Removing Algae from Your Aquarium

Algae can grow on the glass of your aquarium until it is so thick you can hardly see your fish. Before it gets so bad, take a little time to clean it. Algae does provide oxygen to your fish and can consume extra nutrients in the water, but too much algae is not a good thing.

If your tank has too much algae, you won't be able to enjoy your fish. Thick algae can even prevent you from seeing if your fish are doing poorly. It cuts down on your visibility a great deal.

Algae should be removed occasionally, but not too frequently. It is easy to scrub it off the sides of the tank using a scraper or scrubbing pad. Be sure you get these supplies at a fish store, as similar products bought in the cleaning aisle of your local mega mart may be harmful to fish. Once you've scrubbed off the algae, remove some of the old water (this old water makes terrific food for your plants) and add some fresh water that has been de-chlorinated. A mechanical filter works great at removing the floating algae that has been freshly removed from your aquarium walls.

Algae thrives with a lot of light, so if your tank gets sunlight, you will have accelerated algae growth. Set up your tank far away from windows to avoid exposure to sunlight. If you can't move your tank, you may want to put a backdrop on your aquarium or drape a black cloth behind it to block the sun. You can also get a timer for your hood lights so they turn on and off automatically to reflect a normal day. This will help prevent algae overgrowth in your tank.

Overfeeding your fish may also contribute to algae growth. The food stays in the water, providing nutrients the algae needs to grow. Extra food also sinks to the bottom of the tank to rot. This changes the water quality, which can make your fish ill. Live plants will help prevent algae overgrowth because it will compete for the nutrients in the water.

Don't overstock your tank with too many fish. Each fish produces a certain amount of waste, which also produces nutrients for algae growth. If you really want to add another fish to your tank, consider a scavenging species. Scavengers include some fish, crabs or snails that will help clean up excess food waste from the bottom of the tank. One fish, called an algae eater, will even eat the algae right off the walls of the aquarium. Snails can be useful for this task as well, though they can cause a little population explosion of their own sometimes.

If you maintain your filters, keep your tank out of direct sunlight and don't overfeed your fish, regular tank maintenance will keep your algae under control. You'll be rewarded with a crystal clear tank with healthy fish that you can enjoy every day.

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