This is a guide on tackling Derbesia sp, or as its more commonly known, Hair Algae. Green hair algae is one of the most common problems faced by all marine aquarium hobbyists.
It starts off inconspicuously enough, a few green strands on your live rock. And in a matter of weeks, you have a full blown hair algae problem. You'll see it on your live rock, substrate, tank glass and power heads, just everywhere.
Hair algae is a nightmare than too many hobbyists can attest too. Pull them out all you want, they'll keep coming back.
Thankfully, there are effective measures you can take against these pests. When we are looking to get rid of hair algae, we generally have to look at our nutrient levels. If they are spreading all over your tank, it is a sign that your nutrient levels are too high. They are also photosynthetic, able to produce energy from light, and most tanks have a light fixture in place.
The two key nutrients that are causing you headaches over this problem are nitrates and phosphates. These two nutrients can come from a few sources. The water that you use, fish food and fish waste. To overcome hair algae, both nitrates and phosphates must be reduced drastically.
Firstly, is the water you use treated tap water or RO/DI water? Tap water has both of nitrates and phosphates, in an effort to lower these two you should start using RO/DI water. Next, feed your fishes less and in lower frequencies.
Remove any and all uneaten foods, fish wastes and detritus from the aquarium. Remove all your equipment (protein skimmers, pumps) and give them a good scrubbing.
The next step is to drastically lower the amount of nitrates and phosphates in your aquarium. Perform water changes to remove nitrates.
As for phosphates, you need a good phosphate remover, three brands i recommend are Rowaphos, Phosguard and Phosban.
Mother nature has gifted us with a few creatures that consume hair algae. Green Emerald Crabs, nerite snails and turbo snails all eat hair algae.
Your lighting can be viewed upon as a source for the hair algae outbreak as well. If they are too old they may be changing in spectrum. Hair algae likes the red spectrum so change your bulbs just in case.
There are some products on the market that will accelerate the algae removal process. However, such products are short-term fixes at best. Because it doesn't fix the source of the problem. Which leads us back to nutrients again.
It starts off inconspicuously enough, a few green strands on your live rock. And in a matter of weeks, you have a full blown hair algae problem. You'll see it on your live rock, substrate, tank glass and power heads, just everywhere.
Hair algae is a nightmare than too many hobbyists can attest too. Pull them out all you want, they'll keep coming back.
Thankfully, there are effective measures you can take against these pests. When we are looking to get rid of hair algae, we generally have to look at our nutrient levels. If they are spreading all over your tank, it is a sign that your nutrient levels are too high. They are also photosynthetic, able to produce energy from light, and most tanks have a light fixture in place.
The two key nutrients that are causing you headaches over this problem are nitrates and phosphates. These two nutrients can come from a few sources. The water that you use, fish food and fish waste. To overcome hair algae, both nitrates and phosphates must be reduced drastically.
Firstly, is the water you use treated tap water or RO/DI water? Tap water has both of nitrates and phosphates, in an effort to lower these two you should start using RO/DI water. Next, feed your fishes less and in lower frequencies.
Remove any and all uneaten foods, fish wastes and detritus from the aquarium. Remove all your equipment (protein skimmers, pumps) and give them a good scrubbing.
The next step is to drastically lower the amount of nitrates and phosphates in your aquarium. Perform water changes to remove nitrates.
As for phosphates, you need a good phosphate remover, three brands i recommend are Rowaphos, Phosguard and Phosban.
Mother nature has gifted us with a few creatures that consume hair algae. Green Emerald Crabs, nerite snails and turbo snails all eat hair algae.
Your lighting can be viewed upon as a source for the hair algae outbreak as well. If they are too old they may be changing in spectrum. Hair algae likes the red spectrum so change your bulbs just in case.
There are some products on the market that will accelerate the algae removal process. However, such products are short-term fixes at best. Because it doesn't fix the source of the problem. Which leads us back to nutrients again.
About the Author:
Gabriela Desouyez has been in the ornamental fish trade for over 20 years, giving her hands on experience with a wide range of marine fishes. Do visit her page for a picture guide on Hair Algae as well as other guides on Green Hair Algae.
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