How to Get Rid of Aquarium Algae​ | Causes, Different Types, & Algae Eaters

[@AquariumCoop]

*Watch the whole planted aquarium series here:* geni.us/PlantTutorials

[@direland88]

Aquarium Co-Op what about ghost shrimp for algae I heard they eat string algae?

[@aviconnor5956]

You probably dont care at all but does someone know of a method to log back into an instagram account? I somehow lost my account password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me

[@arimartin1944]

@Avi Connor instablaster =)

[@aviconnor5956]

@Ari Martin i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@theresagreen7165]

I don't know how many times I've watched this video but it is ALWAYS helpful. Thank you so much for this comprehensive guide!

[@TheASMRlogs]

Just so you know.. Your videos are part of my son's homeschool curriculum. He's building a freshwater ecosystem in his tank; with your (and a few others) help. Thank you for these videos!

[@AquariumCoop]

+Elizabeth Johnston awesome!

[@adriansimington6756]

I didn't think there was another homeschooled fish nerd :)

[@chantelbarcomb1766]

I was homeschooled! that is an awesome way to get hands on teaching in!

[@MA-zg2pz]

We’re homeschooling and doing the exact same!

[@sugarmuffin319]

That's amazing! What a fun, hands- on project! 😍

[@pnwgeek]

Timestamps for reference: 0:01 - Intro 0:48 - What is Algae 2:18 - Algae is like a weed in a lawn 3:43 - What Causes Algae 5:06 - Cleaning Crew - Snails 8:30 - Cleaning Crew - Suckermouth 10:15 - Cleaning Crew - Shrimp 11:25 - Cleaning Crew - Specialized Eaters 12:30 - Cleaning Crew - Your Fish 13:28 - Cleaning Crew - Tip: Create a gap 14:18 - Brown/ Green Diatom Algae 15:32 - Black Beard/Brush Algae (BBA) 18:20 - Hair Algae 21:27 - Green Spot Algae (GSA) 23:00 - Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) (BGA) 24:30 - Green Water Algae 26:06 - Overall Comments/Tips

[@AquariumCoop]

Upvoted! And thanks for doing that. I added it to the description as well.

[@pnwgeek]

No problem, I knew I would be coming back and referring folks to this in the future, so time stamps are helpful!

[@209Control]

Thank YOU

[@jeffbronson3696]

Ethan Gollehon THANK YOU

[@DocRen]

WOW! Thanks so much!

[@AntsCanada]

This was the best algae 101 video I've seen yet! Thank you! So helpful!

[@spaghetti1641]

Doing research for your avatar terrarium?

[@fruityautism]

Yo, whatchu doing?

[@thathobbitlife]

Mikey! On a FISH channel?! How cool lol I love cross channel love and support :-)

[@natanhalinowski3174]

Surprised to see you on this channel ;) I cant wait until you move tha antiverse into your new house:D

[@syazmin9656]

Wauu u are here too

[@grezeldafrightenstein1154]

Old video but thanks for the info. Thought i would point out willow branches will clear green water once they grow roots. Just a tree clipping with a few leaves will do it, works everytime

[@mjsjoiners7807]

At last.. I've found someone who not only talks sense, but is well worth a sub. 2 thumbs up

[@AquariumCoop]

Glad to have you on board. Thanks for the compliment.

[@sovrappensiero1]

Four years later, this is still the best algae resource on KZbin. I rewatch it from time to time as a refresher.

[@meikilove7058]

You are the captain america of the aquatic world. Really appreciate the honesty and VERY informative video!

[@jairalt]

Dean is Ironman!

