The appearance and growth of algae in an aquarium
is not bad, it's just the natural order of things. In fact, it shows that
an aquarium is well balanced and healthy, and the cultivation of macro
forms is actually beneficial. Only when the algae is allowed to grow out
of control and cover everything in the tank is when it becomes a problem.
The above contributing factors are what can allow algae to grow into nuisance
proportions, and here are suggested standard methods that can help to reduce
or control them:
-
Remove excess amounts by hand, siphoning or filtration.
-
Adjust the lighting higher or lower, depending on
the type of algae you are dealing with.
-
Remove excess
nutrients (DOC's) through protein skimming.
-
Reduce nitrates and phosphates.
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Reduce silicates by using the proper substrate (gravel/sand/live
sand) material. Aragonite types are best.
-
Use RO or DI water for make-up or top-off water.
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Use a good quality sea salt mix. (Be careful when
choosing carbon too, as this can introduce unwanted elements as well).
-
Increase or decrease the water flow or circulation
in the aquarium, depending on the type of algae you are dealing with. For
example, Cyanobacteria species like red
slime algae prefer low current areas, while most hair/filamentous
species prefer high current areas.
-
Add natural algae eating critters. Various forms
of green, brown and red algae can provide browsing food for many types
fish and inverts, and many macroalgae species are actually cultivated in
the aquarium for this purpose. There are a lot of marine inhabitants that
depend on algae as a major part of their diets. Tangs and Surgeonfishes
of the Zebrasoma & Ctenochaetus species, and most Angelfishes
are prime examples.
-
If your fish friends can't keep up with the algae growth,
you can periodically harvest
it to keep it in check without completely eradicating it from your system.
Introducing additional herbivores like Snails and Hermit Crabs, as well
as detritivores like Starfishes, Cucumbers and Marine Worms are all greatly
beneficial. Just be sure to get the correct types that will eat
the kind of algae you are dealing with.
-
Grow some competitive macroalgae. In Robert Fenner's
(author of The Conscientious Marine Aquarist) WetWebMedia
Green
Algae-The Chlorophyta article he discusses both good and pest types
of macroalgae. Under the Benefits - Algae Control section he points out
that by growing an initial batch of algae, this in turn can "limit" the
growth of unwanted pests types like slime, hair, fungus and bacteria forms.
Because all algae compete for the same light, nutrients and space
that is available in an aquarium, the growth of a good type of competitive
macroalgae deprives the pest types of these elements to grow aggressively.
There are endless chemical additive products
on the market for algae removal and control, but we feel that proper aquarium
maintenance is the key! With good
tank
management, algae should not present a problem. The only time we see
an algae "bloom" in our tank is when we have missed a few routine cleanings
on the tank and filter. If you feel you need to use over the counter remedies,
talk to a knowledgeable pet shop or mail order supplier that can recommend
products to use, and use
properly we might add.
Did You Know: Copper sulfate was originally
used in ponds and tanks for algae control, and it was a secondary discovery
that it also helped control parasites on fish. If you have ever treated
a fish-only tank (no LR, corals or inverts) with copper,
you may have noticed you didn't have an algae problem.
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