Hair Algae

[ray john]

how can i get rid of hair algae i think it come in on a new plant and its get worse ? will leave the tank in darkness for a couple of days help ? i did this before to get rid of green water and that work for green water but will it work for hair algae . please reply need help .thanks

 

[KimA]

Hi,

No idea if leaving the tank in darkness will work with hair algae, but I used Interpet's Anti Hair Algae (dose once every 7 days for 4 doses, then once every month) - mine cleared after the first month, and haven't seen it since.

 

[RadaR]

Ive not heard of the darkness treatment being used for hair algae.
What I would do is make sure your lights are on for 10 hours a day, make sure your CO2 is stable and at a constant measure of 30ppm (if you are using it that is. if you arent then that will probably be the problem), do a gravel clean and remove as much as you can by hand.
As Kim said medical treatments work but finding the cause is better so that it wont come back and so that if it does come back you know whats wrong.

 

[wei0204]

I have read a lot about hair algae and most of them saying that hair algae is not scare of black out, so it doesn't help.

My experience hair algae problem before and my solution is to use amano shrimps and flying fox to help to get rid of it... and it really works.

 

[Themuleous]

I'll second the call for some amano shrimp, them worked wonders on my hair algae in the past.

Sam

 

[SNAIL]

I agree with the others in respect to Amano shrimps.
I have experienced just about all forms of algae.
With hair algae, do get Amano, Oto and snails and cut the leaves off the
plants that are heavily infected. Other objects in the tank
such as thermometers, rocks, etc... should be scrubbed down.
If you can do a bleach treatment on the thermometer and other equipment
that sits in the tank, do so, if there are any signs of hair algae on them.
Do 2 water changes per week and watch your filter.
Your filter needs to be cleaned every two weeks.
If any plants that you have are just totally covered, take it out.
Avoid using chemicals. It can create other problems as well.
Some plants will die from it too. If you have activated carbon in your filter, remove it.
I have found activated carbon to trigger algae blooms too as they take out
nutrients that the plants need to fight algae.
It will take time to fend off an algae attack but with patience, time, and
proper maintenance you'll get through it.
Forgot to mention, control the feeding.
If you can feed once a day for a week, that should help.
And CO2.
Note: Amano, Oto, and some snails will not eat fully grown algae.
They usually eat them at the early stage of development. Any fully grown algae
will have to be removed manually. You can never be free of algae but you can
keep them under control thus the need for a cleaning crew.