As an aquarium owner, yous will be aware of the seemingly never ending boxing confronting algae growth. Unfortunately algae tin be an inevitable problem in your fish tank, merely there are steps you lot can take to get rid of algae and assist to keep on top of information technology.

What is algae?

To put it merely, Algae is a green plant that appears in a variety of colours and forms, and grows within your fish tank. It attaches itself to the surfaces of items and the glass of your tank. In the right amounts, algae tin can provide a expert nutrient source for your fish; however, if there is too much of it, it can cause h2o pollution and become unpleasant.

Make clean your aquarium

Algae has a habit of building up on your aquarium's acrylic or glass sides which tin make for an cruddy tank.

An piece of cake way to remove algae from your glass is an aquarium scraper and some elbow grease. The scraper will remove large algae deposits, as well as daily film algae, leaving you with a clear view of your fish. Simply make sure to get into every nook and cranny!

Algae will likewise collect in your substrate, so it's of import to clean information technology regularly. This can be washed easily using a Siphon.

Water Changes

Never underestimate the ability of a skilful h2o change! Make clean water is a staple of expert aquarium care, so if your tank becomes polluted it will help to perform a water change. Regular h2o changes can help dilute and carry away unwanted algae nutrients that build upwardly in your aquarium. We suggest carrying this out weekly every bit part of your maintenance routine as going too long between changes may increase your chances of an algae outbreak.

Algae Eaters

Some fish thrive off of algae in tanks, making it a neat source of food for them. If you lot have the tank capacity, yous may retrieve about introducing a few new helpful tank mates.

There are many varieties of fish and invertebrates that tin be added to your tank that may assist toward controlling algae growth. The most common type of fish would be a Pleco, however some tin can abound very large which may not be a suitable pick for most fish keepers. Nosotros would suggest a Bristlenose Pleco, they're hardy, like shooting fish in a barrel to keep and don't grow likewise big (12.5cm). Most importantly they are smashing lovers of algae.

Catfish such as the Dwarf Sucking Catfish; Otocinclus, are another great selection as they are largely compatible with all species and can approximately abound up to 4.5cm making them ideal for smaller fish tanks.

If you're not looking to add another fish to your tank, an algae eating snail could be a good culling. A Batik snail; Neritina SP, is a keen choice for most tropical tanks for their algae loving nature and they're besides easy to care for making them suitable for beginners.

Merely please make sure yous practice your own thorough research beforehand to make sure your tank is the best and most compatible environment for these fish.

Proceed in mind that algae eaters are not phenomenon workers and some algae may grow faster than can be eaten significant you may have to apply a combination of methods to completely remove algae.

Algae Treatments

Sometimes natural methods of algae removal merely won't cut it, that'south where algae treatments come in. An algae handling is a solution placed into your fish tank that will eliminate algae. This method may not be as gentle as cleaning and calculation new fish, simply it is fast acting and constructive.

Lighting

You can reduce excess algae by controlling the amount of light your aquarium gets by making certain your tank is not in straight sunlight and putting lights on a timer, every bit an extended calorie-free cycle can promote the growth of algae.

Do not over feed fish

Brand sure you're not over feeding your fish! If you notice yourself in a constant bike of returning algae information technology may be time to consider cutting downwardly on the corporeality you feed your fish. Food that goes uneaten will settle into the substrate and get-go to pause down. Organic material left in the tank provides essential nutrients perfect for algae to thrive on. Try only feeding your fish with plenty food to last a few minutes, anymore will atomic number 82 to excessive waste and therefore the risk of more than algae.

Filters

A filter within your tank will keep your h2o clean and will ensure that toxic level remain low making the probability of algae growth lower. Simply brand sure yous clean and modify the filter media regularly.

UV Sterilisers

One of the best ways to tackle algae is by using a UV Steriliser as part of your filtration system. The UV Steriliser volition destroy the bacteria also as help to reduce the spread of free-floating algae. It is not harmful in any mode to your fish or other inhabitants of your aquarium, making it a great choice for removing algae from your aquariums.

However information technology'southward important to annotation that a UV Steriliser will non eradicate the problem completely on its own. A UV steriliser is not a replacement for good biological and mechanical filter, which is withal necessary to physically remove algae from the water.