INTRODUCTION

Before we can get into talking about how to properly eliminate algae growth from your aquarium, we should get into discussing exactly what algae is.

Algae are usually referred to as simple plant organisms, but that is not necessarily the whole truth. Although algae have conventionally been regarded as simple plants, they actually span more than one domain (including even Bacteria), as well as more than one kingdom (including plants and protists, with protists being considered more animal-like then plant-like. So algae aren’t actually as simple as it may seem.

Also it is interesting to note that scientists estimate that maybe as much as 87% of the oxygen available in the world for us to breed is produced by algae, so even though it may make your fish tank look unsightly algae throughout the world serves a very, very valuable purpose to all life on our planet.

Even though a lot of aquarium hobbyists think of all algae as being “bad,” truthfully some algae can be very good for your home aquarium. “Good” algae are present in very small quantities, and usually means that you have good water quality. “Good” algae are usually easily kept in check by algae eating fish or simple removal during routine maintenance. This type of algae is a natural consequence of having a container of water with nutrients and a light source.

“Bad” algae happen when the amount of algae in your aquarium becomes uncontrollable and starts to take over the fish tank. “Bad” algae almost always happen because of poor water quality.

COMMON TYPES OF AQUARIUM ALGAE

Blue-green, slime or smear algae

This is the most common type of “bad” algae that appears in aquariums. This type of algae is ALWAYS A RESULT OF POOR WATER QUALITY, because the aquarium has not been properly cleaned and maintained. It grows rapidly in blue-green, slimy sheets and spreads over almost everything in your aquarium.

This is type of algae is actually a type of bacteria, it can be physically removed, but it usually always comes back unless the changes are made in the way you maintain and clean your aquarium.

Treating your aquarium with 1 tablet of Jungle brand No More Algae per ten gallons of water or 1 teaspoon of Weco Products brand Algicide-RX per 15 gallons of water will usually eliminate blue-green algae.

Green water

Green unicellular algae will sometimes reproduce so rapidly that the water will turn green. This is commonly called an "algae bloom" and is usually caused by too much light like direct sunlight.

An algae bloom can be removed by filtering with micron cartridges or diatom filters, or at least frequent rinsing out of the pads in your power filter.

Film algae

Grows on the aquarium glass and forms a thin haze. Easily removed by wiping the glass. Considered normal with the higher light levels needed for good plant growth. Easily controlled with algae eaters such as Otocinclus, Flying Foxes, Plecostomus or Chinese Algae Eaters.

Spot algae

Grows in thin, hard, circular, bright green spots, usually on the aquarium glass but also on plants under high light conditions. Considered normal for planted tanks. Must be mechanically removed. On glass tanks, scrape with a magnetic algae scraper, or a scrubbing algae scraper.

Hair algae

While is it makes your tank look “dirty” it is actually a good food source for many types of fish. Hair algae grow in bright green clumps in the gravel and around mechanical objects. Hair algae tend to form matted clumps. Individual strands can get up to an inch or longer. This is easy to remove mechanically by twirling a toothbrush in it. Can be troublesome if left unchecked, by clogging up and possibly even damaging the impellers in power filters.

STEPS IN PREVENTING ALGAE

STEP 1: Do away with slime algae by lowering nutrient levels, this means by doing REGULAR FREQUENT PARTIAL WATER CHANGES. Absolutely nothing is better for both the looks of your aquarium and the health and well being of your fish then regular partial water changes. For more about keeping your aquarium clean, see our care sheet titled: “The Importance of Water Changes.”

Also in between water changes using Nutrafin brand Waste Control in addition to Nutrafin brand Cycle, helps to keep your biological filtration levels in tact while helping to reduce the amount of waste that can help algae grow.

STEP 2: Lower the light levels. What makes plants grow will make algae grow. If your not home, don’t waste your electricity by keeping your fish tank light on.

STEP 3: Keep direct sunlight off of the aquarium. If at all possible don’t position your aquarium near a window.

STEP 4: Get algae-eating fish, which are your best and most natural line of defense against the stuff. The absolute best algae eating fish there is are Otocinclus, Flying Foxes, Plecostomus and Chinese Algae Eaters are also great at preventing small amounts of algae growth.

STEP 5: Keep handy Scrubbing pads and algae magnets for “spot” cleaning.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS:
Jungle No More Algae Tank Buddies (for Algae removal)
Weco Products Algicide-RX (for Algae removal)
Nutrafin Waste Control
Nutrafin Cycle
Marina Deep Reach Algae Scrubb
Marina Algae Magnet Cleaner