Instructions
Salt Water Aquarium Algae Removal
Change the water regularly. Changing one-third to one-half of the aquarium water every two weeks will help remove any algae floating in the water. Remember to stir up the gravel when you remove the water to clean up any excess food or fish waste that might support algae growth.
Introduce algae eaters. Fish that eat algae include tangs, angelfish and rabbitfish. Other algae-eating marine life include sea urchins, hermit crabs and snails.
Use an algae scraper. Commercially available algae scrappers use magnets to clean algae off the glass sides of the aquarium. You hold one half of the magnet in your hand on the outside of the tank. The other half goes inside the tank and is covered in felt or other soft cloth so that as you move the magnet up and down, it scrapes algae off the side of the tank.
Limit light. Algae are photosynthetic creatures, so the more light your aquarium gets, the more algae you'll have. Put your lights on a timer and limit lighting to six to eight hours a day. Change your bulbs regularly; as they age, fluorescent lights can change spectrum and encourage algae growth.
Limit phosphates and nitrates. Phosphates and nitrates feed algae, so it stands to reason if you limit their food, you'll have less algae. Don't overfeed your fish; fish waste and leftover food are high in nitrates. Phosphates are primarily found in tap water, so using purified water can help reduce them. Also, check your salt mixture; some of them included phosphates, so you may want to try a new one.
Salt Water Aquarium Algae Removal
Algae are not necessarily bad guys. In the wild, they serve as the base of many food chains, supporting wide populations. In an aquarium setting, they provide food for many species of invertebrates and fish, and they provide oxygen. They become problematic when they overrun your aquarium and threaten the aesthetic balance or threaten the health of other aquarium inhabitants. Fortunately they can be controlled with diligent cleaning, proper lighting and even help from some fishy friends.