Hair Algae

[strohl71]

I have a heavily planted 38 gal apisto tank that I am suddenly (within the last 2 months) having a green hair algae problem. I keep the tank at about 75 degrees F and do a 30% water change every 3 weeks or so. The tank is in my basement and does not receive any direct sunlight. Amonia, nitrites and nitrates are all at acceptable levels.

I have never had this problem before with hair algae. I physically remove it from tank and do a water change but it starts growing back within a few days or a week.

I am looking for advice. What is causing this and what is the best way to control it?

 

[spine]

strohl71,
Please try and awnser some of the following questions

How many fish are in your tank.
How much do you feed them.
Do you add any fertilizers
What plants do you have
What wattage are your lights and how long do you leave them on
Are you using tap water, purified water (RO,DI ect..)
are you using CO2

 

[jose_vogel]

Spine,

I would add the following question:
Do you have shrimps in that tank?
Which ones?
How many?


Bye

 

[ed seeley]

There have been some suggestions in various places that a build up of organic wastes can be a major trigger in causing algae. Regardless of fertilisation regimes, stocking, lighting etc.(knowing which would definitely help with a more useful answer!) I'd suggest you do a few larger water changes, maybe up to about 50% a week or 30% ones every few days sucking out as much mulm and debris as possible as well as removing as much algae as you can. Clean your filter thoroughly too.

A number of people have also put Seachem's Purigen in their filter and said this has really helped (I've bought some but haven't used it yet). It removes nitrogenous organic waste from the water, but not fertilisers and is rechargeable.

To keep the algae away we'll need to know more info!

 

[strohl71]

Sorry for the delay of my reply.

To answer everyones questions:

1. I have 4 apisto's, 1 ancistris pleco, about 15 cardinal tetras, 1 oto cat

2. I do not think I overfeed. I feed once per day (flake or frozen), 6 days per week. I generally skip sundays.

3. The only thing I add is liquid CO2 supplement. A couple of capfuls every week.

4. My plants: Anubias, Java fern, Java moss, another plant I bought but cannot remember exactly what it is.

5. I use a triple fluorescent canopy. Each bulb is 30 watts for a total of 90. The lights are on an auto timer and light the tank for about a total of 10 hours per day. I actually give the tank about a 2 hour siesta (no light) during the afternoon.

6. I use steam distilled water and add a teaspoon or so of Kent RO Right after each water change.

7. I do not use CO2.

8. Yes, I have 1 shrimp in the tank. I do not know exactly what species. It is a little (about 2 inches) blue shrimp that has filters instead of claws. I actually hardly ever see the shrimp and have occasionaly wondered if it died and I just can see the corpse because of the plants. However, I always end up catching a glimpse of it every great once in a while. I have no idea where that thing hides.

I hope the above information helps. I am going to check into Seachems Purigen. I have never heard of it. I can do water changes a little more often as well. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks again.

 

[KnaveTO]

With a pleco in the tank you need to be doing weekly water changes vaccumming the substrate. Plecos are major waste producing machines! As for the oto, they should be maintained in groups of a bare minimum of 3.

The shrimp you have is a type of fan shrimp I would assume and so therefore not that good for eating stuff from the bottom of the tank or algae for that matter.

As for the algae you may want to increase your liquid CO2 suppliment for at least a month. Algae can't compete with plants for nutrients. They really only consume that which the plants do not. Good luck... having my own battle with this monster.