How to remove hair algae from an aquarium
What does it look like?
- Green / Brown / Black Hair like matter growing on plants and clinging to glass and ornament
What are the fish doing?
- Unlikely to cause behavioural changes in your fish
What should I do?
- Treat tank with chosen treatment recommended below to break down the algae
- Test your aquarium water for high nitrate levels and treat accordingly
- Check filter for blockages
- Consider preventative measures like regular treatment to stop future outbreaks
Why does this happen and how do I prevent it?
The most common types of hair algae are Cladophora, Oedogonium, Vaucheria and Spirogyra and these will range in colour from green or brown to black in some cases.
There are several factors that can cause excessive growth of algae and although an Anti Hair Algae treatment will remove algae, the causing factors must be addressed to prevent further outbreaks.
Major influencing factors are :
- Over exposure to light (especially natural sun light) so it is important to control lighting levels (using a timer to mimic a natural day night cycle) and consider the positioning of your tank as aquariums should never be positioned in direct sunlight
- Excess nutrients in the tank can be controlled by introducing live plants to use up some of those and regular water changes to reduce these further
Other areas to consider to help prevent further outbreaks and aid treatment:
- Maintaining adequate filtration and completing regular maintenance
- Test water regularly (high nitrate levels will encourage algal blooms)
- Keeping plants healthy by feeding with Flora Boost
– with no plant you can use Anti Hair Algae treatment regularly as a preventative measure - Introducing species that will eat algae (i.e. Bristlenose, Catfish varieties and Dwarf Otocinclus)
What treatment should I use?
Anti Hair Algae
Hair Algae, whether it is green, black or brown, is an unsightly nuisance in your aquarium. It will grown on any surface and prevent plants from flourishing.
Find out more >Specifically designed for hair algae removal
or
Keep It Clean
Waste build up and unsightly algae are a common aquarium nuisance. Keep it Clean Tablets make key nutrients unavailable to algae, starving them out of existence, and break down waste to create the perfect environment for fish.
Find out more >For hair algae, sludge and enhanced plant growth
Use with any of the above
Flora Boost
Many of the nutrients which are essential for healthy plant growth are not present in the artificial aquarium environment. Flora Boost will ensure optimum plant growth without stimulating algae growth.
Find out more >Not what you are looking for? Back to Diagnose What's Wrong >
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Treatment dosage Calculator
Testing your aquarium water
Doing a water change