[@chloechloe1783]

You have to give this guy a huge thumbs up for how he explains so thoroughly problems and how to solve them. Got to be said no one else online helps aquarists better :0)

[@jaystacular]

I adopted a nerite snail today and named him Gary, now keeping his new tankmate Timothy the Betta in much better spirits. Thank you so much for this very informational video! 🐌

[@bocskaicsaba4925]

My experience with algae: 1. Green Spot Algae - not enough phosphates. I had to dose very small amounts of phosphates for a few weeks than stop for months. It will not disappear in the first 2 weeks of treatment, so try not to overdose otherwise you wake up with 2. Hair Algae - too much phosphates (in the case of my type of hair algae). It can take more than a month to get rid of it, so do your water changes patiently. 3. Black Beard Algae - strong light, maybe too much oxygen production during daytime (fluctuation). In the winter the Sun is low and its light hits my aquariums. Near the end of the season I always see BBA. 4. Green Water - strong light that shines for too many hours a day AND/OR too many nutrients. 2 hours of sunshine a day doesn't produce green water in my aquariums. But the same water became green soon after I took it out on the balcony to use it in a Daphnia tank.

[@rugvedkulkarni1593]

What about brown algae?

[@crowndroyal]

Bocskai Csaba Redfield Ratio

[@MichaelClark-uw7ex]

Nerite snails eat the brown diatom and spot algae, Amano shrimp eat hair algae. That's my team. I've never had bba (that I know of) so I'm not sure if those guys will eat it.

[@jairalt]

Pleco will get rid of green spot algae.

[@bocskaicsaba4925]

@@jairalt pleco grows huge.

[@Backblast72]

Great information on algae Cory. Been in the hobby for 20+ years and your depth of knowledge is impressive. You are proof that you can never stop learning. Thank you for your sincere and common sense approach to this wonderful hobby of ours. God bless you always. Respectfully, Carlos A. González.

[@LeslieF0330]

I love this video! I believe I've seen/listened to it hundreds of times. Whenever i have a new issue with my planted tank(s) I find myself referring back to this video. Thank you Cory for taking the time to share this and educate us as well. I truly believe you may have found your calling! ☺️

[@Rosemont1021]

The time stamps are awesome, thanks!

[@LifebyBrianAquatics]

Your videos are the only long videos I watch. They have so much good info. Thanks for sharing all your experience, Cory! Liked the vid.

[@AquariumCoop]

I'm glad, by all accounts I'm doing youtube wrong :P Short videos is the gold standard.

[@LifebyBrianAquatics]

Normally I'd agree. But some things need to be detailed, like caring for fish. :)

[@AdamTillontheWeb]

+Aquarium Co-Op Hurrah for faith in humanity and fighting against the dumbing down of society.

[@mariusgolgojan8530]

Papa pig

[@jrox1980]

I agree! Usually long vids get boring and I tend to skip them except for these

[@RicardoJunqueira]

This playlist is GOLD!!!! Thank you Cory. You've changed my mind in so many topics over the last couple hours.

[@bryandelgadillo457]

I've been keeping fish for about 2 years but didn't take it serious the first year maybe because I was 16.. My aqua scaping & overall tank health have increased over the course of a year, thanks to all your videos. Thanks a bunch Cory keep up the great content

[@AquariumCoop]

Glad to of helped!

[@SteenfottAquatics]

When i got algae for the first time i did exactly what you said. I stopped dosing ferts, rookie mistake, good info

[@cd5927]

As far as siamese algae eaters go my experience is that keeping 2 of them in a tank (assuming it's big enough, they are very lively and grow somewhat large) will keep them busy enough that they wont bother any other fish. I have 2 now in my 80 gallon with 5 rainbows, glolight tetras, 5 cories, 1 guppy, and 5 pearl danios and the SAEs never bother any of the other fish and they're about 4 inches now. They do grow like weeds mine were about 1 inch when i bought them 3 months ago. Be wary of buying SAEs from an LFS, alot of stores either don't know the difference or will market something like the Flying Fox as an SAE to drive up the price. Easiest way to tell between a SAE and Flying Fox is too look at the black stripe. The black stripe on a flying fox doesnt extend into the tail, and has much more defined edges, whereas on an SAE the stripe runs through the tail fin and appears more jagged on the top edge. Flying Foxs also have a copper colored stripe above the black lateral stripe but it can be hard to see. As far as i've read SAEs are the only fish that will eat BBA but you gotta make them hungry.

