Hair Algae Disaster

I have a cycled 25 gallon freshwater tank-
78 degrees
Ph 7.6
Hard water
Medium planted
Black sand, not super fine
7 hours of led light (not sure of power, seller was unclear) on timer
2 times a day automatic fish feeder (eheim everyday) that dispenses 8 ish pellets per feeding
2 ish times per week I feed a bottom feeder pellet
3 part filter: carbon, sponge, and one other biological type. Carbon is changed every other month.
MY STOCK
4 kuhlI loaches
4 harlequin rasbora (1 adult 3 juvenile)
1 honey gourami
1 cherry shrimp (red)
4 Amano shrimp

I know I need to add to my school of hq and kuhlis. The LFS only had 4 kuhlis when I went in.

I’ve been thinking my hair algae might lessen if I got more fish because they produce co2. Slightly off topic, any ideas on stocking suggestions?

So, anyway, I have a HUGE hair algae problem. It is everywhere, the walls, the plants, the wood and decor, and even the ground sometimes! It grows back three days after a 20% pwc (I water change 5-8 gallons every 2 weeks) I have a bit of diatom too, but nothing else. I am a beginner, so I don’t know very much about ferts or co2. I can deal with expenses, as long as it is nothing over the top (no more then $300 start up).

I’d love any ideas on how to solve my problems. Thanks in advance.

 

What are your nitrate readings? I'm wondering if high nitrites are encouraging the algae growth. Normally, in order to keep nitrates under 20ppm (assuming 0ppm nitrates are in your tap water) a 35%-50% water change is required every week. Other than that, nothing stands out to me.

 

Ok. I have always had very low nitrates because I am under stocked and have have many plants. I will do the stick test so that I can get back to you sooner. (I do have liquid though)

 

Ok, I had to dig through a pile for my tests, but I have almost 0 nitrates. Maybe this is why. Would adding new fish help?

 

I would do a black out period. I had a small hair algae issue in my 10 gallon. I did a blackout period for like a whole week and it killed it off.

 

I would do a black out period. I had a small hair algae issue in my 10 gallon. I did a blackout period for like a whole week and it killed it off.

I like this idea, but would it hurt my plants?

 

I've never kept live plants, but I would think a black out period might be bad for them, but hopefully someone with some experience with live plants will chime in.

It is a little surprising that you would have an algae problem. Low nitrates and live plants should help eliminate algae.

I'm wondering if your phosphate levels are high.

One other thing, are you using ferts? If so, maybe you are dosing too much and there are excess nutrients in the water column.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

 

No ferts. I really like the phosphate theory, though. I will pick up the bottle whenever I can. Thanks for trying to help!

 

I've never kept live plants, but I would think a black out period might be bad for them, but hopefully someone with some experience with live plants will chime in.

It is a little surprising that you would have an algae problem. Low nitrates and live plants should help eliminate algae.

I'm wondering if your phosphate levels are high.

One other thing, are you using ferts? If so, maybe you are dosing too much and there are excess nutrients in the water column.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Blackout theory isn’t bad though I never heard of blackout stopping hair algae. Most of the plants can easily survive 5-7 days blackout.

 

Blackout theory isn’t bad though I never heard of blackout stopping hair algae. Most of the plants can easily survive 5-7 days blackout.

Thanks! Any advise?

 

I would start to feed only once a day also watch for uneaten algae wafers.Also I did a 3 day blackout when I was away and most algae was gone and plants were not harmed!

 

I would start to feed only once a day also watch for uneaten algae wafers.Also I did a 3 day blackout when I was away and most algae was gone and plants were not harmed!

I will start blackout tomorrow and change the feeder. Watching the algae wafers closer probably would help too.

Would getting more fish help? I was thinking they might produce more carbon.