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What's the best way to get rid of green thread/hair algae.
Having a problem with it on my wisteria and sag.

I think it's a nitrate problem. My reading is zero, ph around 6.7, kh 3. 96watt on 46 gallon.



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The way I've most commonly seen suggested for removing is to use a clean toothbrush, and wrap it around the threads. That wont't solve the problem though. [link=Here is]http://www.otocinclus.com/articles/algae.html" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] a good link on various algae types.
You might try increasing water changes (I know that doesn't make sense with low nitrATes) as well as increase the nitrAtes either thru addition of KNO3, or increasing the stocking of the tank.

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It only hurts when I breathe"

I do 20% weekly water changes religiously, not to mention smaller changes when I see something I don't like in the tank, I gravel wash an area that I might be working on.

Their is an inverse relationship between adding the KNO3 and stocking the tank so I guess it's one or the other.

This tank is a 46 gallon and currently has:

2 Angels (bigger than silver dollar size)
3 Blue Rams
15 Cardinals (would like to go to 25)
8 Rummynoses
5 Otos
4 Dwarf Plecos

Do you think the tank can handle 25 cards.












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Their is an inverse relationship between adding the KNO3 and stocking the tank so I guess it's one or the other

I understand where you're coming from but unfortunately it's not that easy, tetratech.

While it may seem increasing nitrates by incresing livestock is a simple solution actually it's not. Go back to the nitrogen cycle. Before fish waste becomes nitrate it starts as ammonia and then is changed to nitrite and then nitrate by our bacteria colonies. Problem is that while plants love ammonia so does algae. A small amount of ammonia is better for algae then an excess of nitrates or phosphates - they love the stuff. The plants and algae will use the ammonia before the bacteria can - in essense leaving you still short of nitrate. Without sufficient nitrate the alagae will get the lions share of the ammonia and flourish.

You can't kill algae. The way we set up our tanks for healthy plants is also good for algae. All you can do is tip the balance in favor of the plants and keep the algae down and as invisible as possible.

Your problem is that without nitrate your plants are not growing. I would bet you are adding some form of liquid fertilzer. Thread algae loves iron. Without any nitrate the plants can't utilize the iron, but the algae can.

Remove as much alagae as you can manually. Add nitrates in the form of KNO3. Get up to 5-10ppm and keep it there. If you are adding liquid ferts cut back to at least half until you have a handle on the algae. Give the plants what they need and they'll take care of the algae.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Thanks much bensaf!

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