hair algae

[clowninround]

I am getting some hair algae in the main. Just a few patches so far. Checked the phosphates and they are at .25....so I am mixing up 20g to do a w/c....what else can I do? What eats this ugly stuff?

 

[electrikat]

We had it pretty bad in our 20g. We started pulling it out every day and added an extra 10 hermits to the tank. After about a week of this, it just stopped growing. I don't know if it was the crabs, or if by pulling it out, we interrupted the growing cycle/breeding cycle. I don't know how it spreads obviously , but you get the picture.

 

[clowninround]

what kinda hermits? I am planning on the water change in the morning and I am pulling the 3 rocks to scrub in the old tank water, maybe this will help. It's not bad yet but one patch is growing next to some zoo's so I better pull the rocks and go ahead with the dirty work

 

[gooyferret]

Blue leg hermits and emerald crabs should do the trick. I have found if you pick at it it will spread all over, i would recommend water changes and hermits and emeralds or removing the rock from the tank and using a tooth brush to scrub a little off. HTH

 

[Bearfan]

I had it bad! It took me a while to rid it all. I added emerald crabs, blue legged hermits, scarlet hermits, turbo grazer and then manually removed the larger patches.

 

[Mrbill]

Just yesterday I took all the rocks (about 60-70 lbs) out of my tank and used a brand new toilet scrubber to get all the hair algae off. Also cleaned all pumps and skimmer, added new carbon, and did a 20 gallon water change (in a 46 gallon tank).

Tank looks good this morning, but I am very fearful that the stuff will be back before I know it. This never-ending battle is wearing me out.

 

[maxamillion]

you'll win... I mean come on... you are a Human... you are getting rid of a PLANT.... lol... no but seriously you will win.

 

[Mrbill]

Didn't you ever see Swamp Thing?