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#1
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Green Hair Algae
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. Any help or advice! |
#2
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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. |
#3
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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. |
#4
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Green Hair Algae
"dpots" wrote in message om... 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. Any help or advice! I have noticed, and it has been posted here a number of times, that high levels of iron promote the growth of green hair algae. Are you dosing an iron supplement? Can you test your iron level? Robin P. |
#5
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Green Hair Algae
"dpots" wrote in message om... 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. Any help or advice! I have noticed, and it has been posted here a number of times, that high levels of iron promote the growth of green hair algae. Are you dosing an iron supplement? Can you test your iron level? Robin P. |
#6
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Green Hair Algae
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#7
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Green Hair Algae
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#9
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Green Hair Algae
All great suggestions, but also very different. Some additional
information is that my ph=7.6, temp=80, kh=140, substrate=75 pounds of fluorite, no additives or supplements provided. The diy CO2 seams to be working quite well as all of the plants seem to be growing nicely and are pearling and misting oxygen bubbles. I hope this new info helps. Thanks! Bill Beam wrote in message . .. On 27 Feb 2003 08:05:26 -0800, (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. Any help or advice! You're leaving your lights on too long. Limit to 8hrs a day. Wait a week and the hair algae will be gone. |
#10
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Green Hair Algae
dpots wrote:
All great suggestions, but also very different. Regarding your lights being on too long, I am not familiar with the reasons for that recommendation and will not comment. Some additional information is that my ph=7.6, temp=80, kh=140, substrate=75 pounds of fluorite, no additives or supplements provided. The diy CO2 seams to be working quite well as all of the plants seem to be growing nicely and are pearling and misting oxygen bubbles. Now here's what we can piece together: 60gallon tank, densly planted 160 watts flourescent lighting (reflectors?), 10 hours per day DIY CO2 External power filter with bubble-over return pH=7.6, kh=140 yields a CO2 level of 5.9 ppm at the time you measured using the calculator at http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm. Probably higher in the morning, lower at night. You have not mentioned fish load or Nitrate level. But I'll bet that Nitrates are near zero, and other nutrients are low as well, given that you are injecting CO2 and "all the plants seem to be growing nicely". They are using whatever nutrients are available in your tap water. Suggestions: 1. Read about PMDD he http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/ 2. Measure Nitrates before you start dosing KNO3. It's not safe to add nitrates to a tank with fish unless you know the level first. The target range for a planted tank is around 10ppm, you are probably under 5ppm. 3. High iron is indeed a possible cause of green hair algae. It certainly is in my tank. Contact your water department to request a water quality report, or test your iron. It seems unlikely that you have excess iron if you are not adding trace fertilizers AND your plants are growing. But if there is a high level in your tap water, that could be the source. |
#11
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Green Hair Algae
dpots wrote:
All great suggestions, but also very different. Regarding your lights being on too long, I am not familiar with the reasons for that recommendation and will not comment. Some additional information is that my ph=7.6, temp=80, kh=140, substrate=75 pounds of fluorite, no additives or supplements provided. The diy CO2 seams to be working quite well as all of the plants seem to be growing nicely and are pearling and misting oxygen bubbles. Now here's what we can piece together: 60gallon tank, densly planted 160 watts flourescent lighting (reflectors?), 10 hours per day DIY CO2 External power filter with bubble-over return pH=7.6, kh=140 yields a CO2 level of 5.9 ppm at the time you measured using the calculator at http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm. Probably higher in the morning, lower at night. You have not mentioned fish load or Nitrate level. But I'll bet that Nitrates are near zero, and other nutrients are low as well, given that you are injecting CO2 and "all the plants seem to be growing nicely". They are using whatever nutrients are available in your tap water. Suggestions: 1. Read about PMDD he http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/ 2. Measure Nitrates before you start dosing KNO3. It's not safe to add nitrates to a tank with fish unless you know the level first. The target range for a planted tank is around 10ppm, you are probably under 5ppm. 3. High iron is indeed a possible cause of green hair algae. It certainly is in my tank. Contact your water department to request a water quality report, or test your iron. It seems unlikely that you have excess iron if you are not adding trace fertilizers AND your plants are growing. But if there is a high level in your tap water, that could be the source. |
#12
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Green Hair Algae
Great information Dave. Here is some more input on my fish load. I
