Hair algae affecting my tank in lots of ways

Nemo the Clownfish

I've done every suggestion that's been made to me. I increased the water flow; I put less strong lighting in; and a few other things that I can't remember Oh, I re-covered the back of the tank. I also tried the toothbrush method of removing the algae but it didn't work for me. I'll try it again.

I really think too much light was the problem. Some of the algae seems to have receded slightly. I hope it keeps on doing that. It has turned my tank upside down.

SnailM

Sorry about your algae problem. What are you water parameters? How often do you do water changes? Do you have live plants in the tank? Live plants are good as they compete with algae for the nutrients. And water changes also help reduce available nutrients.

Also, would you consider putting in an algae eating fish? I've had the Siamese algae eater before, and I personally think those guys do a really good job in cleaning up algae.
Just make sure that you get the real Siamese aglae eater if you consider buying one. There are chinese algae eaters that I would not recommend getting. They get agressive once they get older and they also stop eating algae but start taking chunks out of your fish instead.
There are also Siamese aglae eater lookalikes, which are not as good at eating algae and tend to be a bit more agressive and not necessarily suitable for a community tank.

Nemo the Clownfish

Thank you SnailM. My pH has gone up recently to 7.6. I'll have to check the KH. Nitrates are also up at 20 ppm. I do a weekly 25% pwc and have a good amount of plants.

I have been considering getting three Otocinclus, but the problem is not as dire as I may have made it sound. The algae may even be receding since I took the lights down some. With any luck I've got it stopped.

fish monger

I have problems with hair algae when I leave the lights on too long. Seems like more of a time than brightness issue.

fishkid

Try reducing the photoperiod and light intensity. Otos probably won't eat filamentous algae. I haven't had much luck getting anything to eat it, so you'll have to find a way to stop it from growing.

fish monger

I have heard that tadpoles will eat hair algae, but then you frogs to deal with.

Nemo the Clownfish

I still think the light is the big problem. The old T12s weren't bright enough and it looks like the Telanthera that I bought to help the tank is dying, presumeably from lack of light. So, in a last-ditch effort, I have put the CFLs back on the tank and used a piece of thin white plastic (trash bag) to cut down the light intensity. Hope it works.

The hair algae has not receded as I had hoped, but it is mostly limited to the original infestation. I'm planning to work on the tank tomorrow morning and see if I can't get some of the algae out of there.

Byron

Nitrates at 20ppm is high for a natural planted tank, so i swold increase the weekly water change from 25% to 50% and vacuum the open substrate. This nitrate suggests high organics/nutrients and with bright light this is bound to be problematic.

As someone mentioned, otos do not eat these algaes, and getting a fish that might is risky as most of them get large and can have other issues.

Nemo the Clownfish

Thanks Byron.

Nemo the Clownfish

This has been a hectic week. I'm doiing a 50% pwc in the morning including Equilibrium and Seachem Flourish Comprehensive fertilizer. I'm dosing the fertilizer 1/4 teaspoon twice a week. The plants are not growing and the hair algae is spreading.

Can I up the fertilizer some, and how much and how many times a week?

Thank you very much

Nemo