View Full Version : green hair algae on java moss
lilcavy2
11-17-2009, 3:17 PM
I'm a noob to planted tanks. I tried some nice easy java moss and it got coated in hair algae. How does one go about getting rid of hair algae if it's on a plant you want to keep?
Linda S
11-17-2009, 3:27 PM
tank specs? lighting? fish load? abit more information would help us help you.
lilcavy2
11-17-2009, 6:28 PM
It was in my 29 gallon tank, 13 watt flourescent light, 1 cory, 4 zebra danios, 5 tetras and MTS. Of course the hair algae was not only growing on the java moss but also on the plastic/silk plants so I took it out of there. I cleaned the fake plants and replaced them and have no more hair algae in that tank (that was a while ago). The infested java moss has been relegated to a large cup (with a couple MTS that went along for the ride). The cup is by a window. Both plant and algae are growing great, 'course I only want the java moss.
EileenH
11-17-2009, 7:35 PM
I have a book about algae and it says that Hair/Thread algae consists of long green filaments. It grows interwined in moss, attached to leaves near the water surface, on floating plants and in floating mats. High DOC levels (dissolved organic compounds) contribute to its growth.
Known treatments:
Manual removal- use toothbruch or wire brush to remove as much as possible.
maintain proper water changes schedule-weekly / bi-weekly changes.
Algae eaters:
The Florida Flag Fish
Black Mollies
Gold Barbs
Rosie Barbs
Some Cichlids
Amano shrimp
I also have a recipe for getting rid of snails or algae in plants
19 parts water to 1 part bleach soak for 30 seconds then remove and soak for 30 min. in treated water. Some delicate plants might not fair well in this solution.
lilcavy2
11-18-2009, 8:27 PM
That is very helpful, thank you! I will try removing those hitchhiker snails and putting the cup in the dark and change the water every day. If that doesn't at least help, I'll try the bleach method. I've already ordered more java moss but I'm sure I'll have to deal with this again so thanks so much!!
My 2c:
-tear off the bits that have hair algae. the remaining java moss will grow back.
-reduce the time the light is on to minimize it.
-keep trying ... one shot probably won't get it all.
I wouldnt bleach java Moss...you may not have much left. (you may have MUSH left!)
DavidZ
11-18-2009, 10:20 PM
Find a reason why, before you try drastic measures.
lilcavy2
11-19-2009, 8:31 PM
Find a reason why, before you try drastic measures.
The tank I took the moss out of has no more hair algae growing so I may never know why. In fact, it barely has any algae growing on the tank glass even. :huh:
DavidZ
11-20-2009, 9:15 AM
Could it be the left over food that is trapped in the moss?
FindingBlemo
11-20-2009, 9:21 AM
^^ +1
Had this stuff in my saltwater tank for about 1 year, couldn't get any coral or anything because it would take over. I got rid of it with a 3 day black out with doses of Phosban every night. I still have little breakouts when I leave the lights on too long but I'm happy it's gone.
FindingBlemo
11-20-2009, 9:21 AM
Also, I ton of manual work, I went in the tank about every day to remove algae from the rock and put it in a cup and rinsed it out every once in a while.
Hope this helps! Sorry for the double post.
DavidZ
11-20-2009, 4:39 PM
Try a SAE, I hear they go for it.
lilcavy2
11-20-2009, 8:19 PM
Could it be the left over food that is trapped in the moss?
That sounds quite reasonable. I vacuum my gravel every week so there would be weekly particles caught in the moss. How can you prevent that tho'?
lilcavy2
11-20-2009, 8:20 PM
^^ +1
Had this stuff in my saltwater tank for about 1 year, couldn't get any coral or anything because it would take over. I got rid of it with a 3 day black out with doses of Phosban every night. I still have little breakouts when I leave the lights on too long but I'm happy it's gone.
I will look for Phosban then. thanks!
I don't think you have enough light for the java moss to grow at any significant rate anyway.
lilcavy2
11-21-2009, 5:48 PM
I don't think you have enough light for the java moss to grow at any significant rate anyway.
Ah, I got the bulb at Petco where it is listed as perfect for planted tanks. How many watts do I need?
Sometimes it's easier to pitch it and start over when it gets really garbaged up with algae. I can't tell ya how many handfuls of Java moss I've tossed out.
It keeps making more tho. I now keep a backup supply in a 2 gallon pretzel jar with no fish or snails and low light. It just gets fish water when I change the tanks.
No offense to anyone, but I wouldnt buy phosban just to try to salvage java moss...new java moss is cheaper than phosban!
13W is really tiny for a 29G tank. I suspect it is a lot shorter than the tank too (?) Double that would be good, but you can't just go buy a higher wattage lamp to fit the same fixture.
One option would be a dual incadescent hood that will fit 2 23W spiral CFLS.
Have a look round the DIY forum for lighting that folks have built/adapted...
mellowvision
11-21-2009, 8:50 PM
I agree, chems are not the way around hair algae, nor is java moss worth saving. take out the algae. as much as you can see, all the time, whenever you see it. Figure out if you really have an imbalance in the tank, or if you just got infected moss. Hair moss is a huge opporunist, and probably the hardest algae to rid yourself of once it overtakes a tank, but often stays away once you find a balance.
lilcavy2
11-23-2009, 12:36 PM
13W is really tiny for a 29G tank. I suspect it is a lot shorter than the tank too (?) Double that would be good, but you can't just go buy a higher wattage lamp to fit the same fixture.
One option would be a dual incadescent hood that will fit 2 23W spiral CFLS.
Have a look round the DIY forum for lighting that folks have built/adapted...
Hmm, well the flourescent lightbulb says 'F13T8 NATURAL DAYLIGHT' so I assumed that means 13 watts 'cause that's ALL the bulb says. It is not shorter than the tank at all tho' so maybe I'm totally wrong about the wattage? I have seen those spiral bulbs but have not seen a hood that uses them. Perhaps I can find one that uses two fluorescent lights, dunno, I'll look. Thanks!!
dundadundun
11-24-2009, 3:00 AM
http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm
more plants, more light, more nutrients, better cleaning schedule... all may help. packing a tank with plants from the start is really the best way to avoid a huge headache with algae. do what it takes to make the plants happy and you'll be much better off.
that being said your lighting is too low definitely even for java moss. EDIT: shoot for .75 to 1.5 wpg for javamoss and other low light plants. you won't get amazing growth but you will get enjoyable ease and possibly (depending on other factors) healthy plants.
lilcavy2
11-24-2009, 7:02 PM
very nice informative link!