[@AnnaInSweden]

Your comparison with the dandelions in the lawn made me see algae in a different way, thanks!!

[@AquariumCoop]

Awesome! I always hope to break things down in different terms for people.

[@fishyfishyfishy500akabs8]

I loved that, mine looks more like lawn grass or ripoff java moss 😅

[@MrBozack]

I had this exact lesson many years ago in my LFS. I agree with everything, and can't add anything helpful. Again you've proved that you really know your stuff. Yours sincerely, Siamese Algae Eater Owning me. 👍🏻

[@AquariumCoop]

Might be the best compliment yet :) thanks!

[@ronaquatanked2060]

Cory, thanks for making it understandable. I’ve been in the hobby for many years and still learning. I’ve also watched the soil substrate video and very likely saved me from spending a pile of $. Thanks!!!

[@FishBehindGlass]

One of the best and most comprehensive videos on this subject. All told in nice simple language. Great video.

[@AquariumCoop]

Mission accomplished then :)

[@Mattb843]

I love how you explain aquarium info in a real life comparison. Thanks Cory, great video!

[@AquariumCoop]

That's my goal. Hope it helps.

[@3DThingg]

Well done Video! covered lots of ground for algae and ways to reduce. keep up the good work

[@sufficientlyoldskool]

my pleco does munch on my amazon sword sometimes, but it doesn't seem to bother the plant. I think it's worth it because he's fun to watch and he helps keep my tank clean. He's like a little roomba.

[@dallasbroussard4668]

Cory love your videos. Very helpful. And I think take on things are realistic. Thank you !

[@hel6ova9]

AT LAST....!!!! Some good and proper info on good aquarium practises. Thank you SOOOO much. I live in New Zealand and we can't have most of your recommendations, due to our strict bio-security. However the cleaning and keeping info is invaluable. I am able to get some otocinclus catfish and some ramshorn snails so that should help out my nasty brown algae problem. Also will be adding 4 mls of bacteria/nitrate stuff to help stabilize the tank.

[@angel.heart007]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I just started a low tech planted tank and you seriously put everything into simple terms and made it all very simple to understand! Your videos have been my go to whenever I need help! Also, we did purchase some things from ya and I wanted to say thank you also for VERY fast shipping as well! 😊😊😊

[@hmeraat9]

I am new to this hobby and I am learning so much from you. Your teaching is unique and honest. Thank you!

[@MrOnlymoin1]

love these long form educational format videos. thanks ...and i love that shirt!

[@jamessmith84240]

23:30 - Ultralife blue green stain remover. I had a huge bloom of this bactaria and nothing would get rid of it until I bought a bottle of this stuff. It killed 100% of the bactaria and I did not lose any fish.

[@NickWeissMusic]

Perfect advice on the green water problem. UV is really the way to go, maybe the only realistic way to go, without risking the tank as you know it. the amount of time and labor it saves is well worth the price, there are plenty of cheapy sterilizers out there, I cured my problem for around $30 and a day or 2, followed by phosphate reducing pads in the filter. If I see even a slight tinge come up, in goes the phosphate pad, and I’ve never had a full bloom since. But thumbs up on the good advice, and don’t be afraid to sell stuff dude lol, people with the dreaded green tank need to know the real deal, get a uv unit and get on with your life ;)

[@NeonTetraAquarist]

Thanks Cory! Your awesome!

[@AquariumCoop]

Thanks.

[@zacharywebb3093]

you really are the go to guy for aquariums. i have been looking for the perfect algae eater for a while now; the hillstream loach has been the perfect addition to my smaller tank.

[@darylalltop]

Another great video Cory. Keep up the good work. This is the best aquarium channel by far.

[@AquariumCoop]

Thanks for the support.

[@annehenderson9207]

Your commentaries are THE BEST. Love watching and hearing anything you put out there. Great information, super interesting style of presenting. Thank-you!

[@leemarks3236]

Love this!! However... One should be aware mystery snails will attempt to leave the tank to lay their eggs if the tank is full! Imagine my surprise when I located aquatic snails (miraculously still alive and well) out the front door and onto the driveway the day after disappearing!!

