Chemicals to Get Rid of Algae

Algae show up in your fish tank and are unavoidable, so you have to learn how to get rid of the algae. You can get some fish in your tank that eat algae but it's often not enough. An algaecide is a chemical that kills the algae you find commonly in your fish tank. Different algaecides can kill blue, green, red and brown algae depending on the chemical.

  1. Polyethylene Dichloride

    • Purchase an algaecide that that includes polyethylene dichloride as the active ingredient. Change the water after an algaecide treatment so the dead algae aren't rotting on the bottom of your fish tank.

    Copper Sulphate

    • Copper sulphate kills algae, bacteria and fungi. Make a solution of 21 g copper sulphate, 21 g citric acid crystals and 1 pint of distilled water and shake vigorously. Add one drop of this solution for each gallon of aquarium water.

    Benzalkonium Chloride

    • Benzalkonium chloride also is used as an algaecide, fungicide and bactericide. Applied to a surface, it can inhibit algae for weeks. You can also find it in face washes and hand scrubs for its disinfectant properties.