Things You'll Need
- Aquarium light
- Filter system
- Algae scrubber
- Live aquarium plants
Instructions
Move your aquarium to an area that does not receive direct or indirect natural light. Make sure your aquarium light is only on for ten to twelve hours at a time. Algae grows faster when it has access to a lot of light.
Filter out nitrates and phosphates (fish waste products) which are nutrients for algae. A good filtration system is imperative in controlling algae growth.
Vacuum the gravel during a water change to eliminate more nutrients. A 10% weekly water change is sufficient in controlling algae. Use distilled or deionized water in your tank as tap water contains more phosphates.
Use water motion to control algae growth. If the little algae spores are swirling around in your aquarium, they cannot take "root" and grow.
Scrub the sides of your aquarium only when necessary as this method can stress out your fish. Use a gentle scrubber with no pointy ends that can scratch your fish.
Plant live aquarium plants in your tank. These plants will extract nutrients from the water and starve the algae of its food.
Feed your fish only once a day and only enough food that they can consume in two minutes. Extra fish food becomes nutrients for algae.