Thread Algae Discussion

**dasouljah** · 2nd Sep 2009, 16:19

Hi guys,
I hope that you guys can contribute to how you have successfully overcome this algae. I have been battling this algae for the last 2 months - have tried blackout for 3 days, reducing the photo-period, reducing the intensity, manually removing them and introducing amano shrimps but still not able to eradicate the problem.

Here are my parameters:
PH: 6.5 - 7.0
KH: unsure as of now
Co2: 0.5 BPS
Light: 32W T5HO, 8 hours a day
Fert: Dennerle Planta Gold7 once every 2 weeks, Wondergro every 3 - 4 days
Temp: 26 - 28C

Here are some solutions that I have read that has worked for some aquarists:

Reducing the iron levels, question is how do I reduce iron?
H202, question is that is it livestock friendly? And where can I get H2O2?

Hope that I can get some inputs from seniors here.

Thanks.

**torque6** · 2nd Sep 2009, 21:00

Bioload/ life stock, density of plants, filtration, feeding habits are also parameters to consider.

**dasouljah** · 2nd Sep 2009, 21:58

Originally Posted by torque6

Bioload/ life stock, density of plants, filtration, feeding habits are also parameters to consider.

Here are the parameters:
Bioload: About 30 CRS and 3 Ottos
Plants: Medium dense willow moss, spiky moss, singapore moss, flame moss and riccia
Filter: GEX Hang on filter with Mr. Aqua CR and CC
Feeding: Mosura Wafers and Crab Cuisine once a day, just enough for the shrimps to finish overnight

**Shadow** · 2nd Sep 2009, 22:00

how big is your tank? did I miss it or you forgot to mention your tank size

which algae are you having?

**dasouljah** · 3rd Sep 2009, 01:11

My tank measures 1.5ft and holds 5 gallon of water.

I'm experiencing some Green Spot Algae but I can live with that. It is the pesky Thread Algae that I cannot tolerate. They grow up to 15cm in a night!!

**dasouljah** · 3rd Sep 2009, 01:12

It could also be a combination of hair algae as well, as I can see a small amount of matted clumps forming on my mosses.

**Shadow** · 3rd Sep 2009, 09:05

5 gallon tank with 32W and only 0.5 bps CO2. How do you inject your CO2? I assume using those glass diffuser. From how I see it you can either reduce your light or pump more CO2.

I can't really comment on the fertilizer you dosing, never use those brand. but very simple, more light mean faster photosynthesis mean plants need more CO2 and fertilizer. If you did not provide them enough, plant grow will stun and algae take over.

**dasouljah** · 3rd Sep 2009, 16:31

Thanks Shadow, I'm using pressurized CO2 with manual regulator through a glass diffuser. I will try to increase the CO2 and update with results soon.

**Shadow** · 3rd Sep 2009, 16:36

unfortunately once algae take hold, increase CO2 alone will not kill them. you still need to manually clean them. Other thing that always help in algae issue is frequent/daily water change.

**dasouljah** · 3rd Sep 2009, 17:08

Sigh, unfortunate to hear that. I do water top ups + 10 percent water changes every 2 days.

here are some pics:

**StanChung** · 3rd Sep 2009, 18:41

ooo- nasty one. Bane of shrimp keepers. SAE's can keep it from 'exploding' but they're not shrimp friendly. This one is here to stay unless you do something drastic like restart the tank.

In the past I saved some clean bits and pieces of moss and restarted the tank.

**TyroneGenade** · 7th Sep 2009, 20:10

Check the content of your fertilizers. If they contain iron then STOP using them. Rather add KNO3 for potassium nitrate and buffer with some coral chips (to supply magnesium, calcium and phosphate). Your tank will probably get enough iron from the food you give the fish. This will slow the growth of the algae, not kill it.

I just treated some drift wood with hydrogen peroxide. I got a 40 volume bottle (about 12&#37

and applied it to the wood with a little spray bottle. It fizzed wonderfully. I never bothered to rinse the logs, just put them back in the tank. There was a lot of bubbling but the fish look fine. I hope the algae are dead. I got some on my arm and after a few minutes I could feel it burning...

I use the H2O2 to sterilize my orchid flasks and hands and implements when I work in the laminar flowe cabinet with my orchid seedlings. It is very effective at killing stuff. On the other hand, I often add a few microL to my Notho hatching tubs to increase the oxygen content. This does not seem to hurt the fry.

I have read that Endlers are pretty good at controlling hair/thread algae. They will graze on it all day. See http://www.aquascapingworld.com/foru...-aquarium.html

I'm also waging war against hair algae and have managed to appropriate some of these to aid in the war.

**EddyTing** · 8th Sep 2009, 21:38

I've some hair algae which I remove manually. After a few days, seems to be gone. Green spots.. a few spots on the glass, just scrub it off during my weekly 20% water change. But what I'm battling now is BBA. Gosh, they keep on coming...tried back out, H2O2, increase CO2 and even bleach, nothing helps..keeps on coming back, and each time with more...Anyone has other ideas of getting rid of those for good?

**TyroneGenade** · 8th Sep 2009, 23:07

I'm told baby mollies will eat it. So do SAEs.

I've been told that putting some oyster shells in the filter also seems to stop its growth. What is your pH?

**EddyTing** · 9th Sep 2009, 18:13

Is it?! Well, hope it's true...anyone can clarify that oyster shell thing? I'm willing to give it a shot if it brings no harm to my CRS. My pH is measured at 6.5 after about 4 hours of light and Co2 on.