Aquariums and Fish Keeping

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How do you deal with hair algae? (pawb.social)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I've been fighting it for awhile. Various nutrient levels, light levels, etc. Considering getting a nerite snail, but heard they can be a bit of an escape artist. Any tips?

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[–] spinne 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Squirt it right on top of the algae, not in the area. Peroxide's not a dangerous toxin that lingers, but it's reactive oxygen that disrupts bonds. (That's its sanitizing super power.) It can chemically burn if left in contact with skin for too long, so I wouldn't risk using it on hardscape inverts are sitting on or too near your fish. (The burns aren't serious for humans but I don't know how a fish or snail would do before the peroxide dissociated.)

If you need to, put some tank water into another container and treat your hardscape in that so you don't risk anyone's safety.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Thanks! Good ideas. I love my cherry shrimp, but they have no concept of fear and generally swim towards danger, while my fish swim away from danger, haha.

[–] spinne 2 points 3 months ago

It's true; we love the dwarf shrimp for their looks, not their abundance of caution.