How to Remove Algae from Your Tank
Algae to some extent provide eco balance in the aquarium tank and they provide oxygen and can consume the excess nutrients in the aquarium. However they cover the walls with green gunk that converts your crystal clear aquarium tank to hardly visible through and clouded. The water gets so dirty that you hardly get to enjoy the beautiful fishes inside. Excessive algae also pose another threat where if any fish is not doing well, you may miss to notice them since the tank is clouded up. Algae can be removed by scrubbing the interiors of the aquarium using a scraper or a scrubbing pad. The algae must be removed before changing the water, since water gets contaminated after scraping the algae from the tank. Scrubbing pads used for regular cleaning should not be used to clean an aquarium since they may contain fungicidal residue which may be harmful for the fish. After scrubbing the algae, you may remove about half the quantity of water from the tank and refill the aquarium with fresh dechlorinated water. A mechanical filter should be fixed to the aquarium and that helps to remove the algae in the water after scraping them from the walls. Algae grow excessively with large amount of lighting so if your tank is exposed to sunlight that promotes excessive growth of algae. The aquarium should be kept away from the sunlight spot like near the windows, doors or vents. If that is not possible, then you may use an ornamental backdrop or a black piece of cloth on the sides of the tank that is exposed to the sunlight. The lighting that is provided to the aquarium will also assist in algae growth. You may set a timer to the tank’s lighting that turns on and off automatically. Another factor that promotes algae growth is by excessively feeding the fishes. The excess food settles in the bottom of the tank where they decompose and provide required nutrition for the algae to survive. In addition to that decomposed food and fish waste increases the level of toxic elements in the water and proves fatal for the fishes. Algae growth can be controlled by growing live plants in the aquarium. The plants feed on the available nutrients that algae eat up thereby controlling algae growth. Excessive number of fishes produces more waste thereby promoting more algae. Algae feed on fish wastes hence you may either opt not to add too many fishes or you may add a scavenger fish. Crabs and snails are scavengers too and they feed on the excess food from the bottom of the tank. Scavengers may also eat the algae from the tank walls and are popularly known as algae eater. By cleaning the tanks regularly, and keeping them out of direct sunlight and by using filters and avoiding overfeeding the fishes the algae growth can be controlled to a considerable extent. More Articles on Aquarium Care: | 