Hair algae

jerime

Member
Jan 23, 2005
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I'd appreciate any comments regarding sure method of battling hair algae out of my tank.

Thanks

P.S. My tank is infested with hair algae. A friend of mine had it and reported that stopping iron fert. eliminated all his algae.

Does iron really cause hair algae? if not, what are the ways to eliminate this pest?

Thanks.
 

Tom Barr

Founder
Staff member
Administrator
Jan 23, 2005
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Re: Hair algae

You can test this theory easily and see if it works. I think you'll quickly find it does not.

I dose heavily with traces/Fe and don't have hair algae, so if excess Fe causes hair algae, I'm not seeing it at all.It's there, but doesn't grow.

I typically will rote the top 1" of the gravel under, I'll replant that area and clean whatever is there and pick and clean the plants. I'll tend to do this in 1/2, 1/3, or 1/4 sections each time.

I'll bleach any equipment etc, clean things well.

That seems to knock it out most every time seriously setting it back. SAE's Amano shrimps polish off any left overs.

Rosey barbs will shed anything furry to bits also.Algae or moss/Riccia.

Some have reports H2O2 works, I've tried this and seen plants suffer, so it's not an effective method for targeting the algae really, but if you have certain plants, you might be able to get away with it.

I prefer cleaning and pruning and only use H2O2 or bleach on rocks, equipment, wood etc. It's slow growing so this method takes care of it and the algae tends to go away over time and repeated harassment.

I think many excpet aqlgae to just magically disappear or that there is some wonder pill that will do this, no, there really is nothing like simple mainteance and rotating the plants and surfaces. This is good for plants as well.


Regards,

Tom Barr