currently have 4 medium sized boesmani rainbows, 4 small iranian rainbows, 8 otos, 30 amano shrimp, 8 various corydoras. I am not sure what my nitrates are currently, as I am out of the test kits for Nitrates and have not ordered new ones yet. I believe they are low at this time. I will be getting a dry goods shipment from Big Al's soon with new test kits. As far as the iron goes, I have no idea what the levels are. I will try to get a report from the local water company and see what they say. Is there any reason why none of my otos or amano shrimp seem to be interested in eating this hair algae. They clean the driftwood and rocks just fine, but seem to leave the plants to fend for themselves. Thanks Dave Millman wrote in message ... dpots wrote: All great suggestions, but also very different. Regarding your lights being on too long, I am not familiar with the reasons for that recommendation and will not comment. Some additional information is that my ph=7.6, temp=80, kh=140, substrate=75 pounds of fluorite, no additives or supplements provided. The diy CO2 seams to be working quite well as all of the plants seem to be growing nicely and are pearling and misting oxygen bubbles. Now here's what we can piece together: 60gallon tank, densly planted 160 watts flourescent lighting (reflectors?), 10 hours per day DIY CO2 External power filter with bubble-over return pH=7.6, kh=140 yields a CO2 level of 5.9 ppm at the time you measured using the calculator at http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm. Probably higher in the morning, lower at night. You have not mentioned fish load or Nitrate level. But I'll bet that Nitrates are near zero, and other nutrients are low as well, given that you are injecting CO2 and "all the plants seem to be growing nicely". They are using whatever nutrients are available in your tap water. Suggestions: 1. Read about PMDD he http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/ 2. Measure Nitrates before you start dosing KNO3. It's not safe to add nitrates to a tank with fish unless you know the level first. The target range for a planted tank is around 10ppm, you are probably under 5ppm. 3. High iron is indeed a possible cause of green hair algae. It certainly is in my tank. Contact your water department to request a water quality report, or test your iron. It seems unlikely that you have excess iron if you are not adding trace fertilizers AND your plants are growing. But if there is a high level in your tap water, that could be the source. |
#13
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Green Hair Algae
Great information Dave. Here is some more input on my fish load. I
currently have 4 medium sized boesmani rainbows, 4 small iranian rainbows, 8 otos, 30 amano shrimp, 8 various corydoras. I am not sure what my nitrates are currently, as I am out of the test kits for Nitrates and have not ordered new ones yet. I believe they are low at this time. I will be getting a dry goods shipment from Big Al's soon with new test kits. As far as the iron goes, I have no idea what the levels are. I will try to get a report from the local water company and see what they say. Is there any reason why none of my otos or amano shrimp seem to be interested in eating this hair algae. They clean the driftwood and rocks just fine, but seem to leave the plants to fend for themselves. Thanks Dave Millman wrote in message ... dpots wrote: All great suggestions, but also very different. Regarding your lights being on too long, I am not familiar with the reasons for that recommendation and will not comment. Some additional information is that my ph=7.6, temp=80, kh=140, substrate=75 pounds of fluorite, no additives or supplements provided. The diy CO2 seams to be working quite well as all of the plants seem to be growing nicely and are pearling and misting oxygen bubbles. Now here's what we can piece together: 60gallon tank, densly planted 160 watts flourescent lighting (reflectors?), 10 hours per day DIY CO2 External power filter with bubble-over return pH=7.6, kh=140 yields a CO2 level of 5.9 ppm at the time you measured using the calculator at http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm. Probably higher in the morning, lower at night. You have not mentioned fish load or Nitrate level. But I'll bet that Nitrates are near zero, and other nutrients are low as well, given that you are injecting CO2 and "all the plants seem to be growing nicely". They are using whatever nutrients are available in your tap water. Suggestions: 1. Read about PMDD he http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/ 2. Measure Nitrates before you start dosing KNO3. It's not safe to add nitrates to a tank with fish unless you know the level first. The target range for a planted tank is around 10ppm, you are probably under 5ppm. 3. High iron is indeed a possible cause of green hair algae. It certainly is in my tank. Contact your water department to request a water quality report, or test your iron. It seems unlikely that you have excess iron if you are not adding trace fertilizers AND your plants are growing. But if there is a high level in your tap water, that could be the source. |
#14
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Green Hair Algae
Is there any reason why none of my otos or amano shrimp seem to be
interested in eating this hair algae. They clean the driftwood and rocks just fine, but seem to leave the plants to fend for themselves. Otos eat "flat" algae more than filamentous (hair) algae. Their sucker mouths are meant for scraping slime off rocks and such. Amano shrimp do eat filamentous algae. But I've found snails are the best for eating algae off plants. Basically, any snail that doesn't eat plants: pond snails, MTS, P. bridgesii, the little ramshorns, etc. Leigh http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/ |
#15
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Green Hair Algae
Is there any reason why none of my otos or amano shrimp seem to be
interested in eating this hair algae. They clean the driftwood and rocks just fine, but seem to leave the plants to fend for themselves. Otos eat "flat" algae more than filamentous (hair) algae. Their sucker mouths are meant for scraping slime off rocks and such. Amano shrimp do eat filamentous algae. But I've found snails are the best for eating algae off plants. Basically, any snail that doesn't eat plants: pond snails, MTS, P. bridgesii, the little ramshorns, etc. Leigh http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/ |
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