how do you prevent algae
- Thread starter dereks
- Start date
This question could have tomes written on it. There are tens of thousands of different types of algae, each one liking slightly different conditions. Keep this in mind.
To reduce algae you really mean; "how do I make things uncomfortable for the algae that is bugging me now?"
You just change conditions slightly in hopes that the algae bugging you stops thriving.
In general you want minimum nitrate in your water as it is pure plant food. It is a direct result of feeding. Feed as little as you can. Remove nitrate factories.
You want minimum phosphate. If you aren't using RO water you should be.
Light. Light provides the energy needed for algae to thrive. You want as little light as possible to hit your glass at direct angles as this just encourages growth on the glass.
Flow: Many algae do not like to be in flow. You can increase the flow using power heads or other methods.
To reduce algae you really mean; "how do I make things uncomfortable for the algae that is bugging me now?"
You just change conditions slightly in hopes that the algae bugging you stops thriving.
In general you want minimum nitrate in your water as it is pure plant food. It is a direct result of feeding. Feed as little as you can. Remove nitrate factories.
You want minimum phosphate. If you aren't using RO water you should be.
Light. Light provides the energy needed for algae to thrive. You want as little light as possible to hit your glass at direct angles as this just encourages growth on the glass.
Flow: Many algae do not like to be in flow. You can increase the flow using power heads or other methods.
With a new tank you are going to get algae in the beginning, its just a fact. First will come diatoms, like a brown dust on everything, then you may or maynot get some cyano, a red slime like substance, and finally there is usually some types of green algae, usually just a green dust that grows slowly on the glass. Each of these types of algae will have a 'phase' of several days to a week during the first month to 2 months after the tank is started. This is 'algae cycle' is totally normal and on the most part unavoidable. All tanks are different and some don't get much algae at all, but don't panic if you do get some.
None of the algae cycles should stick around for very long, if they do and get worse then there is a problem.
To prevent algae (and lessen the amount you get during the cycle) keep nitrate and phosphates to a minimum, maintain a reasonable flow throughout the tank, keep feedings to a minimum (if possible), provide good filtration and/or frequent water changes and keep water params as stable as possible. With lighting you can start off with 8 hours, if you want to keep corals you can leave it at 8 or gradually increase the time to 9 - 11 hours and see what effect it has on the algal growth.
With algae it can be a case of trial and error in the end.
None of the algae cycles should stick around for very long, if they do and get worse then there is a problem.
To prevent algae (and lessen the amount you get during the cycle) keep nitrate and phosphates to a minimum, maintain a reasonable flow throughout the tank, keep feedings to a minimum (if possible), provide good filtration and/or frequent water changes and keep water params as stable as possible. With lighting you can start off with 8 hours, if you want to keep corals you can leave it at 8 or gradually increase the time to 9 - 11 hours and see what effect it has on the algal growth.
With algae it can be a case of trial and error in the end.