How to Clean Algae in Fish Tank

Algae are never bad at all. In fact, having algae would imply that your fish tank can live on its own. Algae is life supporting giving your fishes a guarantee that the aquarium they have is close to the place where they truly belong. But for some reason, most if not all, would not love to see these algae inside their fish tanks. Thus, many people would have questions in mind on how to remove algae.

Algaecides

People and experts who use algaecides do not actually have the guarantee of completely eradicating algae. It has a side effect that can be lethal to your fish as well as the other plants in the aquarium.

Algae pads and scrapers

Commercial products use to combat algae are widely available in the market. Pads and scrapers are one of them; you may have these in various sizes (magnetic scrubbers or long handled scrubbers). It would be most convenient for some to use a small pad and for virtual satisfaction magnetic scrubbers would really do. There is a battle between purchasing one from the pet shop versus in the houseware department of a store. In reality, they may look the same but the ones sold in the houseware section may have some chemical or soap that can be lethal to your fishes. The ones bought in the pet shop though may really serve its purpose of getting rid of algae.

Algae eater or Plecostomus

Fact or myth: does Plecostomus effectively eat algae? Answer: Not all! Some people may have luck with Plecostomus but that rarely happens. Well, for some they can eat but not as effectively and some cannot really even at all.

Effective steps of getting rid of Algae:

• As needed, you may scrub the sides of the aquarium to remove algae. This is best done when you are changing water from your fish tank. Do this step as quickly as possible when draining water, so that the algae would flow out through the tank together with the dirty water.
• Regular changing of water – about 10-15% of it should be done at least once a week.
• See to it that your tank does not receive direct sunlight since this can facilitate overgrowth of algae.
• Never over feed your fish. Feeding should only be given once a day and be consumed after 2 minutes. Remember that excess food will create nutrients for algae’s growth and contribute to water that is poor in quality and fish health.
• All the additives you put in the tank should not have phosphates or nitrates as they may provide additional nutrients to them.
• Take good control of the population in the tank as this would contribute to increased waste levels resulting to algae growth and poorer fish health.

Plants to Control Algae

This is found to be an effective measure in controlling algae. Probably, a healthy community of plants will be more efficient to absorb all the nutrients in the water than algae benefiting from it.

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