Whats this moss in my aquarium?

Question

OK. i think this moss came from an aquarium store. Its almost impposible to get rid of and it spreads like heck. the texure is kinda like hair. I have had plants in my aquarium for like a year but just this last purchase at the store, the moss took over!

Answer 1

This sounds like it might be an algae, but it could also be a bacteria. What you'll need to do to get rid of it will depend on what type it is - I'll post some links below to help you with identification and treatment options.

cyanobacteria - see photos in link: http://naturalaquariums.com/plantedtank/0608.html

hair algae: http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/algae/hairalgae1.jpg

brush algae: http://www.floridadriftwood.com/brush_algae.jpg

See these for treatment:
cyanobacteria: http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/cyano.shtml
hair algae: http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/algcont.shtml
brush algae: http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/tonealg.shtml

Answer 2

Honestly, I had the same problem only with snails!! I bought elodea for my aquarium and rinsed it off even. A month later I had upwards of one hundred snails!! It definately sounds like this moss has come from the pet store. Try calling the pet store and asking them about it!

If it were a moss outside, I'd say use moss out. Maybe try getting some moss out and spraying everything down. Wait for it to dry then rinse it reallllllllly good before putting fish in there.

Answer 3

Is it green? Its probably string algae. We have that problem in a few of our tanks at the the pet shop. Its a pain to get off of the rocks, it just rips off, but most of it stays on. I have to clue how to remove it unless you take it apart and bleach everything (and rinse it off really well).