While algae is found in almost every outdoor ecosystem due to its adaptability and resilience, its unique abilities are what allow them to be one of the trickiest pains to regulate and prevent in our fish tanks and aquariums. For those of us who care about the health of our fish, common algaecides and harmful chemicals are never the answer, and we might not have time for all the problem-solving, scrubbing, and up-keep that algae problems often demand!
Luckily, our team at Green Water Labs has been hard at work taking time to understand these problems from the one who knows them best: Mother Nature.
Ever since, our team of scientists and nature-based advocates have been working closely alongside water ecosystems to understand why algae blooms happen in nature, and how ecosystems naturally prevent and regulate such an adaptable organism.
By working with nature instead of against it, we’ve found key relationships between compounds and nutrients taking place in water ecosystems with healthy, regulated algae levels. This has allowed us to identify and replicate specific, nature-based, preventative measures that can be taken to avoid algae outbreaks from ever even starting. This is how we've formulated our all natural Algae Control to specifically target algae & cyanobacteria. Read on for the latest nature-based tips and solutions for finding (and maintaining) healthy alignment in your aquarium ecosystem without sacrificing your all natural tank life.
What Causes Algae Overgrowth?
Algae is a plant-like organism that can grow in both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems. Algae overgrowth is often caused by excess nutrients, sunlight, and other imbalances which cause problem solving to be a tricky game.
The reason problem solving can get so difficult is because tank imbalances are caused by numerous factors. This includes things like leaving lights on too long, being located in too much direct sunlight, overfeeding fish, not changing out water, or creating an aquarium ecosystem with high nutrient levels.
Tips for Managing & Prevention
While finding the true cause of algae breakouts in your tank can be really tricky, here are some things to keep in mind for avoiding future blooms:
- Less lighting: don’t keep your tank in an area that will be hit by direct sunlight throughout the day. As algae feeds through photosynthesis, this is a perfect setting for them to thrive. If using artificial lighting, make sure it’s not stronger than needed and is only on for eight to ten hours each day. Timers are helpful to deactivate lights at certain times each day.
- Less feeding: Overfeeding fish can increase phosphate levels in your water, so it’s important to only give them the portions of food that they’ll actually eat at a given time. If all the food isn’t eaten within five minutes, then you might be feeding them too much.
- Water Changes: Regular water changes are helpful for preventing algae as it removes built up nitrates often used in fertilizers for plants!
- Plants: Algae thrives with excess nutrients and plants can help remove some of those nutrients from the water. They may take time to adjust, but they look beautiful and can help!
Regulating Algae Doesn’t Need To Be So Stressful
All in all, preventing algae is about balance, and this gets trickier with more factors added to your tank! As people who care about all natural ecosystems and know how difficult these issues can be, we're so excited to have found a way to support natural algae cleaning & regulation processes with plant-based compounds. No water movement, no scrubbing, no bleach or chlorine!
With just weekly doses of 1 oz for every 10 gallons of water, you’ll master the art of prevention and say bye to algae problems. Try it for yourself and let us know what you think!