| It is impossible to eliminate algae altogether, and you | | | | include different kinds of plants in your setup so they |
| should not be frustrated by the persistent nature of | | | | will compete for iron and other nutrients algae feeds |
| algae to accumulate. What you can do is control the | | | | off of in order to how a low opportunity for algae to |
| condition under which plant life and fish thrives and | | | | survive. |
| algae does not. First, how much light are you allowing | | | | Your first battle is likely to be with brown algae, or |
| into your tank area? If you have light for more than | | | | diatoms, because it appears first by siphoning silicon |
| ten hours a day, you are assisting algae grow in your | | | | from the new aquarium tank itself, and unlike other |
| tank, so don't keep the lights on 24-7. You can | | | | stages of algae, it is unaffected by low lighting levels, |
| purchase algae eating fish if that would fit with your | | | | so controlling light will not stop it from thriving. You |
| aquarium's motif. Some fish types that consume | | | | can effectively combat it by changing water and |
| algae are three breeds of suckermouth catfish, the | | | | gravel often. Diatoms thrive in conditions where |
| Ancistrus, Peckoltia, and Otocinlus. In addition, the | | | | phosphate is low and silicon is high, and this is |
| Siamese Algae Eater, Crossocheilus siamensis is a | | | | generally what your scenario will be when you first |
| great choice for controlling the algae in your tank. If | | | | start your aquarium. As time progresses and the |
| you have a large tank, then the Common Plec is a | | | | environment changes, brown algae is usually replaced |
| good choice as well. But they are aggressive fish and | | | | by green algae, because green algae thrives in a |
| do grow to huge size. Saltwater fish that are | | | | higher phosphate environment. |
| excellent for algae consumption are most tangs | | | | Green algae is apparently delicious and the best way |
| surgeon fish, or any grazer. | | | | to get rid of it is to bring in those algae eating catish |
| The next step in controlling algae is to consistently | | | | and/or Siamese. Combined with keeping your |
| change the water itself. By doing this, you are | | | | aquarium only lit for a maximum of ten hours a day |
| controlling the nutrient levels in the tank, which is | | | | and simple manual removal of clumps of green algae, |
| crucial. Controlling nitrates, phosphates, and silicates | | | | you can control what is typically the most usual and |
| are especially important. Another thing to look for is | | | | common algae growth in your aquarium. |
| how you are controlling the iron in the tank. You can | | | | |