Ive been batteling hair algae for weeks and it has taken over, ive done soo many searches but i cant find out how to stop it, it growing everywehre, even inside my filter, its growing on my spill out from my filter, everywhere, i use a diatom filter with almost every water change, and my water is clear for like a day or two but after that it gets all green again, i dont know what to do, i added plants to compete for the algae and upgraded my lighting from 1 wpw to 3.25 and dont leave my lights on for more than 8 hours a day. so i just really need help! anything would be greatly apprecaitive!
Hair Alage is Destroying my tank
- Thread starter livewyr25
- Start date
At 3.25 watts per gallon your gona need come kind of C02 injection. Are you doing C02?
Also are you dosing any macro ferts and micro ferts? How is your nitrate readings? What about your phosphate readings?
Also, grab some true Siamese Algae eaters if you can find some in the mean time, they eat hair algae, and do a great job!
Also are you dosing any macro ferts and micro ferts? How is your nitrate readings? What about your phosphate readings?
Also, grab some true Siamese Algae eaters if you can find some in the mean time, they eat hair algae, and do a great job!
i am injecting with co2, its almost like a DIY co2 kit, but i bought this package, and it has the container and hose and a powerhead to push the co2. i havnt tested for nitrates in a while, but last time seemed to be fine, dont have a phosphate test. should i go out and purchase one?? i add Flourish once a week to the tank....
As an option you may also wish to consider the procedure outlined at:
http://ovas.ca/article.php?sid=95
http://ovas.ca/article.php?sid=95
livewyr25 said:but i have plants, and surely 5 days with no light will kill them all
Just too help you about a bit. You should have a phosphate, nitrate, ph, and KH test kits for a planted tank. Of course Ammonia, nitrite are also important for the health of your fish.
Your C02 should be around 20-30 ppm, and then can only you determine you C02 levels by checking your ph and kh.
Also, Flourish isnt enough for a highlight and C02 tank. You also have to dose Nitrates, phosphates and pottasium in these tank atleast 2-5 times per week or depending on how heavily planted your tank is. If you dont, algae outcompetes the plants for nutrients and takes over your tank.
Thats just a brief discription i gave you, check out this link and get tons more info!
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/articles.htm
The blackout will kill some algae, but it wont solve your problem and the hair algae will come back.
livewyr25 said:but i have plants, and surely 5 days with no light will kill them all
If you have concerns you could register on the OVAS forum and start a thread about your concerns or do a search. There are a few guys who frequent that forum you are very keen aquatic gardeners and could probably address your concerns.