Hair Algae : How To Eradicate This Pest From Your Marine Aquarium
This is a guide on tackling Derbesia sp, or as its more commonly known, Hair Algae. At some point in time, almost all marine aquarium hobbyists had to deal with green hair algae problems.
Welcome to the nightmare that is Derbesia sp, common name, Hair Algae. Almost everybody in the marine aquarium hobby has had green hairy problems at some point in time.
It starts off small, maybe a few patches here and there. And in a matter of weeks, you have a full blown hair algae problem. You'll see it on your live rock, substrate, tank glass and power heads, just everywhere.
Hair algae is a nightmare than too many hobbyists can attest too. Manual removal seems utterly useless as it will just keep coming back eventually.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can deal with this plague-like algae. The key to fighting off this menace is in nutrient control. If they are spreading all over your tank, it is a sign that your nutrient levels are too high. They can also produce energy from light as they are photosynthetic, and most tanks have lights.
The two key nutrients that are causing you headaches over this problem are nitrates and phosphates. These nutrients can come from a number of different sources. The main sources we are concerned with are fish foods, fish waste and the water that is used for the aquarium. Nitrates and phosphates must be reduced drastically to overcome hair algae.
Firstly, is the water you use treated tap water or RO/DI water? Tap water has both of nitrates and phosphates, in an effort to lower these two you should start using RO/DI water. After that, lower your feeding frequency and amount.
Siphon out any fish waste, fish food and detritus you can see. Remove all underwater equipment such as your power heads, protein skimmer and clean them up.
The next step is to drastically lower the amount of nitrates and phosphates in your aquarium. Removing nitrates is easy, water changes.
As for phosphates, you need a good phosphate remover, three brands i recommend are Rowaphos, Phosguard and Phosban.
Some invertebrates consume hair algae and are a great additions to your tank. Turbo snails, nerite snails and the green emerald crab all consume hair algae and are a worthy addition during this time.
Your lighting can be viewed upon as a source for the hair algae outbreak as well. If they are too old they may be changing in spectrum. If your bulbs are old then you may need to get some new bulbs as hair algae does well in the red spectrum.
Hair algae removal products can help accelerate the process. However, such products are short-term fixes at best. Because it doesn't address the source of the problem. Which brings us back to elevated nutrient levels all over again.
Welcome to the nightmare that is Derbesia sp, common name, Hair Algae. Almost everybody in the marine aquarium hobby has had green hairy problems at some point in time.
It starts off small, maybe a few patches here and there. And in a matter of weeks, you have a full blown hair algae problem. You'll see it on your live rock, substrate, tank glass and power heads, just everywhere.
Hair algae is a nightmare than too many hobbyists can attest too. Manual removal seems utterly useless as it will just keep coming back eventually.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can deal with this plague-like algae. The key to fighting off this menace is in nutrient control. If they are spreading all over your tank, it is a sign that your nutrient levels are too high. They can also produce energy from light as they are photosynthetic, and most tanks have lights.
The two key nutrients that are causing you headaches over this problem are nitrates and phosphates. These nutrients can come from a number of different sources. The main sources we are concerned with are fish foods, fish waste and the water that is used for the aquarium. Nitrates and phosphates must be reduced drastically to overcome hair algae.
Firstly, is the water you use treated tap water or RO/DI water? Tap water has both of nitrates and phosphates, in an effort to lower these two you should start using RO/DI water. After that, lower your feeding frequency and amount.
Siphon out any fish waste, fish food and detritus you can see. Remove all underwater equipment such as your power heads, protein skimmer and clean them up.
The next step is to drastically lower the amount of nitrates and phosphates in your aquarium. Removing nitrates is easy, water changes.
As for phosphates, you need a good phosphate remover, three brands i recommend are Rowaphos, Phosguard and Phosban.
Some invertebrates consume hair algae and are a great additions to your tank. Turbo snails, nerite snails and the green emerald crab all consume hair algae and are a worthy addition during this time.
Your lighting can be viewed upon as a source for the hair algae outbreak as well. If they are too old they may be changing in spectrum. If your bulbs are old then you may need to get some new bulbs as hair algae does well in the red spectrum.
Hair algae removal products can help accelerate the process. However, such products are short-term fixes at best. Because it doesn't address the source of the problem. Which brings us back to elevated nutrient levels all over again.
About the Author:
Gabriela Desouyez has been in the ornamental fish trade for over 20 years, giving her hands on experience with a wide range of marine fishes. Do visit her page for a picture guide on Algae Control as well as other guides on Hair Algae.
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