Hair Algae - ugh

[Vicki]

So, After 4 years of not having a problem with my 20 gallon tank, I bought a new light for it and am now finding that I’ve just started a case of hair algae. I’m SO upset because I’m ALSO just now setting up a new 50 gal tank. Absolutely EVERYTHING has gone wrong with this setup. From the substrate I decided to use, the paint I chose for the cabinet, everything. Anyway, I was wanting to use some bio rings  from my 20 gallon tank to help seed my big tank. But now that I’ve got that awful algae in it, is that a good idea? Will I just be transferring the algae to my new tank?

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

Hair algae is an opportunistic organism. When something is in excess - lights, nutrients or a lack of planting to compete it occurs. I’d reduce the light duration/period to start. Example 10 hour photo/light period I’d go to 8 hour. Give it 2 weeks. Remove the hair algae manually with a tooth brush. I can honk MD Fishtanks has a video on algae removal. I’d make one change at a time. 
In terms of the biorings, I’d say they are fine. Once you get your hair algae in better check I’d drop them in some hydrogen peroxide mixed with water - 1 teaspoon per 1/2 gallon. After 5-20 minutes  take them out. Then put them back in the tank for a few days and you should be good to go. 

[Maximus]

Is the spectrum from the original light very different? Might be worth to see how they compare, that might help you tune the timing and intensity. 

[Vicki]

On 7/2/2023 at 11:06 AM, Beardedbillygoat1975 said:

Hair algae is an opportunistic organism. When something is in excess - lights, nutrients or a lack of planting to compete it occurs. I’d reduce the light duration/period to start. Example 10 hour photo/light period I’d go to 8 hour. Give it 2 weeks. Remove the hair algae manually with a tooth brush. I can honk MD Fishtanks has a video on algae removal. I’d make one change at a time. 
In terms of the biorings, I’d say they are fine. Once you get your hair algae in better check I’d drop them in some hydrogen peroxide mixed with water - 1 teaspoon per 1/2 gallon. After 5-20 minutes  take them out. Then put them back in the tank for a few days and you should be good to go. 

I’m guessing it’s the light. Of course, I panicked when I saw it - two years ago when I had my 40 gal up and running, I had a major problem with hair algae. I ended up just emptying the tank and putting it away. It’s because I’ve had such a good run with this tank that I decided to start over, and boom, this happens. I’ll change the timing and intensity of this new light for a few weeks and see if it helps. I’ll pull the plants looking the worst and try cleaning them up some. And I’ll check out MD Fishtanks and get some help there. Thank you!

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

I have reset tanks with h2o2 but I’m thinking this seems super fixable. Before you tear it apart I’d have you look up Marks Shrimp Tanks and his hydrogen peroxide algae reset