Algae & New Tank

[FloridaFishGuy]

I had to take out all the plants becuase there were WAY to many snails. Now since the plants are out, tons of hair algae is growing. I have a few questions. How can I get rid of the algae? Should I scrape it all off and then go get some more plants and wash them off first to ensure theres not snails? Also I plan on getting a 55g tank still like it says in my sig but I wanna know whats the best way to filter it. Should I use undergravel filters, canister, hang on ones, or a combanation.

 

[tstenback]

the best way to remove hair algae is to do it manually first with a filter brush or toothbrush. Just twist the brush and wind in the algae and keep going until you feel the algae pop off whatever it is attached to. keep doing this until its all gone.
Then yes put the plants back in as you need something to use up the nutrients that the algae is using so that the algae wont come back. Or you can not put in any plants and keep the light off unless its dark and you want to see the fish. This will not work if the tank is in a dark room because the fish still need some light during the day 8 hours or so.

In the 55 the best way is a canister if thats affordable. I would recommend staying away from a UGF, not because it doesnt work but because it is a lot of work to maintain them when that time comes. HTH

 

[FloridaFishGuy]

Thanks for the info. Any ideas of some good plants that would go in at 10g?

 

[tstenback]

I think that java fern, any of the crytocorynes or Hygrophila polysperma would be nice in a 10 gal. HTH

 

[FloridaFishGuy]

Thanks again for the info. I looked on the web and i really like the crytocorynes i think ill go to my lfs and see what they have.