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Green hair algae should I keep or remove from my established tank.

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Tony blazer

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I have a question I need some help. I have an established tank for over 7 years. I have a large Rock that has the highest elevation from the aquarium Substrate closest to my light source. The long green hair algae is pretty much only on one rock surface.

I kind of like the way it looks at this point it gives it a more natural feel but I don't want it to get out of control. I pretty much do not had any major areas of algae growth anywhere else in the tank. My water parameters are good. I have 9 different variations of plants in the tank. I've never tested my phosphate level in the tank with a home test but I've never been told when I get my water tested at my local fish store that I have an issue with it. My ammonia nitrite and nitrate are all good.

Curious if people like the look or do you guys think that this can cause water quality issues later.
 

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I really don't have algae in any other area only on the Right side of the tank on the highest elevation rocks. I am in process of purchasing it my first LED light which has a moonlight option which I will use the last 4 hours when the lights on. The aquarium light is on from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m now with Window light sources on the right and left but not direct light at all.

The LED light is Koval LED Aquarium Light, 45 - 50 in, 156 LED

Suggestions and input welcomed
 

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As long as its not growing on your plants its not an issue but id keep an eye on it. Any time algae takes hold theres an imbalance somewhere.
 
Sometimes a very small amount,like what you have is no big deal..looks like moss. IF it crosses the line from moss into long threads? Remove asap,make water changes more often. I see you have an Ancistrus? they usually will eat the soft tender moss like algae,but when it gets stringy,they wont touch it. Nothing will eat it,not even snails or largest Plecos.
Once you remove it..then the Pleco's will usually keep it from returning as they graze rocks and wood...if you better conditions. Vacuum the gravel,water changes will do most of the time.
 
utahfish said:
As long as its not growing on your plants its not an issue but id keep an eye on it. Any time algae takes hold theres an imbalance somewhere.
Click to expand...
Like I said this was a established tank for 7 years with only my java fern because it was a African cichlid tank and I kept the water a high pH with salt in it not very good for plants plus my cichlid ripped up most of the plans I had originally. The algae has always been there but I think it's a little more now since I add 8 new species of plants and feeding the plants once a week with flourish. I recently in the last seven weeks added new fish with the only three remaining from the original group was to synodontis petricola catfish and a King tiger pleco.
 
Stan510 said:
Sometimes a very small amount,like what you have is no big deal..looks like moss. IF it crosses the line from moss into long threads? Remove asap,make water changes more often. I see you have an Ancistrus? they usually will eat the soft tender moss like algae,but when it gets stringy,they wont touch it. Nothing will eat it,not even snails or largest Plecos.
Once you remove it..then the Pleco's will usually keep it from returning as they graze rocks and wood...if you better conditions. Vacuum the gravel,water changes will do most of the time.
Click to expand...
It's definitely long hair algae not Moss but only on that one elevated Rock
 
You have a small imbalance with Flourish+8 more fish. Fastest results would be 1.Less light 2. More water changes,plus less Flourish. 3.Bigger bio filter.
You would know what would be best for you.
 
No,he said he's having a hair algae problem. Not "look at my tank". Like I said,he has a minor imbalance,no big deal, and I advised ways to balance. Seen all this for half a century. Nobody wants hair algae or posts how proud they are to have it!
 
Stan510 said:
You have a small imbalance with Flourish+8 more fish. Fastest results would be 1.Less light 2. More water changes,plus less Flourish. 3.Bigger bio filter.
You would know what would be best for you.
Click to expand...

I don't understand what you're trying to say with
You have a small imbalance with Flourish+8 more fish.

I have ab180 gallons per hour filtration system in this tank for 55 gallons. I don't need more filtration for sure.

I do a 20% water change every 7 to 10 days religiously and I only add new flourish following the water changes.

I'm currently using a fluorescent light that is on 12 hrs a day and been using the same light system for the last 18 years. I am currently in the process of updating to my first LED light system.

9 species of plants 18 fish not including 2 suckers and 4 catfish.

I was thinking about adding a few shrimp into the mix. I never kept pet shrimp before in all my years in the hobby. Would my German Rams dwarf gouramis angelfish or synodontis catfish eat the shrimp
 

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I actually like the look of the hair algae as long as I keep it in check and only on that elevated rock formation. I think he gives the tank a more natural look. Remember to greed to disagree there is no right way to do things only a wrong way if you understand that
 
I have some on the wood in one of my tanks and I like the look. The tank is pretty well balanced so it does not spread or get out of control.
 
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