How to Remove Algae From a Tank

The growth and appearance of algae in your fish tank may be an eyesore, leading you to remove it from your tank. While removing algae from the tank is not necessarily bad -- you can do it as often as once a week -- the algae provides a valuable service to your fish. It consumes nutrients that may otherwise hurt them, so completely removing and preventing algae may be harmful to their health. Instead, simply clean the tank by scrubbing it out and allow the algae to grow in moderation.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubber gloves
  • Algae scrubber
  • Water pail
  • Aquarium skimmer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plan to remove the algae before changing out the water in your fish tank.

      Once a week, remove and replace about 10 percent of your fish tank's water using a water pail.

    • 2

      Put on a pair of rubber gloves before scrubbing the tank.

    • 3

      Reach into the tank with an algae scrubber and scrub the algae off the walls of the fish tank.

      Use only an algae scrubber, which you can find at a pet supply store -- household scrubbers and sponges may contain chemicals that are harmful to your fish.

    • 4

      Scoop water out of the fish tank using your pail, catching free floating algae as you can.

    • 5

      Catch the rest of the floating algae with an aquarium skimmer and throw it away.

    • 6

      Replace the water you removed from the tank with new water.