Simply put, if what you are seeing in your saltwater aquarium is a green, feathery looking mass, it is probably Green Hair Algae. Nuisance Green Macroalgae will help you if you want to know the scientific names, descriptions and any of the more technical information.Once Green Hair Algae gets a foothold in a saltwater aquarium, it can soon cover everything in your tank if prompt measures are not taken. The cure for Green Hair Algae is the same as the prevention: Starve it into oblivion. Green Hair Algae require not only light but also nitrates and phosphates in order to survive.Nitrates can be introduced into an aquarium not only as the end product of the Nitrogen Cycling Process (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate), but also via some brands of commercial sea salts and tap water.Phosphate (PO4) is a part of life on earth. Virtually every living thing contains some phosphates and they can enter the tank in a number of ways. Fish & critter foods, tap water, and carbon are some of the phosphate generators in your tank.

Test your tank water for nitrates and Phosphates.If you have Green Hair Algae in your tank, your phosphates should read well above .05 mg/L., which is considered by many to be the lowest level at which Green Hair Algae will grow. Ironically, if you have Green Hair Algae in your tank and your phosphate and nitrate tests read low or near zero, the algae in your tank could be eating and locking up the phosphates and nitrates so they won't show up in a test.cheap fish tank with standThe most common source of phosphates in an aquarium is from the freshwater used for top offs and water changes.buy aquarium plants online india In this case, doing water changes to reduce phosphates will only continue the problem unless the water source is changed. cheap fish tank with stand

There are two basic methods of reducing phosphates in your tank.Nitrates will always be something to contend with in your tank. For fast, immediate reduction, you can do a water change, using the Instant Nitrate Reduction Method. This will reduce your nitrates at the fastest rate, using the least amount of time and water. This will also get your nitrates down to a workable (10 mg/L area) level but it is only a Bandaid and does nothing to remove the source of the nitrates. Siphon out as much of the Green Hair Algae as possible. You will probably find that you will have to use several other methods (many of which are part of a good Aquarium Maintenance Routine to keep your nitrates in check. You might want to consider the Long Term Nitrate Control method, which actually works to keep your nitrates near zero without any lengthy maintenance procedures. This method uses a specific bacteria, which reacts with the nitrate molecule and a carbon molecule, converting the nitrates into nitrogen gas, which is vented into the atmosphere.

By reducing the nitrate and phosphate levels in your tank, your tank will soon be healthy and free of the Green Hair Algae. Many of your tank occupants (corals and other invertebrates) will also benefit from the reduced levels.Algae growth is a fact of life that every aquarium owner will face sooner or later. Some algae growth is normal and healthy, but excess algae growth is unsightly and can be hazardous to fish and plants.What Causes Algae Overgrowth?Like any plant life, algae thrive on three basic necessities: water, sunlight and nutrients. If an excess of any of these is available, algae will grow like wildfire, just like weeds growing in a garden. Obviously, you can't do without water in your aquarium, but you can control the amount of light and nutrients are in the water. Here are the common reasons for algae overgrowth. Lights left on too longAquarium in a location with direct sunlight Overfeeding the fish water changes Using water with high nutrientsAvoiding Algae Overgrowth​Knowing the causes of algae overgrowth is the first half of the battle.

Here is what you should do to avoid overgrowth. Reduce Lighting – Don't place the tank where there is direct sunlight, for even part of the day. Sunlight can, and will, promote algae growth. When using artificial light make sure it is not stronger than necessary and is not on more than about eight hours each day. To ensure that, use a timer to turn the lights on and off each day.  Feed Less – The majority of owners overfeed their fish, which increases the phosphate levels in the water. Feed small portions and watch the fish eat. If all the food isn't eaten in five minutes, you are feeding too much. Always remove any uneaten food promptly. Water Changes – The single most important way to avoid algae is to perform regular water changes. Change ten to fifteen percent of your aquarium water every week to keep nutrients in the water low.  Know Your Water – Test your water source. If it is high in phosphates, you should consider using phosphate removers or find another water source.

It's wise to also test for nitrates, as some water sources have elevated nitrates. It doesn't do much good to change the water if you are adding nutrients! Clean It Up - If you see algae beginning to grow on the glass, rocks, or other hard surfaces of the tank, remove it. Scrape the glass, remove rocks and scrub them, and vacuum the gravel when you perform water changes.  Keep Live Plants – Live plants will use many of the nutrients that algae thrive upon. Fewer nutrients means there is less fuel for algae overgrowth.  Keep Algae Eating Fish – Keeping Siamese Flying Fox, Otocinclus, or even the common Plecostomus, will help reduce some of the algae in the tank.Types of AlgaeAlready have algae in your aquarium, and need to get rid of it? Knowing the type of algae will help determine the cause and cure. Here are commonly seen algae types, and how to deal with them. For more information about a specific type, click on the link provided. Brown, also known as Gravel or Silica algae.

Common in new tanks, it will coat the tank in sheets, which are easily wiped off. It is usually harmless and will eventually go away as the tank matures.  Blue-Green, also known as Slime or Smear algae – Caused by excesses of nitrates and phosphates, this is actually not algae at all. Instead, it is a cyanobacteria. It can spread rapidly, and can cause considerable damage. Good water care will help, but if your water source has phosphates in it, you may have to use special treatments to remove the excess nutrients. Erythromycin is also effective against Blue-Green algae. Red or Beard algae – This one is the toughest algae to get rid of, and usually appears on plants. A dip in a weak bleach solution (5 to 10%) for a few minutes will often kill this type of algae.  Green, also known as Hair, Thread, or Spot algae – This is a normal healthy type of algae that every tank will most likely experience in some degree. As long as the tank is well cared for, it will not overgrow.  Green Water, also known as Algae Bloom – This is caused by the growth of microscopic algae that are suspended in the water.