Algae Hair Questions

I'm seeing an increase in algae hair in my betta tanks. I've got several questions.

1. Is it harmful to the betta? I take most of it out and it grows back within a week or so. I'm not disturbed by it, I actually think the hair is kind of pretty, but I'm wondering if it is harmful to the betta in any way.

2. Is it harmful to the java fern and other plants that are in there?

3. I've got a breeder tank for guppy and molly fry that is sitting close to the betta tanks. That tank also has algae hair in it. Will the fry eat it or should that be removed?

I understand the first problem is more than likely my lighting. They are at the window. The only Betta tank without algae hair is the one that is sitting furthest from the window with its own tank light. So, I know that moving the other Bettas would be a good idea but the questions are still one's I'd like to have answered.

Info:

I'm not seeing algae on the tank walls or an increase on the rocks, just algae hair. The hair is primarily on the plants but also on the tiny driftwood added to each Betta tank.

Four female bettas. The betta tanks range from 1.5 gallons to 2.5 gallons and are live planted but unfiltered. All receive regular water changes using Prime. They eat a mix of molly and guppy fry, kale flakes and minced worms. Since I feed the goldfish green peas, I've been known to toss in the tiniest little tid bit of pea for them, which they devour.

Thank you,

Faith

SUNDRIP - Art for Life

http://www.sundrip.com

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Comment by Robert Jango on January 21, 2013 at 2:56am: The Hair Algae isn't harmful to fish. Its basically a plant that affords your fish all the benefits that plants provide. It likes all the same things that other plants like: lighting, minerals, and Co2. But unlike your more evolutionary advanced plant species (Java Fern etc) it cannot store enegry and needs a constant supply of nutrition to stay alive.

If you don't mind how it looks, let it be. But if allowed to grow unchecked, it can choke your other plants. If you decide to get rid of it, you'll have to starve it. You can do this without starving your other plants because, as I said before, your other plants can store energy when nutrition is unavailable.

Fast growing plants that poke their heads above water outcompete algae. They do this by accessing Co2 from the air where it is much more plentiful. In the meantime their roots spread aggressively into the water below and suck up all the minerals that the algae needs. Some of these plants are Duckweed, Water Lettuce, and Water Sprite. A Pothos sprig can also be placed over the side of an aquarium where its roots will also invade the water. Providing less light will also hurt the algae but probably not the Java Fern which is a lowlight plant.

It doesn't sound like you have a bad outbreak though. You said the hair algae is restricted to rocks and wood - a source of minerals. This tells me there are not enough minerals in the water to support it. But you'll have to do something about the algae growing on your plants. Light deprivation is your best bet and the most effective method the addition of floating plants. They'll cut off light to the algae and keep excess nutrients in the water under control.

I once had a wall of Hair Algae growing on the sunny side of an aquarium that provided my Angelfish fry with a steady supply of microorganisms. They loved picking at it and I loved looking at it. It was as beautiful as any plant I've ever owned - and the price was right.