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Algae Control

Algae Control

Algae solutions for controlling unwanted algae growth in freshwater or saltwater aquariums. Use these convenient solutions as part of your regular aquarium maintenance regime to control aggressive nuisance algae growth. Supplement your existing algae control regimen with a premium algaecide such as AlgaeFix. S...

Increased phosphate levels give algae more food to eat. More food means a population bloom. Keep phosphate levels low with Phosphate Control.

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As low as $4.09

Tetra No More Algae Tabs

Tetra No More Algae Tabs

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Marineland Algae Eliminator

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As low as $8.99

(15 Questions : 24 Answers)

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Hair algae control

I have a 30 gallon bow style marine tank with live rock, sand, a yellow wrasse, and 2 clown fish. The tank is around 5 years old and I have always had a problem with green hair algae to the point where I cannot keep soft coral in the tank as it attacks it and kills it. The clown fish love it as that is where they sleep. I have tried everything to get it under control. When I take the rocks out, scrub them, and put them back in the tank the tank looks nice for around 2 weeks and then the algae starts to come back. I am in the process of purchasing a RO/DI system just in case the water I am getting from my LFS is not good. What would you recommend to try to finally get this problem under control so I can purchase some soft coral for my tank. I purchased a clean up crew a year ago but most of them have died off now. Would a blenny help or any other algae eating fish.

Thanks,

Glenn

2 years, 3 months ago

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Irmo, South Carolina

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I own about 5, 100-150 gallon tanks with the same issues(for one of the tanks). Supposedly I reduced the growing process of the green hair algae by almost 50% or 60%.

Only thing that helped was having a slight lower temperature, changed uv sterlizer bulb while having a 200-300 gph depending on watts on uv, and a filter change while adding some nitrate medication. (However, this only works to slow the process down, plus algae loves phosphate and nitrite, and Nitrates. So you might try to reduce the "nitrate" to zero as low as possible, but not completely zero)

Also, the only way I could think of getting rid of your "problem" of green hair algae is to, transfer the fish to a new tank, and do a bleach out in the tank; using industrial bleach to sterilize the entire tank. That way you could start over.

I haven't had a clue how to get rid of the green hair algae, but only reduce the growing process. Also, it is a good thing you are buying a RO/DI system to help reduce algae. So kudos to you. (also you might wanna buy a phosphate rock to help reduce the algae even more)

Other hints reasons why algae grow would be due to laziness in maintence (I also have that problem. It is indeed a hassle to take care of 5 fish tanks at once.)

Age: 18-24

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1 year, 4 months ago

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ok had real battle with green hair algae and killed it off by keeping high range ph abover 8.2 every time I start developing hair algae it's always a bit low. I raise it and it clears up.

2 years ago

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I currently have a similar problem. I tried everything and it just keeps getting worse. My phosphates are OK. My LFS person just recommended changing the light bulbs. I think he is on the right track since someone else already suggested that. If you are getting water from your LFS, it should be very low in phosphates, therefore -> change your light bulbs. I mark the date in the bulbs with a sharpie to know the exact date when I first installed them. Good luck.

2 years, 2 months ago

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Phoenix, AZ

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i had a hair algea bloom due to old lighting and high phosphates. cured with new bulbs for my t5ho and a phosphate reactor with seachem seagel.

2 years, 2 months ago

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Anonymous

Redmond

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Thank you for your question. Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-443-1160. You can also email them at CustomerService@FosterAndSmithAquatics.com.

2 years, 2 months ago

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I have done water changes and empty the aquarium, changed aquariums its ok then I start this one up again and after about a week it turns green, not s

2 years ago

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Each time you empty or do large water changes, you are disrupting the natural balance of beneficial bacteria in your tank and filter. If the algae you are seeing is just green, then the problem is easily rectified. You are lucky...try dealing with brown or red! Anyway, turn your tank lights off for a day or 2. This will not harm your fish one bit. Remember, in the natural world, they do not get 12-14 hours of bright sunlight 365 days a year. Your green algae will most definitely start to die off. It needs light to grow. Next, plant some LIVE plants, plants that are 100% aquatic and not just sold under the guise of being good aquarium plants because they look cool. They won't look cool for long (find out what day new shipments come in from your fave fish store and go in the day before, look at the plant & fish stock). A quick remedy is to float some live floating plants. A word of warning...don't get so much that the current of your filter breaks them up and causes clogs in the filter. And it's always going to wind up around the impeller. OK, lastly. When was the last time you changed your filter media or rinsed it out? I currently have a tank FULL of dead green algae. All I had to do was turn the lights of for a day and mine is a 45 gallon with 3 lousy fish. However, I use only live plants and although my tank needs a cleaning to get the dead crud out, the fish are perfectly fine. I worry more about the plants at this point as they can get so slimed they starve. Do NOT overload your tank, turn the lights off for a day or 2 (be prepared to clean out dead green algae which turns brown), get some live plant material, stop dumping your tank.

