I’ll try and not get too technical here.
Algae (pronounced AL-jee) are simple forms of marine plant life.
They’re pretty basic: they lack leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, and all the other things we normally associate with plants.
The term ‘algae’ is an umbrella phrase that’s used to refer to all forms of marine life that are capable of photosynthesis (converting sunlight into energy), although some forms of algae rely entirely on external supplies of energy (in the form of protein and fish waste in the water) for food.
As far as your tropical fish tank goes, algie removal is definitely an unwanted visitor – it’s a real eyesore.
Of course, certain levels of algae are to be expected; small amounts are inevitable wherever there’s light, nutrients, and water in combination.
However, when levels get high enough to be visible to the naked eye, you’ve got a surplus. Unless you maintain your aquarium regularly, you can pretty much count on regular growths of algae obscuring your fish, making the water smell, and generally detracting from the aesthetic appeal of your tank.
What is is – and how will you get rid of it?
Well, it depends on the type of algae that you have, since each one needs to be treated in a specific manner. The most usual tyoes of algae to affect tropical fish tanks are:
* brown algae
* green algae
* blue-green algae
* green water
What you can do about brown algae
In a newly established tank brown algae is usually the first to appear. It’s pretty easy to see: it looks like cloudy brown slime growing along the sides and bottom of your aquarium, as well as clinging onto gravel, rocks, and ornaments.
Limiting the light available won’t make any difference to this type of algae, since it’s perfectly capable of growing at low-lighting levels.
Instead, you need to cut right back on the nutrients available for sustaining its growth – which means feeding your fish less. High protein levels in the tank, derived from fish food, will fuel this algae’s growth.
Even if your fish are eating all the food you give them, this doesn’t mean you’re feeding them the right amount: when it comes to food, fish are natural opportunists, which means they’ll eat everything that’s there regardless of how much you feed them. If they’re overeating, they simply excrete the undigested food – which then floats around in the tank, feeding the algae instead!
Make sure you follow the directions stringently on the fish-food package, to be certain that you’re minimizing nutrient levels appropriately.
In addition to keeping food levels down, make sure you’re maintaining your tank adequately with enough water changes and gravel and filter cleanings.
If brown algae appears in an established aquarium, you’ll need to check your phosphate and nitrate levels, as too much of either one will encourage the growth of the algae.
If the problem remains ongoing, you can use algae-eaters. These are bottom-dwelling fish – such as the Siamese algae eater and the American-flag fish – which feed on algae, and are commonly kept in pet stores and fish traders. They’ll make quick work of your brown algae problem!
What to do about green algae
Green algae will appear in just about any tank with plenty of light. Luckily, it’s easy to get rid of (it doesn’t cling to the glass too much) and most algae-eaters will consume it with ease.
For green algae, make sure you’re minimizing the protein in the tank, as you would for brown algae. Start by cutting the fish-food back by one quarter, and pay close attention to the appearance of your fish: if their bodies become flat and thin, they’re not eating enough. They should be getting just enough food to remain slightly round-bodied.
Keep your fish tank stocked with plenty of algae-eaters, and the problem should take care of itself (although it bears repeating that a certain amount of algae, particularly green algae, is to be expected).
We will look at the problems of blue-green algae and green water in another article.
Do not leave these things untreated because the results could be disastrous.
Yes, maintaining a healthy, attractive aquarium can be a pretty complex task – there’s so much to keep track of!