What kind of algae is this and how do I kill it

wtyson · 11-09-2012, 01:41 AM

Shimagoma · 11-09-2012, 07:07 PM

looks like hair algae! imo

AUvet14 · 11-09-2012, 07:18 PM

It's hard to tell from the picture. Looks like maybe Cladophora. Manually remove as much as possible. I'm in the process of trying kill a small amount that somehow made it into my tank. I'm using spot treatments with H2O2 using a syringe. Make sure you turn off any filters and powerheads while you do the treatment. It has seemed to help to an extent. It might take repeated treatments. I'm going to try spot treating either daily or every other day for maybe a week and see how that works. It's supposed to be one the most difficult algae to eradicate, as it thrives in the same conditions that aquatic plants do. There might be some fish that will eat it, but that's not exactly practical for me to get more fish just to get rid of it, especially when they're fish that I don't want in my aquarium. I hope this helps. I have yet to find a definitive treatment to kill it. I'm just doing the best I can.

AUvet14 · 11-14-2012, 01:33 AM

To give you an update, it appears that daily spot treatments with 3% H2O2 are helping both on cladophora or spirogyra, I'm beginning to suspect I might have the latter, as well as on BBA. I'm going to continue daily spot treatments until I feel confident that I may have defeated the algae. Peraistence and patience is what it will take I think.

Sent from my HTC One S

11-09-2012, 07:07 PM	#2
Shimagoma Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Cockeysville Posts: 102	looks like hair algae! imo __________________ personal site Goodies shop! 10gal danios 29gal lowtech

11-14-2012, 01:33 AM	#4
AUvet14 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 442	To give you an update, it appears that daily spot treatments with 3% H2O2 are helping both on cladophora or spirogyra, I'm beginning to suspect I might have the latter, as well as on BBA. I'm going to continue daily spot treatments until I feel confident that I may have defeated the algae. Peraistence and patience is what it will take I think. Sent from my HTC One S __________________ -Rusty Rusty's 30 High Tech w/ DIY Solid Walnut Stand and Canopy Rusty's GLA 36-L First Iwagumi Build Rusty's 10 Gallon Low Tech Shrimp Tank

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11-09-2012, 01:41 AM	#1
wtyson Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Museum District Posts: 6	What kind of algae is this and how do I kill it

11-09-2012, 07:18 PM	#3
AUvet14 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 442	It's hard to tell from the picture. Looks like maybe Cladophora. Manually remove as much as possible. I'm in the process of trying kill a small amount that somehow made it into my tank. I'm using spot treatments with H2O2 using a syringe. Make sure you turn off any filters and powerheads while you do the treatment. It has seemed to help to an extent. It might take repeated treatments. I'm going to try spot treating either daily or every other day for maybe a week and see how that works. It's supposed to be one the most difficult algae to eradicate, as it thrives in the same conditions that aquatic plants do. There might be some fish that will eat it, but that's not exactly practical for me to get more fish just to get rid of it, especially when they're fish that I don't want in my aquarium. I hope this helps. I have yet to find a definitive treatment to kill it. I'm just doing the best I can.