1 year, 8 months ago

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Gainesville, FL

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Need more information on your system. Fresh or saltwater, what filtration system are you using, how long has your tank been up and running, have you done any water tests?

2 years ago

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Collegeville, PA

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how do i get rid of brown hair algae on the subtrate floor?

i have tried the chem- all treatment and water changes, but the algae keeps coming back. my tank is a 40 gal. octagon built in a 5ft. wood cabinet. i have a total of (5) fish (2) clowns (1) yellow Wrasse (1) flame angel and (1) blenny. also have various types of coral.

1 year, 11 months ago

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I have a similar tank in size but mine is freshwater tropical. Still, I feel your pain as I have 3 lousy fish...2 of which are little catfish, and still the crud happens. There is this stuff you can buy...pretty sure the Dr.'s sell it...just make sure it's safe for saltwater. I have used it in fresh and can attest to you the stuff works like overnight. Don't recall the name, but do remember it shows before & after swearing by its ability to clean the substrate of algae and other crud. I am an A #1 skeptic when it comes to these quick fixes. Been burned too many times, but this stuff works. In fact, that is why I am here is to order some, lol! Also, have you tried any natural substrate cleaners such as saltwater clams, lobsters, etc? Just their picking sometimes will be enough.

1 year, 8 months ago

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Gainesville, FL

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Be sure that you are not adding unwanted pollutants back into your aquarium by using only water that has run through an RO Unit before mixing your new saltwater. http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.c... Also be sure that your lights are not being left on too long & that the bulbs are not old & giving off a decreased amount of light. Proper water movement is also crucial in keeping algae at bay. http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.c... You may also want to stock algae eating snails & hermit crabs to eat excess algae. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/... Good luck!

1 year, 10 months ago

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green hair algae

I have a 125 gallon tank that has been set up about 3 weeks. it is still going through the cycle. First I had some brown algae now green algae which I think may be hair algae is has taken over my tank. Will this go away when the tank finishes its cycle?

1 year, 4 months ago

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Hopefully by now your algae issue has been resolved. Also I hope that your algae is not green hair algae but standard green algae. Green hair algae is very difficult to get rid of. Usually algae is created from an excess of phosphorus and hopefully will go away (or has gone away) when your tank has fully cycled. There are products available to assist, like phospoban, or phospo-buster. There is also a bacteria product that can be added to your tank to both speed the cycle along, and to help boost the good bacteria you need to keep your tank balance...Not cheap, some people like it, some don't. I use it every other week. BioDigest manufactured by Prodibo.

Age: 45-54

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10 months ago

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Collegeville, PA

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Thank you for your question. It is not uncommon to experience algae blooms while cycling an aquarium. Usually it take 4-6 weeks to completely cycle an aquarium, and during this time you will likely experience algae issues. If you need additional information on controlling algae, please feel free to contact us at customerservice@drsfostersmith.com. – mar

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Dark brown or black growth on every thing in my fresh water tank.

This growth started with dark spots on the glass. Now it's covering the rocks, jugs and artificial plants. We tried taking the pieces out and washing them in vineger water. That removed the dark brown growth but in a couple weeks it was back.

Age: 55-65

Gender: male

1 year, 2 months ago

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NC.

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Hopefully by now your algae issue has been resolved. I have a saltwater tank, not fresh water, but generally algae is created by having to much phosphate in the tank. Phosphate is created by excessive feeding and fish waste. Do you have any form of filter running? A good hanging filter will establish the bacteria needed to balance the tank (both salt and freshwater). Once the bacteria get set up and you keep your feeding limited, the algae should go away. If not, then there are additives you can use, phospoban, phospo-blaster are two of them.

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10 months ago

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Collegeville, PA

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Thank you for your question. It sounds like you have an algae problem in your aquarium. Here is a link to a helpful article about stopping algae growth in aquariums:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/a...

njc

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