hair algae taking care of itself?

MD2B · 01-31-2004, 10:49 PM

I am new to this forum but have been reading posts for a while. I had an outbreak of algae, and have stopped any ferts for about two weeks and have tested my phosphates and those are zero and my nitrates are about 15 ppm.

The algae i have is thread algae i believe. Its as long as 5-6 cm and is a grayish green color. I have been doing regular water changes trying to get the nitrates down even lower.

My question is, once the nitrates are down, should the algae go away by itself or will i have to manually remove it. It's everywhere, so manually removing it would be a real pain. I also was wondering if any of those algae remedies in a bottle are harmful to plants.

Momotaro · 02-01-2004, 01:34 AM

Welcome to the board MD2B!

Just by your description of the color of the algae, I am thinking it may be staghorn algae. Nothing will eat staghorn algae, and there is no real safe algaecide. The only ways to remove staghorn algae, if it is staghorn algae, is either manually or through patience.

One of the problems you are having is the fact that your phosphates are at 0! We plant keepers like to maintain a phosphate level of around 1ppm. We like nitrates too! Your nitrates are not too high at 15ppm. A ratio of 10:1 (nitrates:phosphates) are what many planted hobbyists try to maintain.

Planted aquariums are about balance. Once you hit it in your aquarium, things will be fine!

Mike

MD2B · 02-01-2004, 01:46 AM

Do I need to try to raise the phosphates? If so, how? I guess my question is, will the algae die off with the water conditions being right?

aquaverde · 02-01-2004, 02:39 AM

Here's a good place to start:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1188

02-01-2004, 01:34 AM	#2
Momotaro Doesn't like Kool-Aid (View User Tanks) PTrader: (52/100%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hawthorne, New Jersey Posts: 10,108	Welcome to the board MD2B! Just by your description of the color of the algae, I am thinking it may be staghorn algae. Nothing will eat staghorn algae, and there is no real safe algaecide. The only ways to remove staghorn algae, if it is staghorn algae, is either manually or through patience. One of the problems you are having is the fact that your phosphates are at 0! We plant keepers like to maintain a phosphate level of around 1ppm. We like nitrates too! Your nitrates are not too high at 15ppm. A ratio of 10:1 (nitrates:phosphates) are what many planted hobbyists try to maintain. Planted aquariums are about balance. Once you hit it in your aquarium, things will be fine! Mike __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

02-01-2004, 02:39 AM	#4
aquaverde Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mid-Hudson Valley, New York Posts: 1,409	Here's a good place to start: http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1188 __________________ James

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01-31-2004, 10:49 PM	#1
MD2B Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2	I am new to this forum but have been reading posts for a while. I had an outbreak of algae, and have stopped any ferts for about two weeks and have tested my phosphates and those are zero and my nitrates are about 15 ppm. The algae i have is thread algae i believe. Its as long as 5-6 cm and is a grayish green color. I have been doing regular water changes trying to get the nitrates down even lower. My question is, once the nitrates are down, should the algae go away by itself or will i have to manually remove it. It's everywhere, so manually removing it would be a real pain. I also was wondering if any of those algae remedies in a bottle are harmful to plants.

02-01-2004, 01:46 AM	#3
MD2B Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2	Do I need to try to raise the phosphates? If so, how? I guess my question is, will the algae die off with the water conditions being right?