"Hair algae" is a collective term that encompasses a lot of algal species, genera, and families. I think it is appropriate and not incorrect to call just about any of them "hair algae," in general.
help with algae
- Thread starter masterchef518
- Start date
This is only applicable to freshwater systems. Don't put peat moss in a marine aquarium, as it will not have the same effect, short of yellowing the water.
If you want to lower pH, the safest thing I can immediately recommend is to aerate the water heavily. For example, if you don't already have a protein skimmer, get one and see if that makes a difference. Second, you can try carbonated water @ 6mL per gallon to drop the pH by 0.3 units. Make absolutely sure there is nothing else in it--just carbonated water. My third choice would be to use a bit of household (5% acidity) distilled white vinegar @ 1mL per gallon to lower pH by .3 units. With either, add small amounts and monitor pH very carefully.
Oh, something I needed to add. Have you cross referenced that pH reading with another reliable test kit? I would do that before you actually start tinkering with the pH, especially lowering it. What are you using to supplement calcium and alkalinity? Do you have a refugium with lots of macroalgal growth (and photosynthesis)?
ok i will take my water to my lfs and have them test the water also im not using any supplements and i dont have a skimmer and no refugium so no macroalgae
Yes, but I can't recommend long term supplementation, especially without an efficient skimmer and a means to heavily aerate the water. Otherwise, carbon dosing will have a much reduced effectiveness and you risk low oxygen levels and higher bacterial counts (which are already present, especially when dosing, but even higher without a skimmer).
Yeah, I'm not trying to be a terminology stickler or anything, but it is important to know which you have since the treatments for each may vary.
The Tech M is a real relief of a cure for bryopsis, which was one of the hardest for me to rid compared to typical hair algae.
Tech M did nothing to deter common hair algae in my case.
