hair and green algae

[NowherMan6]

otos are VERY sensitive fish, and sudden changes are not good for them. if you got them recently, try to see what their bellys look like. If they look pushed in, or concave, then chances are they're not going to make it - it means they're not eating, and sometimes they just do that when being transferred to a new tank.

As for the SAEs, try not feeding them - if they get hungry enough they'll eat the algae. Also, though, make sure they're TRUE siamese algae eaters, Crossocheilus siamensis . Use this page to identify them http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/ If they aren't true SAEs they'll be much less inclined to eat algae. (By the way, even true SAEs may eat prepared food over algae, as it smells more enticing and is probably less work to get at for them)

 

[Wildiana]

otos are VERY sensitive fish, and sudden changes are not good for them. if you got them recently, try to see what their bellys look like. If they look pushed in, or concave, then chances are they're not going to make it - it means they're not eating, and sometimes they just do that when being transferred to a new tank.

As for the SAEs, try not feeding them - if they get hungry enough they'll eat the algae. Also, though, make sure they're TRUE siamese algae eaters, Crossocheilus siamensis . Use this page to identify them http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/ If they aren't true SAEs they'll be much less inclined to eat algae. (By the way, even true SAEs may eat prepared food over algae, as it smells more enticing and is probably less work to get at for them)

Thank! i guess i got ripped off! no SAE.

 

[Blinky]

No one's mentioned Excel yet, as far as I'm concerned, it's bottled magic when it comes to hair algae. I had a major outbreak in my 14g, using Excel at the recommended dosage the algae was gone in a matter of two weeks or so. Now the only time I see any hair algae is if I let the ferts get out of whack or let the CO2 get too low.
As said, SAEs will choose other foods over hair algae, and they'll only go after new growth - once it's established, it's up to you to remove it.
My advice is to manually remove as much algae as you can, get the CO2 up to ~25ppm (if you're using DIY, try adding a bottle), start using Excel, and keep up with maintenance and ferts. Once things are more balanced, hopefully it will die off and not come back