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Hey guys...

At my LFS, they have a discus tank with a bunch if hair algae.

How do i grow this in my tank?

Is there any benefits on it?

WIll my pleco (common) eat it ?

WHat if i dont want it anymore, how can i get it to go away?

Also, i like my aquarium dark, and not full of light. Right now, there is only one 15W lightbulb being run in the tank (The other fell out) and i pue pieces of paper in front of the lights to make it darker. Will this effect what im trying to do (grow algae?)

I have it an I cannot get rid of it. It is not cool, it is ugly. Nothing will eat this stuff. (I did hear that flying foxes or something will eat it though).

I will be more than happy to send you something in my tank that has it on it....that's all it takes to spread this algae...then in order to get rid of it...I think you have to break down the tank and bleach everything! ]:|

I HATE IT I HATE IT I HATE IT I HATE IT I HATE IT I HATE IT

There's nothing like having Don King lookin plants...

Edit: And no the plecs won't eat it!]

Last edited by ~JAMIE~ at 01-Jan-2005 07:35

YOu really dont want it its a pest. Ones it starts to grow it will keep on growing. If you really want some then ask the lfs if you can have some cause they would probably be more than happy to give you some. I had some at one time and i removed it by hand and i never had it since. I had a pleco in the tank and he didnt touch it. If you looking for something exotic to feed your plec try lettuce, cucumber, etc etc.

fish`1

It is a prefference thing, if you like it, then leave it. It will not harm your tank in any way, unless you have plants, as it will grow on them as well. As for its uses, well it will help keep the nitrAtes down, just like any other live plant will. It will also help oxygenate your tank more, again just like any other plant will. It will create a nice hiding place for any new fry, it can be an attrative addition to your tank as well. I have several breeding tanks that I have the entire substrate covered in the stuff. As it also helps to collect infusoria for the baby fry to eat. It is a great spawning cover for tetras as well. I spawn my tetras in tanks that have it about 3 inches thick on the bottom.

As for getting it going, just over feed your tank for a while, and you will start to get it growning. Just be cautious, and watch your tank parameters/levels, and be sure to keep up on your water changes while doing so. Don't let the ammonia or nitrAte levels get high.

As for getting rid of it, the best way is with rosey barbs. They love the stuff.

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There is always a bigger fish...

will clown loaches graze on it?

I have clown loaches in one of my tanks that I let it run rampid for a while, as I was getting it ready for some tetra breeding. They never touch the stuff in my tank. As there are two in there, and about half the tank is now about 1-2 inches thick with it.

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There is always a bigger fish...

No, I'm pretty sure they won't. Clown loaches aren't algae eaters, and most fish can't or won't eat hair algae, anyways.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."