid of BBA is to toss a siamese algae
eater in the tank. Maybe someone else here has another way, but it has
always seemed to me that BBA likes all the same conditions as plants.

I get green hair, cyanobacter, and stalled plant growth when nitrates
are low and phosphates and trace elements are adequate. Anyone else
notice this?

I dont think you'll get rid of hair algae by shortening the photoperiod
as it is high phosphate and nitrate issue most likely. When nitrates are
low you are getting stalled growth because the plants have most likely
used up all the nitrate. Depends on the setup, type of plants you have etc.

IMO the best tool for dealing with hair algae is the amano or yamato
shrimp, these creatures are amazing and really keep the tank spotless, I
have serveral in my tank and wouldn't consider setting up a tank without
them, you may find your clown loach may treat them as a tasty morsel and
you might not be able to keep them for long! I would err on the side of
caution with SAEs I have never found them to be that effective, as they
get older their effectiveness descreases and they can become
territorial. Flying foxes are great for dealing with hair algae but can
grow too large. Ottos I've found aren't much use for hair algae as far
as I can tell but I always keep them because they're such great fish.