Algae growth is inevitable and is a reason for stress for many aquarium owners. It is not just unsightly but it can also harm fish and other aquatic life. While there are many chemical products on the market designed to control algae growth, these can be expensive and may harm the delicate balance of your aquarium’s ecosystem.
Fortunately, there are many natural ways to control algae growth that are both effective and safe for your aquarium’s inhabitants.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore 11 natural ways to control algae in your aquarium.
Why is algae control important in Your Aquarium?
Algae control is important in your aquarium for several reasons. Firstly, excessive algae growth can be unsightly and can detract from the overall appearance of your aquarium. It can also be a sign of poor water quality or other imbalances in your aquarium’s ecosystem, which can ultimately harm the health of your fish and other inhabitants.
Furthermore, some types of algae can be harmful to your fish and other aquatic life. For example, some species of blue-green algae can release toxins into the water that can cause health issues for your fish, and some species of algae can also clog filters and impede water flow, leading to additional maintenance issues.
Additionally, algae growth can compete with your plants for nutrients and light, which can prevent your plants from thriving and growing properly. This can be problematic if you’re keeping live plants in your aquarium, as they play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by oxygenating the water and removing harmful toxins.
Overall, controlling algae growth in your aquarium is important to ensure a healthy and attractive environment for your fish and other aquatic life.
11 Natural Ways to Control Algae
Here are 11 natural ways to stop algae growth in an aquarium.
Reduce Light Exposure
The first step to controlling algae growth in an aquarium is to reduce the amount of light exposure in the aquarium.
Light is the primary source of energy for algae growth, as in the presence of light, photosynthesis occurs, which causes algae growth. If you have a planted aquarium, keep the lights on only for 5-8 hours per day, and if you have a fish-only aquarium, you can completely shut off the lights to prevent algae growth.
Avoid Overfeeding
Overfeeding fish can contribute to algae growth in an aquarium. When you overfeed your fish, excess food particles are left uneaten, which then decompose and release nutrients into the water. These excess nutrients can fuel the growth of algae, leading to an increase in algae growth in your aquarium.
To prevent overfeeding, it’s important to feed your fish in small amounts and only what they can consume within a few minutes. You should also avoid feeding your fish more than once or twice a day, as this can contribute to overfeeding and excess food waste and algae growth.
Perform water changes
Performing regular water changes is an effective way to control algae growth in your aquarium. Water changes help remove excess nutrients that contribute to algae growth and can help restore a healthy balance in your aquarium’s ecosystem.
To perform a water change, you’ll need to remove a portion of the water in your aquarium and replace it with fresh, clean water.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended to perform a 10-20% water change every one to two weeks. This can help maintain water quality and prevent excess nutrient buildup, which can in turn help prevent algae growth.
Add live plants
Adding live plants to your aquarium is another effective way to control algae growth. Live plants consume the same nutrients that algae need to grow, such as nitrates and phosphates, thus reducing the amount of these nutrients in the water and limiting algae growth.
Some great options for live plants include java moss and hornwort, as well as many other types of aquatic plants. Not only do live plants help control algae, they also provide other benefits such as oxygenation of the water and a natural habitat for your fish.
Add algae-eating fish, shrimp, and snails
Adding algae-eating fish, shrimp, and snails to your aquarium is another effective way to control algae growth. These aquatic creatures naturally feed on algae, helping to keep it in check and prevent overgrowth.
Some popular algae-eating fish include Siamese algae eaters, plecos, and otocinclus catfish. Shrimp such as Amano shrimp and cherry shrimp are also great at consuming algae, as are snails like Nerite snails and Mystery snails.
Related: 7 Best algae-eating Snails for Aquarium
It’s important to note that while these creatures can help control algae growth, they shouldn’t be relied on as the sole method of algae control. You should still maintain proper lighting and nutrient levels, perform regular water changes, and practice other good aquarium maintenance habits.
Change your filter regularly
Changing your aquarium filter regularly is an important step in controlling algae growth. Filters help remove excess nutrients and waste from the water, which can promote the growth of algae. Over time, filters can become clogged with debris and lose their effectiveness, which can lead to an increase in algae growth.
