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Old 27-02-2003, 08:00 PM
Dave Millman
 
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Default Green Hair Algae

dpots wrote:

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting rid of Green Hair Algae?
My 60g tank has been taken over by this stuff. It is on all of my
plants. I have 20 amano shrimp and 8 otos in the tank, but they don't
seem to be eating it. Is there something better out there that will
get rid of it. My tank is densely planted with anubias, cabomba,
hornwort, hygro, java fern, java moss, najas grass, jungle val,
italian val, elodia, and diandra. All of the plants are growing quite
well, but the leaves are getting covered with this tough green hair
algae. My lighting is on for 10 hours and consists of 4 48"
flourescents (flora grow bulbs). I also run a diy CO2 system and
filter the tank via an aquaclear 500 power filter. I complete a 30%
water change weekly.


This is the information you provided:

60gallon tank, densly planted
160 watts flourescent lighting (reflectors?), 10 hours per day
DIY CO2
External power filter with bubble-over return
30% water change weekly

Here's what we need to know:
pH? KH? These will tell us available CO2.
NO3 (Nitrate)? Available nitrogen
Ammonia and nitrites should be zero, yes?
What kind of substrate?
What ferts or additives, if any?

The bottom line is, there is enough light in your tank, but not enough of
some nutrients to enable the higher plants to utilize available nutrients,
so the algae enjoying what's available. Once we figure out what's missing
and add it, the higher plants will be able to outcompete the algae again.