Nathan P Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I put a piece of drift wood in my aquarium and a green grass like plant started growing on it. I really like the look of it and very recently I realized it is green hair algae. Most people hate green hair algae and want to get rid of it immediately, but I don't think everyone realizes what you can do with it. The only form of algae control I have is bristlenose plecos. I think more people should consider letting green hair algae grow. Its an easy 'plant' that requires no maintenance, helps with water quality, and in my case looks great. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanTruth Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 If my hair algae stayed that short all the time I would absolutely leave it be. Looks great like that in my opinion. However, in my tank it gets REALLY long and out of control so I do have to do some manual maintenance of it during water changes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemon Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 17 minutes ago, Nathan P said: I put a piece of drift wood in my aquarium and a green grass like plant started growing on it. I really like the look of it and very recently I realized it is green hair algae. Most people hate green hair algae and want to get rid of it immediately, but I don't think everyone realizes what you can do with it. The only form of algae control I have is bristlenose plecos. I think more people should consider letting green hair algae grow. Its an easy 'plant' that requires no maintenance, helps with water quality, and in my case looks great. first that catfish is terrifying. lol second if mine stayed that short then yes i would let it grow 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I usually let it stay in my tanks. I've noticed that baby shrimp hid in the hair algae. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbit Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 50 minutes ago, quirkylemon103 said: first that catfish is terrifying. lol I just saw it! 😮 Too funny. And yes I’m with everyone else. If mine stayed short and looked like yours I would love it. It’s beautiful!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.K.Luterman Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I'm so jealous of you guys. I want the muppet fur hair algae. I only get the Halloween cobweb type that grows in long threads. I have to pull it out or else my limia get caught on it. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 (edited) I'm also of the opinion that this particular algae is attractive. But not this other green algae Edited February 18, 2021 by Aubrey 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Yeah, most of mine was this loooong thready stuff that choked the tank and actually made my shrimp unhappy. They got tangled. It would even snare adult guppies. The stuff I have now is shorter and bushy. I don't mind it on hardscape, but if it infests plants I pull it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenFins Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 And I call myself an algae farmer... The hair algae I get is just that that cobweb stuff, that looks so BAD!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I'm sold, I think I'm going to let my "hair" grow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 2 hours ago, Brandy said: Yeah, most of mine was this loooong thready stuff that choked the tank and actually made my shrimp unhappy. They got tangled. It would even snare adult guppies. The stuff I have now is shorter and bushy. I don't mind it on hardscape, but if it infests plants I pull it. I have a problem with it mingling with the Subwassertang, it's not very attractive.. wonder why some is short and others loose and thready... light? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 More likely different species to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I gave one of my tanks a mild haircut, but left the best: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickS77 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I've been letting this little 5.5 gallon go wild on my fishroom desk. I'm kinda getting fond of it now. It's mostly snails and a few shrimp. Tanks full of algae like this are great for raising fry as well. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 @MickS77, that looks great! I only trim when it starts to wrap other plants. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer V Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 @Nathan P wow! That's really beautiful! I wish I could grow that but all I've achieved so far is brown algae. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonske Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 On 2/19/2021 at 1:23 AM, Nathan P said: I really like the look of it and very recently I realized it is green hair algae If hair algae in my tanks looked like yours, I would have tried to grow it on purpose. The variety I got, however, was an entangled mess of free-floating foot-long strands, not good looking at all. Therefore, not allowed to thrive in my aquariums. That being said, I actually prefer hair algae to any other kind of algae, because it's the easiest to remove. Pulling it out with tweezers feels satisfying and relaxing for some strange reason. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Struggle Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 I’m a big fan of hair algae, I use it to feed my scuds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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