Hair algae

giddetm · 09-10-2011, 11:07 AM

I have recently aquired Hair algae in my 150 gal Planted tank, Has anyone had any experience with this and can tell me how to get rid of it without killing all the plants? It is growing off the return from the pump and and growing on top of the Java Moss.

susankat · 09-10-2011, 11:23 AM

There is only 2 ways that I have tried, both work but takes time. First one is to use a toothbrush, put it into the hair algae and twirl it around and pull it out. Second is to get some florida flag fish as they like to eat it.

giddetm · 09-10-2011, 02:36 PM

Thanks,I pulled some out this morning and I knew it would be a pain. It seems like some debri is getting caught in the upper Java Moss and causing a nutient issue so I think I need more flow threw the top of the tank. I am looking for some Florida Flag fish,do you know anyone that has them? There is another livebearer called Ameca splendens that is supposed to eat hair algae.I found some of them and the person wants 25 bux for 2 pair and 35 bux overnight shipping.

Pigeonfish · 09-10-2011, 02:54 PM

I hear Mollys eat hair algae too.

giddetm · 09-10-2011, 03:19 PM

I have a dozen in there now and they dont touch it. Iam going to stop feeding for a few days and see if they like the hair algae then.

susankat · 09-10-2011, 04:08 PM

Most lfs can order them, and they usually sell for less than 5 each. Thats pretty high for ameca splendens. People in our club sells them like a 1.00 for 6 of them. If you can find a local club that some of the members do live bearers you can probably get some that way.

Russell · 09-10-2011, 05:52 PM

Flourish Excel killed the hair algae in my tank in less than two weeks. It also killed the anacharis. I used it as directed starting with the loading dose and because it's known to be tough on anacharis used the every other day dosing recommended for tanks containing it but it died anyway. I just changed my planting scheme and the tank looks great but obviously if you use Flourish Excel caution is in order. They have specific info on their site. It is not sold as an algacide and I think I read here that it can be tough on other lower order plants.

09-10-2011, 11:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
giddetm giddetm's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 197 Name: Tom Location: North Pekin IL Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 14 Times Said "Thanks" 19 Times Was Thanked 32 Times in 31 Posts	Hair algae I have recently aquired Hair algae in my 150 gal Planted tank, Has anyone had any experience with this and can tell me how to get rid of it without killing all the plants? It is growing off the return from the pump and and growing on top of the Java Moss.

09-10-2011, 11:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,412 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,081 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,807 Times in 1,548 Posts	Re: Hair algae There is only 2 ways that I have tried, both work but takes time. First one is to use a toothbrush, put it into the hair algae and twirl it around and pull it out. Second is to get some florida flag fish as they like to eat it. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

09-10-2011, 02:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
giddetm giddetm's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 197 Name: Tom Location: North Pekin IL Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 14 Times Said "Thanks" 19 Times Was Thanked 32 Times in 31 Posts	Re: Hair algae Thanks,I pulled some out this morning and I knew it would be a pain. It seems like some debri is getting caught in the upper Java Moss and causing a nutient issue so I think I need more flow threw the top of the tank. I am looking for some Florida Flag fish,do you know anyone that has them? There is another livebearer called Ameca splendens that is supposed to eat hair algae.I found some of them and the person wants 25 bux for 2 pair and 35 bux overnight shipping.

09-10-2011, 02:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pigeonfish Pigeonfish's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 834 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 107 Times Said "Thanks" 205 Times Was Thanked 373 Times in 345 Posts	Re: Hair algae I hear Mollys eat hair algae too. __________________ my dream aquarium...

09-10-2011, 03:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
giddetm giddetm's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 197 Name: Tom Location: North Pekin IL Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 14 Times Said "Thanks" 19 Times Was Thanked 32 Times in 31 Posts	Re: Hair algae I have a dozen in there now and they dont touch it. Iam going to stop feeding for a few days and see if they like the hair algae then.

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09-10-2011, 04:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,412 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,081 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,807 Times in 1,548 Posts	Re: Hair algae Most lfs can order them, and they usually sell for less than 5 each. Thats pretty high for ameca splendens. People in our club sells them like a 1.00 for 6 of them. If you can find a local club that some of the members do live bearers you can probably get some that way. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

09-10-2011, 05:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Russell Russell's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 56 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 32 Times Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Hair algae Flourish Excel killed the hair algae in my tank in less than two weeks. It also killed the anacharis. I used it as directed starting with the loading dose and because it's known to be tough on anacharis used the every other day dosing recommended for tanks containing it but it died anyway. I just changed my planting scheme and the tank looks great but obviously if you use Flourish Excel caution is in order. They have specific info on their site. It is not sold as an algacide and I think I read here that it can be tough on other lower order plants.

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