Control Algae in Your Fish Tanks

Dr. Anuja Kenekar

January 04, 2021

Aquaculture

What Are The Best Ways To Control Algae in Your Fish Tanks

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An aquarist would often find algal blooms as a green covering on the aquarium. Many people do not detest it at first, as it makes an aquarium look more natural. But since algae grow rapidly, it can be a cause of concern.

Algae are one of the oldest forms of green plants on planet earth. It can adapt to different kinds of environments and inhabit everywhere.

Although algae growth is a natural occurrence in a fish tank, the imbalance of carbon dioxide, light, and nutrients can cause algae formation.

Subsequently, it can cause water pollution and an unpleasant environment and can affect the aesthetics of the tank.

Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on algae buildup and take necessary action. Here are some of the ways in which you can control algae growth in your fish tank.

  • Algae eaters

Algae are a great source of food for several fish species. The most common fish types that feed on algae are Plecostomus or Pleco.

They are sometimes too big for an aquarium. Rubber-nose pleco, little otocinclus (a type of catfish), and tiny snails are other good alternatives. You can easily add them to the fish tank.

Make sure to use the best algae eater depending on your aquarium environment, the scale of the algae problem, and compatibility.

  • Water Change

Good fish tank maintenance involves regular water changes. This practice will help in diluting and removal of unwanted algae nutrients that builds up slowly in the aquarium.

Also, clean and healthy water for fish helps in keeping tanks algae-free. But fish in the tank may face abiotic stress due to frequent water changes and become more susceptible to diseases.

  • Lighting

Extended exposure to light can lead to excess algae-growth because it produces the food using photosynthesis process.

Therefore, limiting light is one of the best ways to control algae. As fish can live in ambient room light, it is fine to keep the aquarium away from direct sunlight and other light sources.

  • Overfeeding Fish

Overfeeding fish can cause algae to thrive. The food that is left uneaten often settles down as substrate and breaks down. This acts as an essential nutrient for algae to grow and spread.

It is important to consider how much food is required by fish in your aquarium and limit it accordingly.

This will help in creating a healthier environment in the fish tank and prevent algae formation.

  • Nutrients

Nutrients like nitrate and phosphate can help algae growth. Biological filtration process, fish food, fish waste, and tap water can increase the amount of such nutrients in the fish tank.

If you have a new planted aquarium, algal bloom usually will occur within the first few months, this is because of the lack of beneficial bacteria being present in the fish tank that are responsible for converting ammonia.

Thus, an increased quantity of ammonia supports algae growth.

Sometimes, it is a difficult task to prevent algal bloom in fish tanks as the methods require dedicated time, energy, and resources.

You can use algae treatment solutions that can address all these issues and prevent algae growth.

Organica Biotech is one of the leading companies providing an effective solution to keep your aquarium clean and healthy.

Bioclean Aquarium is a natural fish tank cleaner containing a consortium of specially selected beneficial probiotics that degrade uneaten fish food & fish excreta.

In addition, it also controls pathogenic microbes and foul odour emanation and is capable of reducing ammonia levels, too.

Thus, Bioclean Aquarium solves all the issues that cause algae growth in the aquarium, and therefore it is one of the best ways to control algae in your fish tank.

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