Knowing what causes algae overgrowth is the first half of the battle. Next, work to prevent or rectify an algae overgrowth situation by taking these steps:
1) Control the Aquarium Lights
If you turn on your aquarium lights when you wake up and turn them off before bed, the extended light cycle may be encouraging extra algae growth. Put your lights on a timer to replicate a day/night schedule and stick to it. Keep lights on 10-14 hours per day for planted aquariums, 6-10 for ornamental setups. Also, change bulbs at least once a year. Aquarium bulbs lose their spectrum and intensity as they age; this weakened light will likely encourage algae growth.
2) Watch excess food
The general rule is that if your fish hasn’t eaten his food within 3-5 minutes, you’ve given too much. Cut back on how much food you put in the tank to prevent algae growth.
3) Water Change
The single most important way to avoid algae is to perform regular water changes. Change 10 to 15 percent of your aquarium water every week to keep nutrients in the water low. This will remove the nitrate that accumulates in aquariums, which is one of the main fertilizers for plants.
4) Know Your Water
Test your water source. If it is high in phosphate, you should consider using phosphate removing chemicals available at your aquarium store, or find another water source, such as filtered water. Also, it is wise to test for nitrate, as some water sources have elevated nitrate levels. It does not do much good to change the water if you are adding nutrients back into the aquarium with the tap water.
5) Clean it Up
If you see algae beginning to grow on the glass, rocks, or other hard surfaces of the tank, remove it. Scrape the glass, remove rocks, and scrub them.2 Vacuum the gravel when you perform water changes.
6) Change Filter Material
A common misconception is that a filter removes waste from your system. This is not the truth. In actuality, filters grab and hold waste. Any waste a filter grabs is still in the system until the filter is cleaned out. Just like the waste in the gravel, this waste is turning into nitrates and nitrate is feeding algae. Most filter material can be rinsed clean a couple times before needing to be replaced. Change or rinse your filter material ideally once a week, but if that is not practical for you, make sure to do It after performing your water change.
7) Stock with Algae-Hungry Catfish
Put some fish in your community to work on cleanup duty. While many algae-eating Plecos grow far too large for small aquariums, the Dwarf Otocinclus Catfish is just the right size. This hardy worker seems endlessly busy, seeking out any plant or structure with a hint of algae. Another small catfish, the Cory Cat, patrols the bottom of your aquarium, vacuuming up excess fish food and plant leaves before they can rot and turn into dangerous ammonia and nitrite.
Algae can be frustrating, but with a little knowledge under your belt and the willingness to do a little work, it should never be an issue.
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