Hair-like things??

[Nemo6292]

So. As some of y'all know I've been asking slot of questions... But I suppose this is what this sites about... Anyways, I've noticed that I have little hair-like things growing off my plants which are fake plants. One is really big. And I'm sure they was not there when I put them in the tank. My tank is in the cycling phase now. Anyone know what these might be?? Bacteria??

 

[Rhino]

Pics would help but it is more than likely some type of algae. Do you have your lights on while you are cycling? If so how long do you keep them on for?

 

[Nemo6292]

I leave them off through the day. But I turn them on at night just long enough to do a water change and look at the 3 zebra danios that's in there. Maybe 1-2 hours out of the day. These things are white and too small to take a pic of.

 

[Nemo6292]

If it is algae beginning to form. What should I do?? I've heard ppl talking about an algae "outbreak" and it sounds like a pretty big issue. Any thoughts on what I should do if it is algae?

 

[librarygirl]

Does it look like this? Algae in the Planted Aquarium-- Guitarfish

You can just take the plants out during a water change and wipe them off in the old tank water then put them back in. It's probably from the tank cycling (raised ammonia levels, etc), it should go away once the cycle is done I think.

 

[Nemo6292]

Is it something I should worry bout?? I'm thinking of getting a uv bulb, not sure if they are uv or not, I know for sure they are blue bulbs. Would that effect it??

 

[aqua_chem]

We really do need pictures to give you any useful advice. That being said, the blue bulbs are not in the UV spectrum unless labeled such, and will not help the situation if this is an algae problem.

 

[joshdahlquist]

It is probably hair actual, it is more common than you think

 

[Nemo6292]

What about the stuff they make to go into the water for algae. I'm not saying that's what it is yet, just for future references, will the algae stuff work???

 

[Rhino]

What about the stuff they make to go into the water for algae. I'm not saying that's what it is yet, just for future references, will the algae stuff work???

The algae stuff does work but treating with chemicals is not the way to go that is a short cut that will lead to tank failure later down the road. Find and treat the problem not the symptoms.