How to Grow Aquarium Algae

People consider algae to be hostile to their aquarium's environment; however, all healthy aquariums should have some algae. Algae serves an important roll in an aquarium's health, consuming nutrients that can be harmful if allowed to accumulate. Good levels of algae grow naturally in a healthy aquarium. Bad levels of algae grow in poorly maintained aquariums. Follow these steps to control algae and maintain a healthy balance in your aquarium.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Provide light to promote growth of healthy algae. Leave tank lights on for 8 to 10 hours, but no longer. Keep your tank out of direct sunlight to prevent excess algae.

2. Maintain proper levels of nutrients, such as nitrates and phosphates. Algae require phosphate and nitrates to grow, but algae grows in excess when there are too many nitrates and phosphates.

3. Replace 10 percent of the water each week or 25 percent of the water every three weeks with clean distilled or de-ionized water. Vacuum the gravel in the tank when you do water changes.

4. Place a small submersible pump in your tank to increase movement of the water. This prevents too many algae spores from settling in your aquarium.

5. Add plants or coral to your aquarium. Plants compete for nutrients and algae can't grow in excess. They also support the growth of healthy green algae.

6. Remove excess algae no more than once per week. Excess algae should be removed with a algae scrubber.

7. Get some algae eaters such as Siamese algae eaters, American Flag Fish, or Otocinclus. They consume hair, thread and black brush algae. Watch any algae eaters you add to the tank to ensure they don't eat your plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Using copper to treat excess algae can result in the degradation of healthy green algae.
• Don't use algaecides to remove excess algae. Algaecides may remove too much algae as well as kill your plants.