Filamentous algae

[Sb1415]

Have this filamentous algae growing on Apt feast ? Unlike plants which you can cut and replant the healthy portion, how would one go about dealing with this growing on the substrate ?

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Manual removal is usually best. An old well-rinsed toothbrush, spun around to grab it like spaghetti strands in a fork, usually works really well.

If it gets too difficult to remove, I also find that H2O2 (standard store-bought 3%) spot-dosing works well. Just get a syringe, turn off the filter, and spot dose on the algae. I try to not exceed 1-2mL/gal, and often (but not always) follow it up with a 50%+ water change, though it's not always required.

 

[techman81]

Manual removal is usually best. An old well-rinsed toothbrush, spun around to grab it like spaghetti strands in a fork, usually works really well.

If it gets too difficult to remove, I also find that H2O2 (standard store-bought 3%) spot-dosing works well. Just get a syringe, turn off the filter, and spot dose on the algae. I try to not exceed 1-2mL/gal, and often (but not always) follow it up with a 50%+ water change, though it's not always required.

This is pretty much the same I've done in my tank and it's worked well, but my issue right now is the hair algae is predominately in the Phoenix moss and I'm a bit nervous to try H2O2 there so I've tried APT Fix Lite but it hasn't really shown much benefit. Regular manual removal is just as efective on it's own. I may go ahead and dose a small area of moss with H2O2 and see how it goes.

 

[Sb1415]

Thanks both. When I use tooth brush I just get the aquasoil coming up with it. Do I just discard the balls if aquasoil?

 

[techman81]

Thanks both. When I use tooth brush I just get the aquasoil coming up with it. Do I just discard the balls if aquasoil?

When I pull out moss from the aquasoil, I get some soil with it and just toss it all.

 

[Pepere]

If it gets too difficult to remove, I also find that H2O2 (standard store-bought 3%) spot-dosing works well. Just get a syringe, turn off the filter, and spot dose on the algae. I

Attaching a short section of standard airline tubing to the end of the syringe and then attaching a length of rigid airline tubing to that allows you to direct the peroxide without submerging the syringe…. That prevents the outside end of the syringe filling with water…. I always seem to forget to drain that when it comes out…

Also lets. You instill peroxide between the glass and substrate up front to get rid of the alge that tends to grow there….

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Attaching a short section of standard airline tubing to the end of the syringe and then attaching a length of rigid airline tubing to that allows you to direct the peroxide without submerging the syringe…. That prevents the outside end of the syringe filling with water…. I always seem to forget to drain that when it comes out…

Also lets. You instill peroxide between the glass and substrate up front to get rid of the alge that tends to grow there….

Great idea, I use these 10" long needles for a similar purpose:

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They're stainless steel, and the ones I've been using for years do not rust!