How to FIGHT ALGAE in 11 Easy Steps

[@GirlTalksFish]

*What’s your best suggestion for getting rid of algae?* Comment below to share your experiences, and subscribe if you want to see more videos like this! goo.gl/4q2idY

[@ants7279]

Nice video

[@karinarivadeneira4067]

Snails and shrimp are life savers in my tank

[@GirlTalksFish]

@@karinarivadeneira4067 I wish my betta wouldn't attack them because his tank needs the help!

[@GirlTalksFish]

@@ants7279 Thank you so much! Always glad to see you in the comments. :)

[@ants7279]

@@GirlTalksFish Np just love your content have a great day GW

[@rhiannonk]

I’m a beginner too but in my experience so far, if you have a decent light and easy plants, 8-10 hours is on the longer side. I’ve played around with between 6-8 hours along with a dimmer to find what seemed to keep plants happy without excessive algae. As I was getting tank started, I also tried to start off with a LOT of plants, including some faster growing ones like Rotala, which I think was a big factor in preventing algae. Just my experience in case it helps anyone else :)

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thanks for sharing your experiences! Really appreciate it. :)

[@dusk1947]

After training for my degree in plant and soil science, I hate seeing "balance your tank". It's a BS cop-out... Understand: "Liegig's law of the minimum" and study "Eutrophication", those two topics and a good test kit provide more than enough foundational knowledge to control unwanted growth. Nice video on the topic

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thanks so much for the info!

[@yoruva1]

Simple and concise information. Great video

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thank you so much! Let me know if there are any topics you'd like to see in the future. :)

[@ColorMyWorld]

I havent had a stringy Algae bloom yet, but I get green on the glass. I bought the clean up crew and supplement their feeding with some Algae Pellets every few days. So far so good.

[@jessiecooper8532]

Seriously, thank you for this! I've learned more in 6 of your videos than in 6 months with a tank.

[@chongmingwong2929]

Nice video! Like the way you structure the whole thing. I have low light plants. I find that light intensity is a factor. I tinted portions of the lamp and the green algae got under control.

[@user-IL1EL]

Helpful. I have only have 15 varieties of plants and mosses only few are fasting growing . And thanks for all the tips

[@GirlTalksFish]

My pleasure!

[@42paxl]

The floating plant..water lettuce...is also very good...it out competes algae, but needs checking as it will grow fast!

[@GirlTalksFish]

I really want to grow dwarf water lettuce again someday!

[@tyvonnehs9102]

All of the people on planted tank groups online overwhelmingly say that a product called Thrive is the best fertilizer on the market, beating both Seachem and easy green products. I haven’t tried it yet, but when I run out I’ll be getting some to try it out.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Ooo, I'd love to try it too! Thanks so much the suggestion. Let me know how it goes for you. :)

[@kdocdreamer2930]

Some fish like mollies can eat algae too, and they can be converted to brackish or salt water where algae eating fish are harder to find.

[@soupbonep]

Great info as always! But I've been wondering if the tanks in your videos are all yours? Because these are some of the most beautiful aquascapes I've ever seen.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Haha, I wish! Some of the footage comes from an aquascaping gallery I visited in Houston, which you can see here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3ekm5yYorRmaJY

[@jasonbeard4130]

It’s important to mention that when you’re cleaning filter media (e.g.: filter sponge) you clean it in water taken from the aquarium. If you use tap water you will kill the beneficial bacteria in your filter and may end up needing to cycle the tank again.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Great tip! Interestingly enough, I watched a video by a microbiology college professor who says he washes his sponge filters in tap water with much success. I haven't totally converted to that method, but it's an interesting video for sure if you want to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKGXapual8Zjm7s

[@jasonbeard4130]

A Gamer's Wife thanks for sharing the link. Just watched the video and will give that a go and test the water.

[@briannanicole2149]

What are the plants in the blue beta tank?

[@briankepner7569]

Have actually two questions. Do the types of filters use today contribute to algae because back in the days when we use power heads and undergravel filters it was or seemed to be much less of a problem. I admit that the light systems back then were not contributing as much of a problem I remember a 55 gallon tank that stopped having an algae problem when I put a canister filter on it and I mean a filter meant for anaerobic bacteria processing. But who knows I love your videos

[@shesellsfish]

Solid tips and advice. 👍💕👍

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thank you so much! Always so happy to see you in the comments; thanks for the encouragement. :)

[@roysshrimptanks1676]

Hey 👋🏻, I am back in the comments like always 😍❤️😇😇😇, awesome video . U just solved my algae problem

[@GirlTalksFish]

Awesome sauce! Always glad to help. :)

[@sucobieder]

Hi, I couldn't find any video about getting rid of snails, often when you buy plants you just can't avoid getting a snail infestation in your tank, how can I clear out my tank from them?

