How to control algae growth in the aquarium

How to control algae growth in the aquarium

Algae are a very common yet difficult problem associated with fish keeping. It can greatly ruin the beauty of any aquarium. But you must not worry too much because there are ways to control algae. In this article you will learn about the major causes of excessive aquarium algae as well as the methods to treat the problem.

Before we come to the point of how to control this problem, you must know that the growth of algae in a fish tank is a very normal thing. Moreover, it is not possible to fully stop the growth of alga. If you remove algae from your front glass you will notice that it has repapered the next week at the same place. But if instead of a week or two it has grown back in one or two days then it is important for you to read this article and learn about the ways to control algae.

Causes of Algae

When you want to control algae from growing in your aquarium, it is crucial for you to know the reason behind its growth. Algae require a few things in order to survive. These things are light, lack of predators and nutrients. If these things are not there then it will take a lot of time and difficulty for algae to remain and grow in your fish tank. So for eradicating this problem you must attack these take adequate steps as soon as possible

Lighting

Light plays a very crucial role in the growth of algae. Your tank light should not remain on for more than 8 hours a day. In this case a timer can be of great help as it can ensure that the tank is getting adequate light. Moreover, never expose your fish tank to direct sun light. If you have a fish tank just beside a window and sun light falls on the tank the whole day, then you are asking for trouble.

However, just as too much light can lead to excessive algae, so also too little light. Particularly brown allege flourish in dark.

Also, see that you are changing your tank bulb every 6-12 months. This is because the bulbs gradually lose their intensity which can result in more algae growth.

The type of light that you are using also plays an important role in the growth of algae. For example, actinic lights are good for saltwater. But now these are more frequently used in freshwater tanks. These actinic bulbs have the potential to encourage algae outbreaks.

Nutrients

Algae, for rapid growth, need nutrients from the water where they reside. Theses nutrients are primarily take the shape of nitrates or phosphates. So if your tank is experiencing algae problem you can do test for the presence of these compounds. If the result of the test reveals high levels, you must test your tape water to see if it is naturally high in these components or not. If the result is positive then you can buy distilled water for your fish tank.

But if the result is negative and your tape water is not high in those components, then it is possible that you have an overcrowded tank or maybe you are overfeeding g your fish. If you continuously overfeed them, the food residue will lead to high nitrates presence. In such a case it is essential that you reduce the feeding quantity to control the nitrates. You can also do frequent water changes which can help you in reducing nitrate concentration.

Regarding the matter of overcrowding, you must see if you are following the general rule for stocking fish which says that one inch of fish per gallon of water is perfect. If you have a smaller fish tank with a lot of fish in it can lead to overcrowding. The waste produced by the fish will increase the phosphates and nitrate concentration in the water. So when you are buying new fish always keep in mind the size of your fish tank and also the future adult size of the babies that you are buying now.

POST COMMENT

Aquarium & fish care - 30 points to remember How to get the right fish for your aquarium Aquarium Plants in Freshwater Setting Up A Mini Aquarium Brave Dungeons Within Wow: Cataclysm Face In The Aquarium Spend Time to Choose Your Aquarium Salt Aquarium Freshwater Fish - Select the Right Fish From the Start How To Keep Freshwater Angelfish In Your Aquarium Freshwater Aquarium Setup - Start Out With The Right Substrate Breeding Guppy Fish Aquarium Wall Aquariums Provide The Perfectly Pleasurable Background To Any Area Freshwater Aquarium PH - Is This Something To Worry About? Aquarium Refractometers, A Must For Maintaining Your Aquarium