Hair Algae

[Neha]

I am having a hair algae problem in a fairly new setup. It is my first attempt at aquascape and does have high demanding plants, CO2 injection and a pretty strong light. The top has red root floaters so they block a little light from a few sections. It is a 15gal tank and I’m using a JC&P (clip on) light at 8 hours at almost max setting (the light isn’t very good in terms of it’s remote and the customer care people are horrible so no help there). Now I’m having problems with hair algae in the shaded as well as well lit areas of the tank, but mostly on the moss covered wood. My moss grows but so does the algae and then I’ve to hack it all down. There’s buce on the wood along with moss which isn’t growing properly I’m assuming bcz of algae. The wood releases brownish substance into the water even after being prepped by boiling for more than 8 hours and being in the tank for 2 months dark start period. The tank only had snails and 4 cherry shrimplets until now, I’ve added 7 guppies (endlers and normal mix) and 7 pygmy corydoras yesterday. How do I deal with this algae? I’m planning to get amano shrimp to help and I already have 2 nerite snails and several ramshorns. Any advice? Also how do I quarantine amano shrimp and is there need to do so?

[Fish Folk]

I have straightened out your photos…

Your aquarium is beautiful! Those red root floaters are absolutely stunning.

Here is an excellent article from TFH Magazine on dealing with hair algae. I’d read it over thoroughly.

Basically: (1) Remove manually (2) Adjust Parameters (3) Add Select Algae Eating Species (4) Bunker-down for a Long Battle.

I’ll note… if you try Florida Flagfish, be sure you buy _FEMALES_ rather than males. Males get really testy…

(My sexing I.D. from another thread)

 

[Patrick_G]

The algae I see on your Buce looks more like staghorn algae. Here’s a few things that I would try for both staghorn and hair algae. 

1. Reduce your light to about 6-7 hours or reduce the intensity. 
2. Make sure you plants have proper fertilizer so they can grow and outcompete the algae. 
3. Add a few more plants, a larger plant mass seems to help outcompete the algae. 
4. Dose with Seachem Excel. I’ve had good luck with and initial dose, and an occasional follow up. I haven’t found the daily dose recommended on the bottle to be necessary. 

[Neha]

On 4/3/2022 at 10:52 AM, Fish Folk said:

I have straightened out your photos…

Your aquarium is beautiful! Those red root floaters are absolutely stunning.

Here is an excellent article from TFH Magazine on dealing with hair algae. I’d read it over thoroughly.

Basically: (1) Remove manually (2) Adjust Parameters (3) Add Select Algae Eating Species (4) Bunker-down for a Long Battle.

I’ll note… if you try Florida Flagfish, be sure you buy _FEMALES_ rather than males. Males get really testy…

(My sexing I.D. from another thread)

 

Thank you very much! That was helpful.

On 4/3/2022 at 6:13 PM, Patrick_G said:

The algae I see on your Buce looks more like staghorn algae. Here’s a few things that I would try for both staghorn and hair algae. 

1. Reduce your light to about 6-7 hours or reduce the intensity. 
2. Make sure you plants have proper fertilizer so they can grow and outcompete the algae. 
3. Add a few more plants, a larger plant mass seems to help outcompete the algae. 
4. Dose with Seachem Excel. I’ve had good luck with and initial dose, and an occasional follow up. I haven’t found the daily dose recommended on the bottle to be necessary. 

Yes, that does look like staghorn. Thanks for spotting it. Well, I can’t possibly increase my plants mass. I will play with fertz and light though. Thank you.