Comments on: How to Get Rid of Algae in Your Aquarium

on 11/11/2007 Another method for getting rid of excess algae is to cover the tank with black plastic garbage bags for about a week. Don't feed your fish because they'll eat the algae. It is a good idea to check on them every couple of days. Without light, the algae cannot photosynthesize and it will die off. Then, siphon off any debris and do a 50% water change. This works best with smaller tanks.

on 3/7/2007 I stopped at a Petsmart store and asked if they had anything I could use to rid my fish tank of snails. Everything they mentioned I had tried without success.This one worker in the fish dept. told to try vinegar that it wouldn't harm the fish! Has anyone ever heard of vinegar being use to eliminate snails. What would the ratio of vinegar to water be? I need to find a way to rid my aquarium of these snails w/o having to empty the tank and throw everything away. one last question when removing the fish from the tank do snail cling onto fish and go along for a ride into another tank. thank-you

on 2/20/2007 I have been trying not to use a chemical in my tank but I do have plants and it has worked before. I have some fish eating my plants. -? Not sure which one. Could the one I have that got rid of the snail problem also be eating my plants? I never catch any of them. But the algae is getting bad now too. If I use the chemical, will it kill my baby fish? I have one (a Platy) that is now a month old but there's a new one in there that is probably onle a week. Any ideas for the algae? (I've tried catching the baby by the way and he's too little and quick. We can't seem to get him yet.)

on 8/4/2006 I wouldn't recommend using a Buf-Puff (which, for you non girlie types, is a product sold to exfoliate your face) or any other type of kitchen/facial/bathroom scrubber to take algae off of a tank. They all contain chemicals (yes, even the facial buffers have chemicals on them) from the manufacturing process that will cause contamination. Splurge on a scrubber that is designed to remove algae. I got mine at WalMart for a buck and a half (whereas Buf-Puffs -which I use on my face- go for 0.99 two isles down).

on 6/30/2006 For particularly tough algae, and for those with plants in the tank (thus scrubbing plants really isn't an option), place towels or blankets around the tank. Be sure to cover all sides of the tank, as well as have it thick enough so that light cannot enter the tank. After 3 days, check the tank-algae status. I have a very heavily planted tank, and I've used this method (for 5 days) with great success, and minimal damage to plants.

The best method I've found for snail removal is getting fish that eat them, particularly loaches or botias. Check with your local store for which specie to get, since some of them can reach upward of 10-12 inches (not the best for smaller tanks).

on 3/23/2006 For a snail infestation, put a slice of cucumber on the bottom of your tank overnight. By morning it will be covered with snails and easy to remove. Repeat until your problem is gone.

on 11/22/2005 If you have them, rid your tank of snails. What I did is I took all the gravel out and washed it with hot water. After this, there were no more problems.

on 11/22/2005 Having read a couple of books on apple snails which said "a population explosion is unlikely" I have found that this is rubbish. From 2 snails I have given several hundred to my local fish centres and still have the little beasts leaping out of the tank and walking over the carpet. There are, however, no algae in my tanks (only 8).

on 11/22/2005 Clean the gravel and rocks in your tank monthly with a siphon hose, and don't overfeed your fish because the leftover fish food is nutrient-rich and feeds and promotes algae growth.

on 11/22/2005 I would be careful when using snails. Snails reproduce fairly quickly and they could be your next problem after you get rid of the algae. If you have other desirable plants in your tank, they might damage them too.

on 11/22/2005 A chemical called "algae destroyer" made by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Inc. added monthly almost completely does the trick.

on 11/22/2005 Not the pesty snails you don't want, but applewhites and other "pet" snail. Read all labels and check with your pet store before using in a tank containing aquarium snails.