Test your water Chemistry
Testing your aquarium’s water chemistry is an important step in controlling algae growth. Algae thrive in water that has high levels of nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate. By testing the water regularly, you can identify any imbalances in the water’s chemistry and take corrective action to prevent algae growth.
Maintain Nitrate and phosphate levels
The level of phosphate and nitrate in your aquarium should be below 0.05 ppm and between 20-40 ppm, respectively. Higher levels of phosphate and nitrate contribute to algae proliferation. So, it is important to keep them in check.
Avoid water fluctuations.
Avoiding water fluctuations is another important step in controlling algae growth in your aquarium. Fluctuations in water temperature, pH, and other water parameters can stress out your fish and other aquatic creatures, weaken their immune systems, and create an environment that is more conducive to algae growth.
To avoid water fluctuations, you should maintain a consistent water temperature, pH level, and other water parameters that are appropriate for your specific aquarium inhabitants. This can be achieved through the use of a high-quality aquarium heater, a pH testing kit, and other necessary equipment.
Implement Blackout Period
Blackout periods involve turning off all lights in the aquarium for a specific period of time, typically 2-3 days. This is done to prevent the growth of algae that require light for photosynthesis. During this time, it’s important to limit any source of light to the aquarium, including indirect light from windows or other sources.
While a blackout period can be an effective way to control algae growth, it’s important to note that it can also be stressful for your fish and other inhabitants. It’s recommended to only use this method as a last resort and to ensure that your aquarium is well-maintained and healthy before implementing a blackout period.
Additionally, it’s important to monitor the water parameters during and after the blackout period to ensure that they remain stable and suitable for your fish and other inhabitants. It’s also a good idea to perform a water change after the blackout period to remove any dead or decaying plant matter or algae.
Overall, a blackout period can be an effective natural algae control method when used appropriately and with caution.
Keep your tank clean
Keeping your aquarium clean is essential for controlling algae growth. Algae thrive in dirty and debris-filled water. So, it is important to maintain a clean and healthy environment for your aquarium inhabitants.
Some tips to keep your aquarium clean are:
- Do regular water changes
- Clean the gravel
- Clean the glass
- Remove dead plants and debris regularly.
- Maintain water filters.
Related: How to clean a fish tank?
Reason for Algae Growth In Fish Tanks
Like all plants, algae too require light, water, and nutrients for its growth. When these nutrients are present in excessive amounts then the growth of algae is unstoppable. Other conditions like inappropriate care and maintenance also lead to an algae boom.
Some of the reasons for algae growth are:
- Overfeeding your fish. It produces excessive amounts of waste products which will act as a source of nutrients for the algae.
- Excessive light exposure
- Overcrowding in tank
- Poor maintenance
- Fluctuation in Water and pH
- Lack of natural algae-eaters
Conclusion
When you build an aquarium, it is impossible to completely stop the growth of algae. Every aquarist has to deal with algae growth problems in any part of their fish-keeping journey. Some aquarists become so stressed that they started to use harsh chemicals or anti-algae drugs to remove it, which is totally a wrong approach.
Using anti-algae chemicals can be harmful to your fish and other aquatic life. They should be your last option to use. Before using chemicals try to know the cause of algae growth and apply natural ways to stop it. Natural ways to control algae will be so effective for you.
Here, at Crazy Pet Club, we tried to make all steps clear to you.
FAQ Section
What are some natural ways to kill algae in aquariums?
Some natural ways to kill algae in your aquarium include:
- Stop overfeeding
- Reduce light exposure
- Clean aquarium regularly
- Add algae-eating fish, shrimp, and snails
- Make frequent water changes
How can I get rid of red algae naturally?
Red algae is produced in the aquarium when the amount of Carbon dioxide is low. To reduce it naturally add carbon dioxide in the tank with the help of aeration devices.
What are some algae-eating snails? Do they really work?
Some algae-eating snails are Nerite snails, Mystery snails, and ivory snails. Yes! Algae-eating snail helps to reduce algae growth by eating them up.