[@egserrano19]

Edwin from Costa Rica ,thank for All your tips and shareing your knoelege !!!

[@johnjohnsten4158]

Very good video. It contained some new ways of dealing with algae and some old ones. A tank too free of algae is liable to be an unhealthy tank as many fish need to eat algae or they get sick. Mollies need a lot of algae as do live bearing fish in general. Sometimes green water will fix up a sick fish. Really tiny fry that you can't get food small enough for can find it in green water.

[@vacuumnut8300]

Great video. Love how you explain everything so clearly. I have gotten filamentous algae in my tank. The local store said to cut back on the lighting. It is down to 8 hours a day. The real problem is that it is attaching itself to the leaves of my plants. It is very difficult to take it off of the jungle val. The only change I made was missed fertilizing the tank and switched from using Bio-chem zorb to Chemi-pure. Thank you

[@aylahmacannadh9748]

Hi, LOVE your video's and will write a bit later. Just wanted to mention that Amano shrimp will eat those little white Nerite Snail eggs particularly off the wood in your tank. I had a BIG problem with that and within a month not an egg in sight.

[@ryanpeterson5239]

There is a product called Chemiclean that I've had success with for treating cyanobacteria. It's advertised as dealing with red cyanobacteria in saltwater tanks but I've used it on the blue-green in freshwater

[@TazawaTanks]

These are some of my favorite videos to watch/listen to. This style is very informative.

[@pluralsingularity8556]

I’m watching because the cover image has a hillstream loach on it. 😁 My tanks handle algae pretty well since I don’t inject CO2.

[@CGSurge]

what an incredible, generous video. THANK YOU!!!

[@BC-uu6iz]

Great info for the hobbyist and you have one of the net's assets meaning the simplifying of complicated issues. tk you

[@Rosemont1021]

You are always good with your analogies :). I've watched a lot of your videos and you are great at explaining things and keeping me engaged.

[@di-deebee2518]

I'm new to keeping fish ... your videos are helping me so much ...thank you your amazing 👏

[@armandbarthelemy9428]

Obviously the best video about algae on KZbin

[@mrsgalindo7]

Love how detailed your information is .thank you so much for sharing.

[@TheChefmike66]

New subscriber. I love your videos. I was heavily into the hobby 30-35 years ago, and I'm back. Thanks .

[@TheGreenerLawn]

Cory, I really love the Lawn analogies, because I really relate to them 😁

[@stereosympathy]

Excellent basic information on identifying and controlling algae. A must watch for someone like me who is just starting out in the aquarium hobby. Thanks!

[@AquariumCoop]

Good luck :)

[@morganaluthor]

very informative especially for someone new to this. thanks :)

[@ccmpursuit1]

Definitely found this video looking for algae problems lol....subscribed!

[@trochartist]

Hey man, greetings from NYS. Great video👍 You are doing great things for this hobby. This video must have taken a lot of your time to prepare and present, I commend you. If they ever have an awards ceremony for the great ones in “the hobby”, your definitely gonna clean up. Thank you for what you do and provide for all of the community.

[@danlinek6302]

Great video Cory I'm not a planted tank guy but I watch all your videos love to have the knowledge for my friends.

[@AquariumCoop]

Yep, same reason I attend lectures on all kinds of fish. It's always useful to know more even if i'm not interested today. Never know down the road.

[@raunaksinha1293]

thank you! thank you! thank you!...you explain everything very detailed...reallly love your video

[@fishing.in.florida2592]

You’ve been such an inspiration to me to start breeding guppies and bristlenose plecos

[@foreverafather1st]

I love pausing your videos as much as I enjoy playing them. Your faces get me. Hahaha you're the man keep on keeping on. Ready to give your store another $1k.

[@robertl6440]

Hello just a quick thank you for your videos. I find them informative and often will cover a lot of questions one might have. Very helpful please keep it up!

