It should be noted that anything you do to change the conditions in the aquarium usually has more than one effect. Something that helps at first can, in retrospect, be reversed and cause something else. Eliminating one type of algae can encourage the growth of another. It is a cycle and the ultimate home remedy for all algae does not exist.
Algae always indicate a nutrient imbalance. They live on the nutrients that are not consumed by other "roommates". This not only has disadvantages, but also means that the fish are not receiving too high a dose of macronutrients. Ideal conditions must be created so that the excess of nutrients is broken down. The best home remedy is to lay out, set up, set up and maintain the aquarium in such a way that everything fits together harmoniously. Just one factor that doesn't fit will unbalance everything. If several people come together, the situation worsens. The algae, which are always present, use this. They start to multiply en masse.
The best remedies against algae
So the best means are to create ideal conditions in the aquarium. Chemistry is out of the question, but there are plenty of ways to do it. Chemical agents usually only bring about a short-term improvement. As long as the cause of the algae growth is not eliminated, the algae keep coming back.
Correct size of the aquarium
Correct size of the aquarium in small tanks, algae are much more common. Therefore, a larger one should be used. When it comes to size, of course, it depends on the trim. Small fish take up less space than large ones. Beginners should start with 100 liters and fish that are easy to keep. Anyone who discovers this hobby for themselves will quickly need a larger pool and this usually increases over the years.
Right location
The aquarium should be set up in a light but not sunny place. Too much sun promotes algae growth,
at least in many species. Diatoms, on the other hand, grow better in less light.Good water quality
Test drinking water, specifically which nutrients it contains. There are test sets in stores for this.
Suitable light
The light determines the nutrient consumption of the plants. The more light there is in the pool, the more nutrients are created. If there is too much light, the plants will not be able to use it up. If there is too little light, the plants grow poorly and certainly not make it. Algae benefit from the oversupply. The light has to be reduced, whether it is daylight or artificial light. More than 12 hours of light are unfavorable, usually 10 hours is enough.
filter
Since an aquarium is too small, it has no self-cleaning power. Pollutants are not broken down and the consumption of nutrients is regulated. The biological equilibrium cannot be established on its own. Filter systems can help. A single filter is rarely sufficient. Two filter systems, a biological filter and a mechanical filter, are better. The biological filtering works with millions of microorganisms. With the mechanical filters, water is freed from coarse and fine dirt particles, i.e. from excrement and feed residues. In addition, there are tons of other filters. It is best to seek advice on filtering from a specialist.
Flooring
Depending on what the aquarium floor is covered with, algae may or may not like it. Blue-green algae prefer to colonize white or light-colored pebbles. If you swap them for dark ones, the blue-green algae usually also disappear.
Vegetation
An aquarium cannot accommodate enough plants. The more you have in it, the better it is. Plants use up nutrients, the more, the less there is for the algae. Algae and plants are food competitors. The fewer plants consume the nutrients, the more algae there are.
Fast-growing plants are cheap, even if they have to be cut back every now and then because they have become too big. The number of plant species is also important. The more different, the better. Each plant prefers different nutrients and so they cover a wider range that is consumed. Monoculture is always difficult.Fish stock
Adjust the number and size of fish and other living things to the size of the tank. Too many fish produce too much droppings, too many nutrients. Basically, the bigger the aquarium, the easier it is to maintain the biological balance, but a 1,000 liter tank can also be overfilled. A certain number of algae eaters is beneficial. These include freshwater crabs, catfish, Amano shrimp (only eat brush algae)
Sufficient CO2
Plants need sufficient CO2 as a basis for nutrition and growth. Photosynthesis in plants produces oxygen. The living things in the aquarium need this. If there are many plants in the tank, CO2 is consumed quickly, which is why an additional CO2 system makes sense. However, the concentration must not be too high either. Too high a CO2 concentration can be reduced by ventilating the aquarium using an air stone with an air pump.
Amount of feed
Often too much is fed. The leftover food falls to the ground, remains there and decomposes. Nutrients are released. What the fish did not eat in the first 10 minutes after feeding is too much. That is why it often helps to reduce the amount of feed when algae are infested.
fertilization
Why fertilize when there are already too many nutrients? The existing macronutrients are often insufficient for the plants. You also need micronutrients. They have to be added, but with care. There is a special concentration of nutrients in an aquarium. Some nutrients are in excess and some are used up quickly. completely absent. Good fertilizer has to compensate for the gaps in a targeted manner. To do this, however, you have to know your water values.
cleaning
Algae can be removed quite well manually. In the case of thread algae, it is sufficient to rummage through the water with an unpainted stick, the algae get caught and wrap themselves around when changing direction. Many algae can be easily wiped off the plants, panes and objects. The floor can be vacuumed, the algae contained are rinsed out with it.
Water change
When the water is changed, the scholars argue. Some swear by taking water weekly in case of problems (25 to 50 percent), others strongly advise against it. The only way to do this is to try it out. It certainly depends on the composition of the water. Not all drinking water is the same as drinking water; there are stark differences. Depending on the ingredients, changing the water may or may not help, and even
make the situation worse.Alleged home remedies
Of course, there are always tips declared as home remedies on how to combat algae. Often, however, they are only intended to boost sales and do not really bring anything. However, everyone has to make up their own mind. Trying is more important than studying and the need sometimes makes you inventive.
Pieces of granite, slate and basalt in the water, so to speak as decoration, are supposed to prevent algae growth. Aquarium owners with experience laugh about it. The stones make the water harder. Some algae do not tolerate this well, but neither does fish and plants.
Copper-plated flower water is supposed to prevent the formation of algae. Small euro coins in the water protect flower stems from putrefactive bacteria and algae. However, even the smallest amounts of copper are poisonous for fish. What works in the flower vase cannot be transferred to an aquarium, at least not to a populated one.
Aspirin tablets - 1 tablet per 100 liters of water, is supposed to fight brush algae, allegedly other algae as well. There are some reports that aspirin is believed to have helped. Just as many report exactly the opposite. The only thing that helps here is trying again, but always keep in mind: “Ask about the risk and side effects Your… ”Aspirin is a typical example of:“ Every thing has its two sides ”. Filter bacteria are also used eliminated.
Straw extract - “… well-dried barley or wheat straw (4 to 5 handfuls per 100 liters of water) in a very holey Pack a plastic bag, tie it and hang it in the aquarium Days. Sucking off the algae and changing the water are important. The straw must be renewed every 10 days. This method works pretty well in ponds. It can work in the aquarium. There is one disadvantage, the bag is not exactly a visual highlight and the larger the basin, the larger the bag.
Conclusion
Those who create optimal conditions will have few problems with algae. They cannot be completely avoided, and that is not even necessary. Algae can even be introduced into the ultimate aquarium. It is important that they do not multiply too much. The best way to achieve this is through the measures listed above. Real home remedies are rare. While there is a lot of experimentation and numerous remedies appear to help, they all have side effects. One way or another, these remedies take revenge. It is better to ensure that the water is OK, that the plants and fish are healthy, that it is regularly cleaned and that the water is replaced that there are not too many fish in the tank, but numerous plants that there is not too much feeding and that the filters function. All of this in combination ensures a well-functioning aquarium.