Hello! I have a 38 gallon bowfront and have had it set up and running since December. I have several live plants and fish and it's thriving pretty well. I have had green hair algae growing on my centerpiece wood decoration and no where else. It really actually looks pretty cook and my fish, especially my red tail shark, seem to enjoy it. Is it something I should remove? Can it hurt my live plants or cause any other problems?
Is green hair algae bad or harmful?
- Thread starter rbell831
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BBradbury
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rb...
Don't worry about some algae. It's really a sign of a healthy tank. Algae, under control, is as good a water filter as there is. You want to avoid feeding your fish too much flaked food, especially food with high phosphate. Algae thrives in water with high nitrate and phosphate. Change most of the tank water every few days and add some floating plants, like Water sprite and Hornwort, this will keep algae from becoming a problem.
B
Don't worry about some algae. It's really a sign of a healthy tank. Algae, under control, is as good a water filter as there is. You want to avoid feeding your fish too much flaked food, especially food with high phosphate. Algae thrives in water with high nitrate and phosphate. Change most of the tank water every few days and add some floating plants, like Water sprite and Hornwort, this will keep algae from becoming a problem.
B
Thanks so much! I will keep it trimmed down since it is getting so long and try some floating plants. It seems to only be growing on my center wood piece and not attaching to my live plants, so that's good. I just really enjoy the way it looks and my fish seem to enjoy it.
whatsgoodm8
Aquarium Advice Regular
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Sorry, I don't have any experience with this kind of algae. Just wanted to say your tank looks really nice. I like the colour of the substrate and of the darker plants 
if you decide to keep it be sure you stay on top of it as it can become out of control fast.
one thing I do suggest is check your phosphate levels green hair is a good indicator that high phosphates are present fueling the growth , it can look nice in a planted tank but it can also become a nusense if not kept under control .
one thing I do suggest is check your phosphate levels green hair is a good indicator that high phosphates are present fueling the growth , it can look nice in a planted tank but it can also become a nusense if not kept under control .
dcutl002
Aquarium Advice Addict
Get an old toothbrush and twirl the algae around it and remove as much as possible. Check your Nitrates - I'll bet they are high and if they are consider water consistent water changes.
flchamp89
Aquarium Advice Addict
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I cant tell from the picture. But id make sure it's gha and not clado. They are often confused. Triggers for clado are different than gha. Need to make sure what you have so you can correct the root of the issue. Too me kinda looks more like clado.
Great time to learn about the two. Imo excess nutrients and or phosphates is rarely if ever a cause of algae.
Great time to learn about the two. Imo excess nutrients and or phosphates is rarely if ever a cause of algae.
dcutl002
Aquarium Advice Addict
I like to turn the filter off, grab a syringe full of H2O2, apply it to the algae and watch it fizz. ?
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