How to Kill Carpet Algae

When keeping fish in an aquarium it is important to maintain healthy, toxin-free water. Although a small amount of algae in your aquarium can be beneficial, carpet algae infestations are most commonly the result of raised nitrate and phosphate levels in your water, which can be extremely harmful to your fish. Carpet algae is identifiable by a thick green or red slimy covering on your aquarium bed. You can remove carpet algae from your aquarium with a combination of cleaning and partial water change.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium gravel cleaning vacuum
  • Plastic bucket
  • Net
  • Aquarium thermometer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn off and unplug all electrical devices used in your aquarium.

    • 2

      Place your gravel cleaning vacuum at the bottom of your tank. The plastic tubing should hang over the edge of the tank and lead into a large bucket. Make sure the bucket used is kept solely for use with your aquarium to avoid contamination.

    • 3

      Begin the siphoning process by sucking water through the gravel cleaning vacuum into a bucket. Be careful not to swallow any of the aquarium water.

    • 4

      Move the vacuum around the bottom of your aquarium until the algae has been removed. The vacuum will remove water from your tank as well as the algae. Do not remove more than half the water in your tank.

    • 5

      Skim off, using a net, any remaining algae from your aquarium. Deposit into a bucket.

    • 6

      Rinse the bucket and fill it with clean water for refilling your aquarium. Use an aquarium thermometer to ensure the water you add is of the same temperature as that in your aquarium.

    • 7

      Refill your tank and allow water to settle and clear. Phosphate and nitrate levels should return to normal within 48 hours.