| Algae are organisms that use photosynthesis to | | | | a few factors in order to return your tank's |
| produce food and energy. They live in almost every | | | | ecosystem to balance and get rid of your algae |
| body of water in the world, from the equator to the | | | | problem. |
| Earth's poles, including freshwater and saltwater | | | | Saltwater Aquarium Algae Control - Avoid Direct |
| bodies. They can range from the tiny, single-celled | | | | Sunlight |
| microorganism up to large seaweeds that can grow | | | | First, you need to keep your tank as far away from |
| up to 200 to 250 feet in length. | | | | direct natural sunlight as possible. Lights should be kept |
| Algal spores generally enter an aquarium through the | | | | on for 10-14 hours per day for aquariums with live |
| air, but algal spores can also be carried into one tank | | | | plants, and 6-10 if you have only ornamental plants. |
| from another on furnishings, in filters, and on various | | | | Lighting should be made specifically for aquariums, as |
| types of accessories and decorations. They may also | | | | other spectrums will invite an algae bloom. Bulbs should |
| be introduced on live rock or coral. | | | | be changed every few months, because they can |
| In the wild, algae produce oxygen for aquatic life. Like | | | | lose their spectrum as they age. |
| plants on land, they produce energy through | | | | Algae loves phosphate, so aquariums that contain |
| photosynthesis, and then they release oxygen for the | | | | large amounts of it will usually experience algae |
| other creatures that live around them. | | | | blooms. You can remove excess phosphate from the |
| Saltwater Aquarium Algae Benefits | | | | tank with special phosphate-controlling media in your |
| Algae can actually be beneficial to a tank, providing | | | | filtration system. |
| oxygen as well as nitrates, phosphates, and other | | | | If you over-feed your fish, corals, and other living |
| nutrients. But they can make your tank look cloudy and | | | | creatures in your tank, this food can build up and |
| unhealthy. They are a natural part of any underwater | | | | release additional nutrients into the water that algae |
| ecosystem, but they don't exactly look very healthy | | | | can feed off of, so it is better to feed your fish once |
| when they are clinging to the inside of your formerly | | | | per day and ensure that you don't put too much food |
| clear aquarium! | | | | into the tank. |
| Eventually algae can grow out of control. When this | | | | Saltwater Aquarium Algae Control Tip |
| happens, they will begin consuming oxygen at night, | | | | It's also a very good idea to place some live plants into |
| they will cover everything inside the tank, and they | | | | your tank. Live plants compete with algae for things |
| may even clog your filtration system. This is called an | | | | like light and nutrients, and healthy live plants will almost |
| algae bloom. | | | | always win when they compete with algae. This can |
| An algae bloom is usually a sign that something in your | | | | help keep algae under control while also providing a |
| aquarium is out of balance. You will need to check on | | | | natural beauty to your saltwater tank. |