Hairy Algae, What Could Be Causing It

[Gilbertr14]

Hello

I got a 5g tank with 4 scissor tails and two Skirted tetras in it.

The light avaialble is about 2.5w per Gallon
It gets about 12 - 14 hours a day.

The algae is only on 1 of the plants and around the heater.

Any ideas to reduce it?

Could the Window and light coming in be a factor? I do keep the curtain closed.

Can I intoroduce a fish or the likes to combat the problem?

 

[tgo]

I'm definately no expert, but it appears that the reason hair algae is growing on your plant is because it is an anubias plant, which is a slow grower and is prone to algae growth on its leaves. I have algae on mine as well.

 

[three-fingers]

It's not Anubias .

Getting rid of hair algae (or most algae) is a simple case of getting the conditions right for the plants in the tank, and then waiting.

Since you have a HOB, even if your tank has a high turnover, the circulation in the tank is going to be quite poor (the out flow of these filters is right next to the intake ).

Although I cant judge personally how the circulation in the tank is since I don't know the specifications of the filter and cant see the tank, solving the circulation issue would be a step in the right direction. You could modify it using pipe to extend the intake.
I would personally buy a new filter, either internal or external (worth it, even on small tanks if you can afford them IMO). This is because the outflow of HOBS creates a decent amount of surface agitation and drives of CO2, which could very well be an issue in a very clean new tank that has no additional carbon source.

What is your nitrate level sitting at btw?

An easy way to help your plants would be to add liquid carbon like Seachem Excel.

This is a good read: http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm.

 

[Gilbertr14]

Sorry that I sound a little ignorant, but what is HOB?

As for the filter, It's an aquaclear 30, now on the right side of the tank behind the sword.
This way the water flow runs from right to left of the tank

dropping fish flakes into the water near the filter, I can see the flakes swoop down and across the tank right to the left hand side within a second or two

 

[oscars r ace]

HOB = hang on back filter

 

[arobinson1984]

How big is the tank? is it the one in the pic with the little girl?

A good way to help prevent algae is to add a powerhead to your tank to increase flow around the middle and lower layers of the tank as most filters only circulate around the top of the tank leaving 'dead spots' lower down which allows algae to grow. The prob is, if it is that tank with the girl in the pic then a powerhead might take up too much room as its a fairly small tank.

Andy

 

[Dave Spencer]

You have staghorn algae. This is a good indicator that your plants are starting to become carbon limited.

Reducing the photoperiod to around eight hours will reduce the demand for carbon, and may be the simple solution. Otherwise, add Flourish Excel or Easycarbo as a liquid form of the carbon your plants are starting to run short of.

Dave.

 

[Gilbertr14]

You have staghorn algae. This is a good indicator that your plants are starting to become carbon limited.

Reducing the photo period to around eight hours will reduce the demand for carbon, and may be the simple solution. Otherwise, add Flourish Excel or Easycarbo as a liquid form of the carbon your plants are starting to run short of.

Dave.

Thanks Dave.

Started adding flourish and shortened the photo period from 12 to 8 hours a day.

The Ludwigia is dying, all leaves are falling off it.


Could it also be that I have the wrong fluorescent in it?
Its a T8 Red 10w.