How to Remove Algae from a Fish Tank

Algae is a green plant that grows on the surfaces of items and the glass your fish tank. In the right amounts, algae can provide a good food source for your fish; however, if there is too much of it, it can cause water pollution and become unpleasant and annoying to look at. There are a few easy solutions to get rid of algae, depending on your needs and preferences. All are fairly simple and effective.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Bottom Feeders

  1. [1] Bottom feeders are fish that live on the floor of a tank and like to scavenge for food such as algae. They are a fantastic and natural way to clean algae off of your tank walls without adding chemicals to the water.  Of course, you do need to take care of them. Luckily, they are very low maintenance pets and are great for people who just don't have the time themselves. Some benefits of bottom feeders are:
    • They are good at their job and are quite important and useful to an aquarium for maintaining a clean environment by constantly eating the scraps.
    • Most bottom feeders e.g. plecos, cory catfish, and shrimp are gentle and non-aggressive towards other fish, creating the perfect tank mate.
    • Some species such as plecos and cory catfish are quite beautiful and add a little something to your tank.
    • Most bottom feeders do not mate too often so you will not have to worry about overpopulation.
  2. Purchase the bottom feeder of your choice.
    • Get the right number and ratio. Bottom feeders like male plecos can become aggressive towards each other when fighting over females which can lead to the injury and death of your fish. 
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  3. Turn your aquarium lights off to reduce stress, and float the bag in the water. Once the temperature of the bag water and the tank water feel the same, release the fish into your aquarium, making sure you try not to pour any bag water in there.
    • Consider putting the fish in quarantine before adding it to your main tank, as it could be carrying disease or parasites.
  4. Although bottom feeders are very useful, once they have cleaned your algae off, you will need to feed them at least once a day along with the scraps they eat. You can use algae wafers to feed them.
    • Try feeding them when their lights go out, as they are more active during night time.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Maintaining Your Tank

  1. The reason your tank is growing algae is that it is either in too much sunlight or it is polluted. If your tank is in an area where the sun is always hitting it, then move it into a more shaded area. Fish like to have areas of shade so they can relax from the sun. [2]
  2. If your tank is polluted, then perform a water change and siphon the gravel using these simple steps.
    • Take out 30 - 50% of the water in your fish tank using a siphon.
    • Fill a bucket with water (making sure that the water temperate is the same as the water temperature inside your tank ).
    • Stir in the required amount of water ager into the water (it should say it on the back of the bottle or under the label).
    • Gently pour it in or use a siphon instead. Try to be gentle so your fish won't stress out.
    • Repeat this until your tank is full (but not completely to the top).
    • After this, use your siphon to suck out any poo or excess food from the gravel.
  3. To prevent algae from growing on the glass, buy a magnetic aquarium cleaner. This way you can clean the glass without getting your hands wet and disturbing your fish.
  4. [3] Make sure the filters are cleaned as well, as they may be the cause of algae growth.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using a Solution

  1. An algae solution is an unnatural liquid, powder or tablet that is put into fish tanks to clear away algae. Solutions are not as gentle to your fish as hand cleaning your tank or adding bottom betters, but they do work very well and are fast.
    • Avoid using a solution if you own a fish that is sensitive to chemicals such as an axolotl.
  2. (The instructions should be on the back of the bottle or under the label.) Use the exact amount of solution. If you don't put enough, it will have little to no effect, and if you put too much, it may kill your fish.
  3. It may only take a couple of days!
  4. The water change will get rid of any extra chemicals in the water.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    In a fish pond, what can one use to clear off weeds growing on the surface of body of water?
    Lizzy Busch
    Community Answer
    Most of the weeds that people find issues with in ponds are duckweed. If it is duckweed that is infesting your pond, then it can be helped by adding a goldfish or two to the pond, as they will eat duckweed. You may also want to consider putting it in cups or bags and selling it, as some people in the aquarium hobby love the look of duckweed in their tanks.
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      Tips

      • Remove nitrates with a nitrate remover and keep the tank light to a minimum. [4]
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      • Try to keep the amount of food you feed your fish to a minimal, to stop the growth of algae.
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      Warnings

      • Some types of bottom feeders are aggressive. Research the types of tank mates your type of bottom feeder likes and if it is aggressive.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.buildyouraquarium.com/bottom-feeder-fish/
      2. ↑ https://animals.mom.com/aquarium-water-turn-green-there-algae-tank-4941.html
      3. ↑ https://aquariumadviser.com/how-to-install-a-fish-tank-filter/
      4. ↑ https://animals.mom.me/remove-high-nitrates-aquarium-water-5115.html
      5. https://www.fishtankworld.com/how-to-get-rid-of-algae/
      6. https://www.ratemyfishtank.com/blog/cleaning-algae-off-tank-glass-properly

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      Algae is a green plant that can grow on the glass and surface of items in your fish tank. While algae can be a good food source, if there’s too much of it, it can cause water pollution. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to get rid of algae. If your tank is growing too much algae, it may have too much sunlight, so move it to a more shaded area. For a tank pollution issue, take out 30 to 50 percent of the water, fill a bucket with water and agar, then gently pour it into the tank. Change your water weekly to prevent algae from growing. You can also use a filter to keep the algae from growing again. To learn how to use bottom feeders to rid your tank of algae, keep reading!

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