[@joermo74]

I actually want algae because im thinking on geting otocinclus

[@doctorwigglespank8933]

I recently started my first 20g planted tank (your vids have been a huge help) and over the last two weeks, I've starting to see brown algae growth. Thankfully, it's mostly growing on my Java Fern, which are tied to small rocks and are easy to remove and clean. I've also been experimenting with light levels and timing. I haven't added any fish yet, but a cleanup crew is coming soon. I'm going to start with a few Otocinclus Catfish.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Ooo good luck with them! Otos have come highly rated to me, so I've gotten some to eat my brown algae too. :)

[@watersrising8044]

Reminder to keep checking your water parameters when you add root tabs and liquid fertilizer. My nitrates got really high

[@GirlTalksFish]

Yes, very good reminder! I had to watch my nitrates like a hawk too, especially in those early days.

[@myaquarium2514]

Thanks for the video. I need your advice , I have a non planted tank about 1 month old,10gall, I already have cycled, but I have this brown algae on the walls. It is not receiving direct dun light but I do need to reduce the lap light...I can do that. Any thought of introducing snails? I do not want plecos, kif a snail is an option what type would work and do I need to quarentin them? If so how can I do that. Any advice is appreciated.....thanks again.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Brown algae is very common in new aquariums, and many times will lessen with time as your plants mature (assuming it's a planted tank). I know lots of people like mystery snails and nerite snails, but you might need to do more research or ask other people since I'm not a big snail keeper. :)

[@myaquarium2514]

@@GirlTalksFish tks!!!!

[@jarred4734]

I will say, if your lighting is strong you might only need 6 hours of light a day. My lights I bought ended up being super heavy duty (72 par at 12”!!!) so I dimmed the lighting to 80% using a dimmer switch and cut back the light timers to 6 hours a day and dosed ferts on every 50% water change. My plant growth exploded and my algae problem disappeared!

[@GirlTalksFish]

Awesome advice! Thanks for sharing. :)

[@NN-kn1on]

nerite snails

[@jungshin87]

This is all I needed

[@countdracula5233]

using ADA soil

[@satguy]

35% output on my light and a UVC sterilizer and I don't see algae.

[@AussieAquatic]

For me, Cleanup Crew is my first thought. Fast growing plants at the running in phase. Dialling in lighting via the timers. Fertiliser dose rates suitable to the plants stocking level. And finally, I like to leave small amounts of floating plant debris, since they often begin growing again, as Free New plants :)

[@GirlTalksFish]

Love it! Thank you for sharing all these wonderful tips for keep algae under control. :)

[@AussieAquatic]

@@GirlTalksFish it has served me well for 35 years ☺

[@allanbrado794]

Don't clean your filter unless it has decreased the flow

[@chewkenghong]

Soaking the plants n ornaments on 3%h202 worked for me. What puzzled me is for organic matters like wood..plants..the BBA on them took abt 3to4 days before the BBA turned red. For rocks, filters pipes etc..they turned red within 2hrs after putting back in tank. But still abit paranoia abt the BBA as they are still lurking around the tank and dunno when they will come back again.

[@FishForThought]

Some solid tips here :) Also, thumbnail is LIT!

[@GirlTalksFish]

Oh my goodness, you don't know how happy your thumbnail comment made me. I seriously was up at 11 pm the night before, totally feeling discouraged at not being able to make a decent thumbnail. Thank you; that's exactly the encouragement I needed to hear!

[@finn-nn3uk]

Oh hi Chris!!

[@pinguismyrealnameandplease9785]

Kiris

[@vraptork181]

You have literally the same problems I have and the perfect videos for solving them :P

[@brandtsavoy6123]

Is it my phone ? But why is the video just a tiny little square in the left corner and can't see rest of the shot..whats going on over there? Yakuza or Mafia forcing you to decorate,clean,and set up tanks for them? The Gamer abusing you? You abusing the Gamer???? Lol

[@lahormiga1989]

My fish tank is next to the window and I don't get algae. I don't fertilize, not even in my planted tank. My plants are great, but no algae except my moss balls. Even the week I skipped the water change, the water was cleaning. I never clean the glass, but do gravel vacuum once a week when I do my 50% water change. Plus rinse out the media in the back hanging filter or sponge filter. I hope I don't have to worry about algae ever, but I know it's only a matter of time.

