HAIR ALGAE..... aaargh!

[rageybug]

I have a bit of a hair algae problem. So far it is not too bad but left alone I'm sure it will be a disaster. There are a million and one websites that tell you how to get rid of it but I want to know from you people what ACTAUALLY works. My hermits and snails don't touch it so I guess I need a fish that eats it? Any ideas what would work for me? My tank info is listed below... thanks.

[Wild Turkey]

Cocoa suggested using a piece of velcro on a stick or something. Seemed like a gr8 idea.

[oldhead]

I have a bit of a hair algae problem. So far it is not too bad but left alone I'm sure it will be a disaster. There are a million and one websites that tell you how to get rid of it but I want to know from you people what ACTAUALLY works. My hermits and snails don't touch it so I guess I need a fish that eats it? Any ideas what would work for me? My tank info is listed below... thanks.


What are your water parameters? Water change schedule? Using any additives?

[rageybug]

My water is good and we do regular changes. We don't add anything to our tank. Just a mild hair algae problem we want to tackle.

[unleashed]

How old is you tank?

If it less than 6 months old then the hair algae is normal

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, if your tank is less than 6 months old its normal. keeping up on skimming and water changes will keep it down, and you can take the hook part of velcro and attach it to a stick and the algae will tangle in it and be easy to remove

[deep_blu]

as the tank matures, will the algae growth slow down? i also have a fairly young tank with a massive hair algae problem as of the last month. when can one expect to see the pink coraline growth on the glass?

[labnjab]

It will as the tank matures. but you have to do things to help fight it, as in reducing nutrients, and manual removal

[deep_blu]

thanx. i've checked my levels & all seems well but it just doesn't look so nice. will snails help?

[rageybug]

We have had the tank set up for almost a year and a half. We have never had hair algae until just recently. We were hoping to get some ideas here about what type of fish and/or invert might help with hair algae.

[rageybug]

I forgot to mention, our protein skimmer is on 24/7.

[cocoa_pleco]

in young tanks with the algae, dont use live animals for its removal, live animals are recommended for tanks that constantly have hair algae for years. skimming, water changes, and feeding slightly less will help it go away faster