How to remove hair algae

ken6217 · 01-07-2004, 03:48 PM

I have some hair algae here and there and find it hard to remove. I tried a toothbrush (brushing or twisting) and the algae usually stays on the leaf. I do have SAE's and Otto's but they don't seem to venture to the top half of the tank. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Ken

DanD · 01-07-2004, 08:01 PM

Rosy barbs and mollies are pretty good about eating hair algae. In fact, most of the barbs are. Bottom line tho, when you find that balance between light, nutrients, and CO2, the algae fades away.

IUnknown · 01-07-2004, 11:18 PM

Concentrate on growing the plants. Grow the plants faster than the algae. Even in the tank I maintained the least, if the plant got algae I would have enough new growth to trim the bottom of the plant and replant. If you have a low light tank and are having problems, bust out an old toothbrush.

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01-07-2004, 03:48 PM	#1
ken6217 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 153	I have some hair algae here and there and find it hard to remove. I tried a toothbrush (brushing or twisting) and the algae usually stays on the leaf. I do have SAE's and Otto's but they don't seem to venture to the top half of the tank. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks, Ken

01-07-2004, 08:01 PM	#2
DanD Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minneola, KS Posts: 14	Rosy barbs and mollies are pretty good about eating hair algae. In fact, most of the barbs are. Bottom line tho, when you find that balance between light, nutrients, and CO2, the algae fades away.

01-07-2004, 11:18 PM	#3
IUnknown Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA Posts: 651	Concentrate on growing the plants. Grow the plants faster than the algae. Even in the tank I maintained the least, if the plant got algae I would have enough new growth to trim the bottom of the plant and replant. If you have a low light tank and are having problems, bust out an old toothbrush.