Is Hair Algae Deadly

Byron said:

First thing I consider worth knowing is that there are basically two types of "algae," one being the common green that occurs on all surfaces in the biofilm and which we often do not even see, and includes diatoms. The other type is what I term "problem algae." Two quite different things, and different methods are needed to resolve the latter.

Problem algae is not likely to be eaten by any fish. Snails may (but slowly), shrimp sometimes. But any fish that might eat problem algae is usually not suited to most home aquariums.

The other thing is live plants. In planted tanks, it is crucial to keep problem algae under control. It can smother plant leaves, killing the plant in time. It is not particularly harmful to fish, though the situation may be due to deteriorating water quality and this obviously will be in time. In a tank without live plants, you are best to let it be. It is doing what all plants do, using nutrients in the presence of light, and oxygen is produced as a result. Not harmful in itself.

Assuming this is a planted tank, you need to establish or re-establish the light/nutrient balance. Which brings me to your new light...what you have seen is common when light is changed. I have noticed just changing the tube will affect things, usually increased plant growth which obviously starves problem algae more. I have seen algae begin to increase when I neglect to change the tube within 12 months. Sometimes the balance can be pernikity.

If you do have plants, I can take a look at what might be out if you provide some data. Light type, spectrum, duration; any plant fertilizers/additives. Also a photo of the tank so I can see the plants will help.

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Byron said:

Algae is not white, and I cannot see much from the photos. This could be fungus from something, likely the wood maybe. It may be algae and seem to be white, but algae is photosynthetic.

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Liam said:

If you have just set up the tank it won’t be ready for animals yet. It may be fungus but some algae can look white, if it is very easily broken and soft it may be fungus if you can wrap it around a toothbrush and pull it out it is probably algae. You can limit your lighting period to 8 hours or less and do a water change removing as much of the ‘hair’ as possible. If it’s algae it won’t do any harm to fish. If the tank is new check out cycling a new tank.

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bivalvelover said:

Oh okay! Sorry, I was seeing a lot of conflicting things. It just suddenly bloomed up today- I didn’t notice it this morning when I left. I put the wood in on Saturday. The light was first turned on Sunday evening, and my father turned it on this morning as well. Is this threatening as a fungus, then? What should I be doing?

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Byron said:

If it appeared this rapidly, it is much more likely to be some sort of fungus. I really cannot tell from photos, but it is worth keeping in mind. Most fungus from wood is harmless, but not all. And there is no way to tell aside from a microbiologist examining it. Fish will react to the toxic fungus, in my experience showing lethargy, very increased respiration, sometimes remaining close to the surface for oxygen.

On the light, a timer is a good idea. If you have live plants, you need to keep the light/nutrient balance, and one way to achieve this is with a time so the light is on for the same period each day. It can be at any time, so have it on when you are normally there to enjoy the aquarium. I would not go over eight hours.

One of the real problems with this hobby is the plethora of inaccurate, misleading, questionable information. When I started out in this hobby we had books and a cople magazines, and what we read was factual or at least intelligent. Now any half-wit can set up a web page and become an "expert." I never accept anything online unless I have some knowledge either personally or by research in the knowledge of the individual himself/herself.

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