Hair Algae

["Del @ Weberized" <del@weberized.net>]

Hi Rachel,

Thank you so much for your input.

I will try you suggestions and let you know how It does.

Again,  thank you so much!

Del

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rachel Sandage" <rachelsor@hotmail.com>
To: <apisto@listbox.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2001 11:20 PM
Subject: Re: mixing apistos


> Del,
>
> You didn't say how much light you have on the tank, but if you are using
DIY
> CO2 I'm assuming it is about 2-3 watts/gallon. What you have is called
hair
> algae (for pretty obvious reasons) and it is a sign of a nutrient
imbalance
> in your tank.
>
> The first thing to do is get as much of it as you can out of there. Some
> people recommend using a toothbrush and twirling the hair algae onto it
like
> spaghetti onto a fork. Just be aware that it is pretty strong, and has a
> pretty good grip on your plants - plants that aren't well rooted are
likely
> to come up. I have used scissors and trimmed it off, too. A 50% or greater
> water change is a good idea at this point too.
>
> A total blackout of the tank will make it go away - cover the tank so no
> light gets in, and leave it covered for 4 days. The fish will be fine
> without food for 4 days, and so will the plants - some will even thrive.
> Disconnect your CO2 if you do this, or your pH may drop and your fish may
> die. Also be sure you've got most of it out, or the decaying hair algae
can
> cause some problems.
>
> So it's gone: how do you keep it from coming back?
>
> There are several types of fish which like to eat it. The two most common
> are the Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus siamensis) and the Florida Flag
> Fish (Jordanella floridae). Mollies also love it, but then you're into
> adding salt. Make sure you get a real SAE - there are lots of fish out
there
> which resemble it. See http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/ for ways
to
> tell them apart. You mention that you have algae eaters, but not which
kind.
> Loricariids (suckermouth catfish, like otos and plecos) don't eat hair
> algae. If you already have SAEs, they're probably overwhelmed.
>
> You also need to get your nutrients balanced. Do you have a nitrate test
> kit? For optimum plant growth, nitrAte should to be around 5-10 ppm. Most
> people with lots of plants and not alot of fish find they need to add
> nitrate to their tanks. The second nutrient to look at is potassium (K).
> Potassium should be at 15-20 ppm. Some stump removers are pure potassium
> nitrate (KNO3) and many people use them for adding both potassium and
> nitrates. You can also get pure KNO3 at hydroponics supply places as well.
>
> Finally, fast growing stem plants will outcompete the algae. Some
favorites
> are water sprite, any Hygrophila (especially difformis and polyperma),
> Rotala indica, Ludwigia repens.
>
> SOme of my favorite resources for plant info:
> http://www.actwin.com/fish/aquatic-plants - Aquatic Plants Digest Archive
>
> http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/ - The KRIB has everything you ever wanted
to
> know, and more.
>
> http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/Ultimate.cgi has a plant forum where
> people are pretty helpful.
>
> http://www.aquabotanic.com/4saleplant.htm - down at the bottom is a list
of
> plants which are "algae busters".
>
> I hope this helps.
>
> -rs
>
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