Who Gives A Fish Forums

My tank's been overrun with algae lately, and I'm trying to avoid chemicals. Got any tips for keeping it under control naturally? I've got a 20-gallon with moderate lighting, sand substrate, and a mix of Anubias and Java Fern. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate.

Reducing light exposure is key. Try cutting back to 6 hours a day and see if that helps. Also, floating plants like Frogbit can shade the tank and outcompete algae for nutrients. What's your current light schedule?

I've had success with Amano shrimp and Nerite snails. They're algae-eating machines and won't mess with your plants. Just make sure your tank's well-established before adding them. How often are you doing water changes?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm doing weekly 25% water changes. The light's on for about 8 hours right now, so I'll try reducing it. Never thought about floating plants, gonna look into Frogbit.

Algae thrives on excess nutrients. Overfeeding can be a big contributor. Are you feeding your fish more than they can eat in a couple minutes? Also, consider adding more fast-growing plants like Hornwort to soak up extra nutrients.

Keldor wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:27 pm Algae thrives on excess nutrients. Overfeeding can be a big contributor. Are you feeding your fish more than they can eat in a couple minutes? Also, consider adding more fast-growing plants like Hornwort to soak up extra nutrients.

That's solid advice. I'd also recommend checking your phosphate levels. High phosphates can fuel algae growth even if nitrates are low.

Another trick is to manually remove as much algae as you can during water changes. Use a toothbrush for stubborn spots on hardscape. It's tedious but effective. How's the flow in your tank? Poor circulation can create dead zones where algae thrives.

greenthumb wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 10:45 pm Another trick is to manually remove as much algae as you can during water changes. Use a toothbrush for stubborn spots on hardscape. It's tedious but effective. How's the flow in your tank? Poor circulation can create dead zones where algae thrives.

Yep, flow's crucial. I run a small powerhead in my 20-gallon to keep things moving. Also, blackout treatments can help if the algae's really bad. Just cover the tank for 3 days, no light at all.

I'll try the toothbrush trick and look into flow. Got a HOB filter but maybe it's not enough. Appreciate all the help, gonna start with less light and less food.