Algae gone wild

[mcarroll]

It may be worth saying, as a contrast to the thread title, that having "some" green algae growth - maybe even the occasional outbreak - isn't really such a bad thing if your tank is reasonably well balanced (not perfect) and reasonably well taken care of (again, not perfect). I consider some green algae healthy, in fact. IME, the environment that fosters a complete absence of green algae seems to become a more-likely home for cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates or other nasties...all of which are far, far (far, far, far) less desirable and often much harder to get rid of.

Within this in mind, chronic green algae blooms (maybe even permanent ones) are the only "real" algae problems IMO, and are traced back to overstocking (vs simple overfeeding or slack husbandry, etc) 80% or more of the time.

FYI, I think bubble algae is my favorite* of the more common green algae....I've even seen colonies of red bubble algae. When they are in a reasonably well balanced system, their colonies are actually kinda pretty, I think. (My 1994 Baensch Marine Atlas even agrees on this algae....LOL. Crazy Germans!) There are several cool green algae, some micro some macro...just keep your bio-load where it "ought" to be and almost none of them are a threat, most are downright beneficial as filtration as well as food. (Except Caulerpa! Say "no" to Caulerpa!! Heheh.)

Just some thoughts.

-Matt

* Nothing against all you hair algae fans out there!

 

[YVR]

Algae problems are usually caused by aquarium water with excess nutrients like phosphate, nitrates etc. You can try and siphon out what you can to remove the algae in the short term. In the long term you may have to examine how you care for your tank. There are some commercial dry foods also contain excess nutrients and other undesirable things like nitrates, phosphates etc so I strain/rinse my fresh/frozen foods before feeding my tank. You may want to consider feeding your fish less often. Also, changing your photo period, light bulbs, adding more flow, using RO/DI water. Adding a phosphate remover like TM Elimi-Phos and increasing flow in your tank may help too.

 

[jedimasterben]

Algae problems are usually caused by aquarium water with excess nutrients like phosphate, nitrates etc. You can try and siphon out what you can to remove the algae in the short term. In the long term you may have to examine how you care for your tank. There are some commercial dry foods also contain excess nutrients and other undesirable things like nitrates, phosphates etc so I strain/rinse my fresh/frozen foods before feeding my tank. You may want to consider feeding your fish less often. Also, changing your photo period, light bulbs, adding more flow, using RO/DI water. Adding a phosphate remover like TM Elimi-Phos and increasing flow in your tank may help too.

Yes, surprised by how little it helps. Aquarium Chemistry: Phosphate And Math: Yes You Need To Understand Both ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Posted that earlier.