Bad Algae

[robertprice]

I often get questions about what causes and how to get rid of hair algae. Hair algae is caused by excessive nitrates, excessive phosphates, overfeeding, poop in the gravel, infrequent water changes, and too much light. If you have it, cut your wattage down, feed less, and don't keep lights on for more than 8 hours a day. WildfFish and plants don't live in actinic showcase conditions. Vacuum gravel often, and test for nitrates and phosphates in your tank and tap water.

Most standard algae remedies don't kill all hair algae. Otos and snails make tracks in it, but almost never eradicate it. The two fish that do it best are American Flag Fish and Prochilodus insignis.