[@AquariumCoop]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@ohgr56]

You are an excellent teacher. I wish I'd found your videos long ago!

[@HighLow_Milo]

Anytime ive tried to go buy an antibiotic for my cyanobacteria problem, i ultimately get stopped by someone at the fish store. They tell me that its bad to use on cyanobacteria because it can be resistant and because it kills all the good bacteria in the tank. Problem is, i have been trying for more than a year now to control the cyanobacteria by controlling light, keeping lots of water circulation, manually removing it, adding wood and ceramic media so that there are places for good bacteria to grow. No use. Nothing has worked. I might have it somewhat under control, but only because i practically never turn the lights on. My plants are all struggling or dead because of it. Im thinking about ordering some arithromycin online so that i dont get shamed out of buying it again like i have the last 3 times

[@corysummers3008]

Mother nature is a perfect environment, and it has algae!

[@Chompchompyerded]

With green water algae, I have had good success at controlling it with freshwater clams and mussels. Once it gets pea soup green it's a little far gone for bivalves to help, but if you have just a little, clams and mussels will help keep it under control.

[@reaeve121]

Never underestimate the algea eating power of a molly. One single molly cleared all the algea off my crypts and swords in one day in my 20 long. I have 3 in there now and they graze all day off the glass and plants. The nerites and trumpet snails keep the decor clean. Having a good crew is a must! Still trying to find a balance in my 37 tall. The glass gets algea fast. I only have one molly but I have the nerites and trumpet snails. It's hard bc I'm fully stocked and I love my stock and don't want to change it. I think I had been overfeeding so I am intermittently fasting the tank. Feeding every couple of days until the algea dies back a bit. I don't mind cleaning the glass bc it's not a big tank and I have awesome cleaning equipment. Thx for this video!

[@sugarmuffin319]

I adore your approach to achieving homeostasis!😍

[@AncientAviator]

Thank you very much Cory. Your videos are *SO* helpful!! Just SUPERB! Nicely done.

[@rebeccayee9476]

Fantastic information, very interesting. Thanks for making!

[@magusmorrow6557]

I'm having some trouble with diatom build up. What should I do? Altra eaters, less light, phosphate remover etc. It's effecting my water wisteria growth

[@kristenvanfleet191]

I love the tank in the back ground!!

[@BenLe42]

that was a pretty decent overall video, thanks

[@wheretonow3106]

Cory, your explanation for cause of algae bloom. Incredible. So few words. Yet got it right away. That's why I always end up back here. Cause you da man. By the way. (I've had tanks since knee high. always plastic plants) Soooo, Thank you for steering me towards live plants. It's great to have yet another outlet , like your keyboard store. to go to so I can spend more $. But honestly, Why did I wait over 1/2 century. To try live plants? They are cool.

[@NDianaJones17]

a lot of great info! thanks a lot . very helpful I'm about to start my first planted tank a 120 gal freshwater community tank. this couldn't have come at a better time. looking forward to the planted tank using co2 video. thanks again all your video are great

[@AquariumCoop]

Yeah, co2 will most likely come out towards the end as it's one of the last building blocks of a planted tank for most people.

[@chrisrice8134]

I had no clue what algae was,now I know everything about algae!☺

[@MichaelClark-uw7ex]

Nerite snails and amano shrimp are my first team algae eaters. Nerites eat the diatom and spot algae, Amanos eat the hair algae. My rare green water is always caused by too much mulm building up, especially in those hidden areas of the tank, a few substrate cleanings and water changes, problem solved. If I can't get my gravel vac in an area I just wave my hand in the water to stir the mulm up into the water column before water changes, the filter gets whatever doesn't get siphoned out. And yes, I have MTS, I've had it for over 50 years. :)

[@nasyi30]

Thank you very much that's awesome content!! Exactly what I was looking for!!!

[@ejfishes7610]

Thanks for the helpful information Cory, keep up the great work!

