Controlling algae growth in your aquarium may seem like a daunting task, but doing so is a basic way to keep your water clean and your livestock healthy. Some algae growth can be fun, but too much can be devastating. Consistent aquarium maintenance is the best way to keep only an appropriate amount of algae in the tank. Following are six steps that can help.
1. Start with the best water.
At Seatech H2O and Seatech Aquariums, we only use RODI water in fish tanks. It is 100 percent pure H2O, which assures that there are no impurities in the water that can compromise your aquarium environment.
2. Resist the urge to toss food into the fish tank every time you walk by.
Overfeeding fish can lead to one problem after another. The more fish eat, the more waste they make. The more waste they make, the harder it is for the manmade filters, plants, gravel, rocks, and bottom feeders to clean the water. The dirtier the water is, the higher the risk of disease within the fish tank community.
3. Include everything we mentioned above in the aquarium.
Add manmade filters, live or artificial plants, gravel, rocks, and bottom dwellers into the tank. They each have a role in creating an optimal environment for your fish and other livestock. Check your filters regularly to make sure they are working properly as well.
4. Regularly clean the decor and gravel.
Avoid harmful chemicals when cleaning your aquarium, but do maintain a regular cleaning schedule. Vacuum the gravel, and if your rocks and artificial plants are teeming with algae, remove them from the tank and let them bask in the sun for a few days. Afterward, you can wash the dried up algae right off – with RODI water of course. While these items are outside, add a backup set of plants and rocks into the tank, or the fish might feel displaced.
5. Change the fish tank water the right way.
When you change the fish tank water, only change a little at a time. Some of the waste and acids created in the tank are natural, and this is more ideal for an aquarium environment. If you have a reef or saltwater planted tank, only change 15 to 20% of the water every two weeks. For freshwater and saltwater swim/fish only tanks, change about 20 to 25% of the water.
You should also make sure the new RODI water is of a temperature similar to the temperature of the water in the tank. Water that is too hot or too cold can endanger your wildlife.
6. Make an effort to stop the formation of algae before it starts.
Rather than doing damage control afterward, controlling algae growth to begin with is even better. In addition to consistent aquarium maintenance, try algae control solutions, such as those available from Marineland and Brightwell Aquatics. Another way to reduce algae growth is to avoid placing a fish tank in direct sunlight, as algae gets it energy from the sun.