Algae bloom is also known as greenwater, and if you’ve experienced it, you’ll understand why. Bloom appears quickly, and it will turn water green overnight. Bloom is unique among algae because it floats in the water rather than attaching to surfaces, so it’s trickier to control. If you want to know all about algae bloom and how to both address and prevent it, read the crucial information below.
Many Aquarium Factors Can Cause Algae Bloom
The primary cause of algae bloom in fish tanks is excessive light and nutrients. Like all algae, it thrives with an abundant food and light source. Algae is a normal part of an aquarium environment, and small amounts are beneficial. It only becomes problematic when it gets out of control. Following a regular cleaning routine will typically keep it at bay, but if it keeps returning, this indicates an environmental problem.
The first things you should look at if you have persistent algae bloom are:
- Light – Bloom will thrive with excessive artificial or direct sunlight.
- Water quality – Organic matter such as fish waste and leftover food provide nutrients for bloom.
Bloom is different from other algae because it’s suspended algae. It doesn’t grow on surfaces such as plants and glass – it grows on particles in the water, so you can’t just wipe it off. It turns water into a green slush, hence the name “greenwater algae”.
How to Get Rid of Algae Bloom
Unlike most algae, which you can control with the usual essential aquarium cleaning tasks, algae bloom requires a different approach. Changing the water will help a little, but as the plant is waterborne, it will stay in the remaining tank water. You can try one of the following options to rid your tank of bloom:
1. Use a diatomic filter – Diatomic filters use Damascus Earth to filter the water and kill off algae bloom.
2. Block the light – Wrap the aquarium in dark fabric or plastic for a few days to deprive bloom of light. The algae usually die without light, but this method isn’t always successful and can negatively impact live aquarium plants. Try other methods if the bloom hasn’t improved after a few days.
3. Install a UV sterilizer – UV light is safe for tank creatures and will kill the bloom in just a few days.
4. Try chemical products – Only use chemical treatments as a last resort. Chemicals kill the bloom temporarily but will return if you don’t address the issue’s root cause.
Is Algae Bloom Harmful?
Algae bloom isn’t harmful to a fish tank in small amounts but can become an issue if left unchecked. Large amounts of algae in a tank look unsightly and can potentially cause health problems. It may also increase the pH levels, causing burns, and consume all the oxygen in the tank, which can suffocate plants and aquatic creatures.
Algae is also a sign of a healthy ecosystem – it acts as a natural filter and provides food for some creatures. It’s normal for algae to appear in new tanks while the ecosystem establishes itself, and it’s a sign that everything is going in the right direction. You will probably still get brown algae even when you successfully set up a fish tank. Regardless of the tank size, its inhabitants and water type, each aquarium is vulnerable to algae.
How to Prevent Algae Bloom
It’s impossible to prevent algae blooms from forming in a tank, but you can take steps to control it. Take a look at the tips below to discover the best way to keep bloom at bay:
1. Use the correct tank size – Overcrowding is a massive culprit for algae growth. Do your research to find out how many fish you can put in your tank.
2. Check the water quality – Test the aquarium water because large amounts of phosphate ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate promote algae bloom.
3. Perform regular cleaning and maintenance – How often you clean a fish tank depends on many parameters, such as its size.
4. Don’t overfeed – Decaying fish food is a food source for algae.
5. Limit lighting – Don’t expose the aquarium to light for more than 10 hours per day, and don’t keep it in direct sunlight.
6. Add live plants – Live plants are competition for algae and are one of the best ways to fix a cloudy fish tank.
7. Add algae eaters – Algae-eating creatures like pleco and snails will help keep algae under control.
The Best Algae Eaters for Fish Tanks
Introducing algae eaters, known as tank cleaners, to a fish tank is a fantastic way to keep bloom in check. Algae eaters are scavengers – they help keep food waste down and regularly clean algae from surfaces. Alongside adding live plants to an aquarium, tank cleaners are the best natural solution to prevent excessive algae.
Before introducing tank cleaners to an aquarium, check their care needs and compatibility with other tank mates. Do your research to find the right algae eaters for your set-up. To help in your search, here is a brief list of some of the best and most popular tank cleaners:
1. The cory catfish – They are some of the best freshwater tank cleaners.
2. The bristlenose pleco – They have unique and entertaining cleaning habits.
3. Nerite snails – Many aquatic snails thrive on algae, but you must be careful that the snails don’t populate your tank. Other popular cleaning species include the rabbit, assassin, and mystery snail.
4. Cherry shrimp – Shrimp can access all the hard-to-reach places in an aquarium with their tiny limbs. Amano shrimp are also hardworking cleaners.
