How to Get Rid of Dark Colored Algae in a Tank

The algae found in both freshwater and saltwater tanks come in several colors, including dark brown, green and red. This unwanted growth will spring up when least expected and, despite a person's best efforts, will continue to grow and eventually overtake the tank. Controlling your tank's dark-colored algae is an ongoing process that involves altering the environment of the tank to make it difficult for the algae to propagate.

Things You'll Need

  • Full-spectrum aquarium light
  • Aquarium plants
  • Algae-consuming fish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove your tank from direct sunlight. The nutrients provided by the sun's rays help the algae to thrive.

    • 2

      Feed the fish only once a day. Overfeeding is not only bad for the fish, it will also introduce extra nutrients into the water that will promote algae growth.

    • 3

      Provide your tank with artificial light no more than 10 to 12 hours per day. Use a full-spectrum light that is designed for aquarium use only and avoid desk lamps or decorative lighting.

    • 4

      Introduce more plants into the aquarium. According to Foster and Smith Aquatics' website, the plants will give the algae competition for nutrients and light.

    • 5

      Perform a 25 percent water change every week. Introducing fresh, deionized water to the tank often will reduce the amounts of phosphate, silicates and nitrates in the water, all of which the algae require to thrive.

    • 6

      Introduce fish into the tank that consume algae. The Siamese algae eater, glass shrimp and suckermouth catfish will also help control the spread of algae in your tank.