Hair algae

M

mpx

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Dec 31, 2002
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I've got a pretty big problem w/my hair algae. It's green & all over the gravel. I don't want to get rid of it manualy 'cause it is a pain & I usually throw a big chunk of the gravel that the algae is stuck to.

Right now i have rainbows, neons, platys, plecos, & dojo loaches. My tank is also heavily planted.

What's a good fish to use?
 
I've read several times that Rosy Barbs are supposed to be the best for this. I have flagffish that do a good job too but they are not supposed to be as good community fish.
 
The best of all algae eating fish would be the Siamese Algae Eater.....but.......you need to really read up on them and know what they look like because there are a few other fish that are VERY similar, but will in no way help you with your algae problem....

The SAE will eat most types of algae, including the dreaded hair algae and red algae.....they do need a decent size tank as they are quite active from what I have read. They do NOT become aggressive like the chinese algae eater is known to do.

here's a few sites to check them out.... http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/sae.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/saes.htm

Good luck finding one if you decide you want to get them.....this place sells them, but with shipping it really isn't worth the cost of just buying one or two... http://www.****************/catalog_pages/wild/algae_eater_siamese.htm
 
Emg said:
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The SAE will eat most types of algae, including the dreaded hair algae and red algae.....they do need a decent size tank as they are quite active from what I have read. They do NOT become aggressive like the chinese algae eater is known to do.
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In my experience SAE's do not eat hair alge. They are best known for eating brush algae and did a knock up job on a log I had that was getting overgrown with BBA. They never ate a single strand of my hair algae. Amano and Cherry shrimp are supposed to eat it also .......
 
No matter how many alage eating fish you get your still gonna have algae problems. You need to balance your tank out and get rid of excess nutrients, hopefully by getting your plants very healthy. Algae eaters help some.....but are no subtitute for tank maintenance.
 
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