what is this growing in my freshwater tank?

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trey1010

New Fish
#1
Jan 8, 2013
3
0
0
#1
Hey I have had my 75 gallon freshwater aquarium up and running
Since january. It has 9 fish and some live plants but lately this has been growing like crazy! Is this bad for my tank? I kinda like the way it looks.
 

O

OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#4
Feb 27, 2009
4,395
0
36
#4
trey1010 said:
It has 9 fish and some live plants but lately this has been growing like crazy! Is this bad for my tank? I kinda like the way it looks.
Click to expand...
It is indeed a type of algae commonly called 'hair algae.' Any algae indicates an imbalance in light, carbon, and other nutrients. Judging solely by the wall of bubbles in the background, I would guess you are short of dissolved carbon dioxide in the tank for your other plants to grow with.
 

exhumed07

exhumed07

Superstar Fish
#5
Apr 30, 2006
1,774
0
36
Illinois
#5
I didn't even think about the disolved CO2 OC. that is a good point. in my tank the hair algae only lives up towards the surface of the tank in one patch of christmas moss. my piece of driftwood is totally covered with moss but the algae only lives on the top.
 

O

OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#6
Feb 27, 2009
4,395
0
36
#6
The algae can utilize CO2 from the air, which is why it is more commonly seen at the top of the water column. The filaments can channel CO2 from the air down to areas below the water surface. It can also choke out a plant by surrounding it. The plant hidden away dies slowly, and as it decomposes, the algae can use the carbon stored in the leaves/stems/roots of the plant as its carbon source.
 

S

SantaMonicaHelp

Medium Fish
#8
Oct 17, 2011
70
1
8
Santa Monica, CA, USA
#8
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