How to Decrease Aquarium Algae Naturally ~ jone leaver_how to

How to Decrease Aquarium Algae Naturally

Step 1

Determine the different colors of algae in your tank. Different kinds of algae thrive in different aquarium conditions. Look in your tank for the 4 main types of algae—blue-green, red, brown, and green—and rank them from most prevalent to least prevalent. From here, focus most on the procedures that work on the most prevalent algae in your tank.

Blue-green algae thrive in general poor water conditions. They develop on your fish, which will eventually start to look moldy—especially when they're motionless.

Red algae are caused by a lack of carbon dioxide and hang all over your aquarium in threads.

Brown algae thrive in conditions with a lack of adequate light and form in large, brown layers.

Green algae are caused by too much light and can make your aquarium look like pea soup.

Step 2

Boost carbon dioxide levels in your aquarium to starve red algae. Oxygen works to starve algae, which prevents them from growing. Invest in aeration devices such as airstones, bubble disks, and air pumps. This will boost carbon dioxide levels and even add give your fish some fun items to play with.

Purchase carbon dioxide boosters from pet stores and online suppliers.

Step 3

Decrease excess food to remove algae nutrition for blue-green and brown algae. Although fish need food to survive, too much leads to high ammonia and phosphate levels in your tank. The end result is often increased algae growth. Always stick to small portions of food that your fish can eat quickly to keep your tank clean and maintain a steady, effective feeding schedule. Ideally, you should feed your fish 1 to 2 times daily with minimal portions.

Take note of leftover foods—if you see any, decrease the size of the next batch of food.

Use an automatic feeder to ensure timely feeding and prevent overfeeding.

Step 4

Add live plants to your aquarium to decrease brown and green algae. Live plants provide algae with resource competition and inhibit their growth. Over time, they starve algae by consuming excess nutrients in the water that are needed for algae survival. Start by adding 1 or 2 and increase the amount if necessary.

Use Java Moss, Amazon Sword, Java Fern, Hornwort, Dwarf Lilies, Water Wisteria, and Crypt Wendtii for the best results.

Keep an eye on algae levels after adding plants to gauge their effect. If algae levels aren't changing, add more plants!

Be aware that some plants do not do well with high powered filters. Find a balance between filtration, your fish species, and the type of plants that they can be housed with.

Step 5

Decrease your tank's light exposure to prevent green algae growth. Keep the aquarium away from unshaded windows and only turn the aquarium lights on when viewing your fish. This will decrease green algae levels tremendously. In addition, always keep your tank out of direct sunlight for the best results. If you need to put your aquarium near a window, install some curtains so you can control the light exposure of your aquarium. In general, about 8 to 12 hours of light per day is ideal for aquariums with plants.

Decrease your aquarium's light exposure to 6 to 10 hours a day if it doesn't have plants.

Connect your lights to automatic timers to control light exposure.

If decreasing light exposure isn't working, trying decreasing the intensity of your lights.

Change your light bulbs at least once a year.

Step 6

Introduce algae-eating fish, shrimp, and snails into your aquarium. The catfish, bushy-nosed pleco, and Siamese algae eater are common algae-eating fish. For shrimp, stick with Amano Shrimp and Red Cherry Shrimp. Any freshwater snail will likely be effective.

Nerite snails, Mystery Snails, Ivory Snails, and Gold Inca Snails are all great choices.

In terms of fish for saltwater tanks, angelfish, blennies or tangs are great choices.

Don't rely solely on algae-eating species to control your problem.

Step 7

Keep phosphate levels below 0.05 ppm. Higher phosphate levels can lead to algae proliferation. Purchase a test kit for phosphate from a local aquarium. Now, fill the tube to the required level and add your testing solution. Shake the tube and match the water color to the provided chart to determine the phosphate levels.

Add poly filters or a carbon-phosphate remover to the tank to decrease phosphate levels.

Step 8

Maintain nitrate levels between 20 and 40 ppm. The presence of nitrate can help algae grow. Head to a local aquarium and purchase a nitrate testing kit. Now, fill the test tube to the indicated level, add your testing solution, and shake the tube. Match the color of the water to the testing kit's chart to determine nitrate levels.

Change water weekly to keep nitrate levels low.

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