[@livingforgood]

I am a new and learning tank owner and need so much education and direction and here is where I have found it. Thank you Cory, you are awesome. Best, Gary

[@rolandocaballero5940]

The best helpful tips ever 👍🏼🙏thank you 😊now i can see make more sense,i do enjoy 😉 this video 101 i take notes all advice you said may help me to future references..🤓

[@dylanvogt9990]

thanks for this vid cory, i learned tons!!!

[@AquariumCoop]

Good! Hopefully the next one in the series is the same way for ya.

[@mikeysgurl2005]

Nerites are gorgeous- but can lay eggs everywhere... They dont grow into babies though in freshwater!!! So dont freak if you see white dots (eggs). When mystery snails lay eggs- the clutch is above water line and easy to remove!! Destroy the clutch if you remove them tho :)

[@AquariumCoop]

Or keep the water level high enough they can't do that. But yes. All of them are pretty nice to look at.

[@MrBillclintin]

one of your recomandations is to use mollys to clean algae, for that reason we bought four mollys. after spending two minutes getting used to their new home they went straight for the algae. Thanks for the advise from two new viewers from Denmark

[@AquariumCoop]

Glad it helped you ;) I love mollies for that reason.

[@katief2593]

Subscribed!! I am so happy I found this series of information, thank you so much! You have a very clear way of explaining things and I am so grateful that you put this information up. I have my very first 30 gallon tank running water for the past 5 days. At what point do you think I can put plants in the tank? I added a bacteria supplement and conditioned the water.

[@0oo0megan0oo0]

I feel like you need more example pictures. But other then that it was a really nice video. Thank you.

[@justinrvarga7236]

awesome video mate, thank you for your help :)

[@ther1rida]

SOLID INFORMATION. Thank you

[@the_thicc_kobudai1606]

great video Cory! btw it was great meeting you yesterday

[@AquariumCoop]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@the_thicc_kobudai1606]

oh it was a pleasure and I would recommend you to anyone and I plan on buying fish from you soon

[@MK-db8sk]

"Imma go eat this salad over here" best way to explain this entire video xD. Thank you so much.

[@allisonbehringer2790]

What a GREAT video - very well organized & informative!

[@AquariumCoop]

Thanks. I should use some bullet points more often to make sure I get it all :P

[@jkrc7684]

I thought my plants were dead then I realized they were covered in so much brown algae.

[@MichaelClark-uw7ex]

Nerite snails will clean it up in a few days. I had it bad when I set up my 55g shrimp tank, added just 4 Nerites and the diatoms were gone within a week.

[@C4CApologetics]

Should I leave the UV sterilizer on 24/7 to maintain the tank? Or only use it when fighting algae?

[@FishRfun]

I had a horrible green algae problem in my 55g denison barb and praecox rainbows tank. I had accidentally dosed too much easy green I bought from yall online. Tried all the usual things...black outs and water changes but it wouldn't go away. Got a 24 watt UV sterilizer and it's crystal clear after 6 days. I've taken it out of the tank now so the light lasts longer

[@kingcat3477]

very logically explained, thank you

[@UncleTerry]

I have a bit of an algae problem in one of my ten gallon tanks, but I'm not overly concerned about it the fish seem healthy and happy enough. If it gets out of hand I'll use some of your suggestion to get it under control. thanks.

[@HadEnough745]

I had live rock in my saltwater nano and always had a diatom problem. Brown residue was always on my glass. I changed aquariums to a freshwater and cleaned the live rock, let it sit out dry for a few days, then added it to my freshwater tank and the diatom problem returned. I removed the live rock and used lava rock instead, and diatom problem is gone. Lava rock looks good and is so much easier to deal with.

[@lelanidixon7941]

Really well done video with great info! I don't currently have any algae problems, bristlenose in one tank, amano shrimp in others, but I will keep this in my back pocket to refer to if I have issues in the future.

[@YottaYeti]

Sweeeet, Been very much looking forward to this! Struggling with some low level BBA in my edge for a few months now.

[@AquariumCoop]

Hopefully you can use some tips here to help out :)

[@mylittlefishroom]

congrates on 15k great video again

[@AquariumCoop]

Thanks!