| Green Hair algae is a common pest in many | | | | between 8.0 to 8.3, which will not be possible in many |
| aquariums and is also known by the name "Derbesia." | | | | aquariums. If possible, reduce lighting to the aquarium |
| This is a dark green kind of algae which grows to | | | | and try to physically remove as much as possible.it is |
| quite long lengths and can take over an aquarium in a | | | | important to try and keep on top of algae, as it |
| matter of weeks. | | | | generally has detrimental effects on the health of the |
| Algae is a very basic form of plant life, which can | | | | fish and the plants in the aquarium. There are some |
| thrive in your aquarium given the right lighting | | | | chemicals which are marketed as being effective at |
| conditions and range of nutrients. Fortunately green | | | | killing algae, but it is important to understand that |
| hair algae is not as aggressive as some of the | | | | some of these may also harm other organisms in the |
| species of algae which you can find growing in your | | | | aquarium. One of the biggest factors to preventing |
| tank, although you may find it hard to combat | | | | algae outbreaks in the first place is to keep |
| effectively. When you notice an outbreak of algae, | | | | maintenance to a high standard and avoid high levels |
| do not panic, providing that you take the right steps | | | | of phosphates and nitrates. Elevated nitrates will |
| to combat the conditions which have lead to it you | | | | contribute significantly to algae growth. |
| should be able to beat the algae before it has a | | | | If you are struggling to combat algae in an aquarium, |
| foothold in the aquarium. | | | | there are a range of different ways to combat it, |
| One method of combating this kind of algae is to try | | | | from changes in water chemistry and other changes |
| and bring you water conditions in line with natural sea | | | | in lighting, heating. Try to avoid the use of fertilizers |
| water levels. This may or may not be possible in your | | | | which contain large amounts of phosphates, it is a |
| aquarium depending on the needs of the other plants | | | | good idea to regularly monitor what chemicals testing |
| and fish that you are keeping. Ideally, nitrates are | | | | kits tell you are present in your water and keep on |
| kept below 10ppm or less, with both ammonia and | | | | top of aquarium maintenance. |
| nitrites reading zero. pH levels should be kept | | | | |