"Dave M. Picklyk" wrote in message . ca...
I really need to get rid of some hair algae growing on the driftwood and
plants. Right now I'm controlling it by removing infected leaves, scrubbing
driftwood etc. I have a 15 gallon aquarium, do weekly 25 percent water
changes, 0 phospates, 0 nitrates, adding only iron and trace elements to the
water, only a couple measely plants--I've just added C02 a few days ago and
I will be adding tons more plants. Will the addition of more plants severely
out-compete the algae? I have 2 corys, 3 otos, and a beta fish. My tank is
too small for SAEs, I don't really like shrimp or snails, florida flag fish
can take chunks outa my plants, ameca splendens (butterfly goodieds) get to
big for the tank and might bully the beta...

please help?

The best herbivore for hair algae is the Amano Shrimp.
They will mix well with Cardinals.

Adding a full tank of plants from the start is the best way to prevent
algae from getting a hold. But PO4 and NO3 need to be NO3: 5-10ppm and
PO4 over 0.3ppm to 0.4ppm at least 2x a week.
CO2 will help a good deal.
Trim off and remove what's there now, then do a water change, then
correct conditions, then add lots of plants and shrimps.

Careful about trusting test kits unless of very good quality for NO3
especially.

Regards,
Tom Barr


Thanx!!
Dave.