Aquarium-How To Get Rid Of Green Hair Algae

Green Hair Algae - Derbesia

Green Hair Algae (abbreviated as GHA for this article) - Derbesia - is a form of algae that looks like its name. It is usually dark green, grows quite long if left unattended and spreads across your tank rapidly. Once this problem has begun, it can get out of hand in a matter of weeks. And soon you start to look at your saltwater tank in disgust, thinking "Why me? What did I do to deserve this plague?"

A number of things may have contributed to it gaining a foothold in your system. Your nitrates might be too high, your phosphates may be too high (.03 or less is the goal), your aquarium lighting has recently been replaced or perhaps your bulbs are so old that the spectrum of light has shifted, fueling algae growth.

Okay, so your water is great. To get rid of the algae, you are going to have to prune it back manually. Fortunately, you can get some help from ocean dwellers like blue legged hermit crabs, but like anything, when you have too much of something, you have to get radical to bring it within manageable levels. Nothing good ever happens quickly. This is going to take some specific attention on your part for a few weeks, but you can overcome it.

You can start by ripping it out in bulk, this will prevent it from spreading, and you give your hermit crabs something they can actually keep up with. Also recommended is to get some snails to help with the battle. Turbo snails are a good choice for this. Foxface, Blennies, Yellow Tang fish, and other invertebrates including the Green Sea Urchin, which feed primarily on algae are all good choices, and will work to beat Green Hair Algae overgrowth.

Clean your protein skimmer completely. Clean the pump thoroughly and make sure your air intake is clear. Clean your collection cup often, so you don't have slime build up hindering it. You want to skim out as much of the Dissolved Organic Compounds (DOC) before they can break down in your tank and add to the Green Hair Algae's reproduction cycle. Remember nitrates fuel algae growth. You want 10ppm or less to avoid feeding Green Hair Algae. If your protein skimmer is under powered for your aquarium, consider upgrading to a better unit.

If you'll keep up with these cleaning processes for a few weeks, along with your regular maintenance, and correct water parameters you will notice less and less Green Hair Algae in your tank, until one day your tank is pristine again and under control. If you have any further questions regarding anything aquarium related including saltwater aquarium and freshwater aquariums, please visit us at OC Reef Aquatics

Cichlids- Avoid Black Algae In Your Fish Tank

Cichlids- Avoid Black Algae In Your Fish Tank

One of the major explanations why numerous individuals on a global basis have become infatuated by fish tanks is that they can give you an easily attained basis of relief and leisure for a small amount of your time, outlay and exertion. Considering everything, what other hobby can give you similar benefits that a fish tank can, over the same period of time for similar expenditure?

One aspect that people tend to overlook is the necessity of fish tank care so that the duty of the proper cleaning is carried out to ensure a proper hygiene level which is an essential for the health and well being of your pet fish. If you neglect this essential cleaning regime, you put your fish in jeopardy and end up with a cloudy fish tank. There is no other factor that has a more important effect and plays an essential part in ensuring that your fish along with other aquatic animals and plants maintain a high level of health and happiness which in turn gives us the benefit of watching them for many years to come.

Over time, black algae can form on the sides of the tank and along with uneaten food which accumulates in the gravel at the bottom of the tank will become a cleaning issue. The solution is to confront the likely dilemma prior to it occurring by using fish which eat algae and fish which swim and feed at the bottom of the tank, cat fish are an example of these species. These help in your fight against debris building up on the bottom and algae being allowed to get out of control on the sides of the tank.

 

There are certain aquarium life that we class as scavengers of various forms, ranging from small to moderate sises of fish to little crabs. All of these creatures do a certain task and you will have to make the right choice. The most of these will gorge themselves on the black algae which in turn helps to limit it. You need to be aware how the various species get along with each other, as some especially the larger species have the tendency to chase, harass and even eat the smaller ones.

With these points taken, you will need to keep an eye on the chemistry of the aquarium water and take out say 10% and add 10% fresh water at a time. Fish abhor huge changes hence the recommendation to gradually change it instead of all in one go. This important time spent on fish tank care will benefit you in the long run and prevent problems such as black algae and having a cloudy fish tank causing your fish to become unwell.


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