Hairy algae on plants

[Tango]

I have a saggitarius and sword plant in my 10 g aquarium. I have some sort of hairy green algae growing on the plant's leaves. It is really hard to get off of the plants. some of my fish try grazing on it, though I don't know how successful they are at getting it off (it's practically cemented onto the leaves!). But anyway, I would like to know if anyone knows what kind of algae this is, and what I can do about it. I am worried it might end up killing my plants.

[Kazenouta]

I have a saggitarius and sword plant in my 10 g aquarium. I have some sort of hairy green algae growing on the plant's leaves. It is really hard to get off of the plants. some of my fish try grazing on it, though I don't know how successful they are at getting it off (it's practically cemented onto the leaves!). But anyway, I would like to know if anyone knows what kind of algae this is, and what I can do about it. I am worried it might end up killing my plants.

I had this problem before I started keeping any Otos in my 16g but luckily now they take care of it right quick. Before the Otos I would take some electric toothbrush heads and gently brush the leaves of my sword until the algae came off. It wasn't terribly difficult and really was worth the time for the health of my plants.

[Tango]

I did have ottos at one point (unfortunately they died after an illness was introduced into my tank), but they didn't remove very much algae off of the plants. Generally they only ate the stuff on the walls and decor.
The toothbrush head idea sounds like a very good idea. It was only the head you used? Not the actual electric toothbrush on (that would harm the plants, wouldn't it?).

[Kazenouta]

I did have ottos at one point (unfortunately they died after an illness was introduced into my tank), but they didn't remove very much algae off of the plants. Generally they only ate the stuff on the walls and decor.
The toothbrush head idea sounds like a very good idea. It was only the head you used? Not the actual electric toothbrush on (that would harm the plants, wouldn't it?).

I'm not sure if it would harm the plants or not actually. But...putting an electrified toothbrush into a tank of water sounds like a recipe for a zap :hmm3grin2orange: You could use a normal tooth brush although I think the circular shape of the electric heads really lends itself to this type of thing. Just be gentlethumbs2:

[domjd05]

welcome to the world of planted tanks...

you may want to (if possible) simultaneously siphon out the algae that's being removed, as they are full of spores, and when the algae is disturbed it simply releases the spores, and.. yep, more algae.