Green hair algae are
almost synonymous to a mess for the saltwater aquarium owners. The greeny base
in the saltwater aquarium is sometimes life-threatening to your fish, and once
it starts growing, it soon captures most of your tank, and thereby it makes the
aquarium uncomfortable and suffocating for the fishes.
Before knowing the
methods of curing your aquarium of green hair algae, you need to know the
suitable growth condition of green hair algae. Three factors promote the growth
of green hair algae; these are light, nitrate, phosphate. Nitrate forms by any kinds
of nitrogen waste, cheap sea salt, or polluted water. Phosphate is the end products of remaining particles of
fish food, and it also comes from pH buffers and also from dead algae or fish.
To control green hair algae, you need to have control over these sources which
make a suitable condition for growth for these algae.
Once you see a green
base in your saltwater aquarium, you need to test nitrate and phosphate level
in your aquarium. You will find different tools and kits to measure this. After
you identify this, you can follow these methods:
Steps to reduce nitrate
Nitrate reduction is
an important step when you are planning to get rid of green hair algae for a
long term
Change Water
To reduce nitrate, the
best option is to change the water. It will instantly clean the tank and speed
up the reduction process. By doing this, you will be able to reduce the nitrate
level only. Now, what about the source of nitrate?
Aquarium Cleaning
To destroy the sources
of nitrates, you need to clean the aquarium on time. You can manually remove
the green hair algae. Alternatively, you can go through the siphoning technique
as well to get rid of green hair algae. Also, you can siphon the food particles
and the fish wastes too.
Use of Nitrate removers
Presently, there are
several options to get rid of nitrate; nitrate sponge is one of these options.
In addition to this, you can use di-nitrate solutions as well. Along with
these, Poly Filter Pads and Acurel Nitrate Reducing Pads are giving intense
satisfaction to the owners right now. You can use any of these according to
your budget, and you can be sure about the results.
Mangrove plants
If you want long term
results, you can add some mangrove plants in your saltwater tank. It is a natural method
of nitrate control in any aquarium.
Keep in mind that
proper maintenance is the secret of nitrate reduction in a saltwater tank.
Steps to reduce phosphate
Nitrate reduction will
not be enough to get rid of green hair algae; you need to reduce phosphate as
well.
Changing Water
Phosphate can come in
the aquarium if you continue to use tap water in your aquarium. It comes from
any kinds of dirt. You can temporarily get rid of the problem by changing the
water, but phosphate level will continue to grow again until you change the
source of water. It means if you keep using tap water, you can probably see a
higher level of phosphate.
Use of pure water
Here, you are advised
to use the RO/DI water. It will control the level of phosphate in your
aquarium.
Phosphate removers
In the market, there
are various products available to reduce the phosphate level like Phos-guard,
Phos-ban. You can select any of these according to your budget.
Mangrove plants
The mangrove plants
which are commonly used as nitrate remover can also be used here as well. These
mangrove plants will be placed in the forms of seed which will protect the base
of your aquarium.
Additionally, you can
try the vodka method that has recently come in the limelight and
appeared to be a successful method to reduce nitrate and phosphate level and
produce a green hair algae free aquarium. To try this method you need to be
very particular about the measurement because a slight mismatch can lead to a
negative result.