[@Piggy202]

algea will hate cabomba, and rotala (any type), valisneria, and duckweed, hope it helps!!

[@jamesgreen9372]

Thanks for all the video tips and information in the description. This is a great starting point and appreciated. Jim

[@ianlehman8342]

One thing I would suggest to anyone new to this video is plastic razors; you can now get them cheap, and they don't scratch the glass

[@briankepner7569]

Does an ultraviolet filter help with algae

[@potatowithdepresso2705]

i keep getting algae on my betta hammock its annoying lol

[@stbam1965]

We KNOW WHAT YOUR GOING TO TALK ABOUT SO JUST DO IT

[@rthecrook]

Thank you! Have had my first tank for about a month and have brown algae starting to pop up, so this video is perfect for me! (I even had the thought "hmm I should check A Gamer's Wife channel for tips" the other day!)

[@GirlTalksFish]

Lol, yay glad my video came out in time! Let me know if there any other topics you'd like to see me cover in the future. :)

[@ColorMyWorld]

What are those bright green plants in the background. I need those in my life!

[@GirlTalksFish]

Which part of the video are you talking about? Just let me know and I'll do my best to ID them. :)

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Great vid as always.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Awww thank you so much for the encouragement! Can't wait to see your Tokyo videos; I've got a lot to catch up!

[@DebTim]

Hi Gamey... excellent info. Love your vids. Just so you know I always watch just don't always leave comments. It takes away from watch time. YOu know the drill... Luvya!!🐟💚😊👍💙💦

[@GirlTalksFish]

Awww, thanks for watching! Yeah, know what you mean... so many great videos, so little time. :)

[@wearefishlover]

Nice information

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thank you so much!

[@gem9535]

How I feel about algae: Green Algae: Eh, it's alright. Maui lights the green fuzzy walls. Brown Algae: TIME TO DIE, MOTHERF*CKERS!

[@mochaguts2693]

My cousin gave me a few snails. Now they’re taking over my tank, an ungodly amount of algae is taking over. Help!!! The snails do NOTHING!!

[@chabelitaalvarado358]

How would you clean the bottom of the tank with all the plants growing? Or would you clean it with a siphon

[@waterboi4846]

i have hundreds of shrimp and algae is usually a blessing in my tank cos they eat them all up before the algae spots even appears

[@rodelolalia2538]

Use the walstad method on your planted aquarium. Algae won't be a problem

[@jayedahamedjayed6355]

love you video . Love from Bangladesh

[@AlexDC93]

0:28 What are those leaf shaped fish at the top of the tank?

[@shailendrakadari]

whats is the canister filter next to your tank ?

[@JeremyGoneWildPets]

*takes notes*

[@GirlTalksFish]

🤗🤗🤗

[@parkero_0927]

Thanks so much for his helpful video. Another recommendation for a video in the future- another all my pets video. It’s been over a year since your last one, and your 20 gallon tank has changed so much. Also, I can’t wait to see the new cherry shrimp tank!

[@GirlTalksFish]

Oh, good suggestion! I was planning on doing another one at the end of the year, but maybe I should do a mid-year report. :)

[@naturezone1212]

I never deal with algae, I have snails.

[@ryan-xr1st]

same I got my snails accidentally from a plant I think and they’ve been breeding like crazy ever since

[@wendyjo6233]

First, let me start by saying thank you! Your advice has helped me rethink some things before I start my first planted tank. But I am a bit confused. If I use a plant substrate (eco complete) which has everything for healthy plant growth, why do I need to supplement with liquid and tabs? I know the substrate will eventually deplete but on a new start up?

[@GirlTalksFish]

Great question! Yes, I've since learned that you shouldn't add much fertilizer to a newly planted tank because the plants aren't settled in and it'll tend to cause algae growth. Wait till the nutrients in Eco-Complete are used up a little more before adding more.

[@irishaquarist]

My Hygrophelia Compakt are showing signs of CO2 deficiancy, but they're looking really healthy otherwise. Some little holes here and there from Bladder Snails and Corycats eating the leaves, but other than that they're great. Is it bad that I like the look of some algaes? There's this Greenn Bushy Algae on my Wood and Stones and it makes the tank look more natural.

[@GirlTalksFish]

I actually don't mind it as much on my rocks as well. Guess it just depends on what your tolerance level is. :)

[@nathanmitchell5217]

Probably clean up crew BUT NO COMMON PLECOS also I would make sure I was feeding them as well In case there was not enough Algae was there for them to eat

[@GirlTalksFish]

Lol, preach it!

[@Evil_Genius_888]

Algae is a constant battle. I’ve finally fixed it in one low tech tank and now have breakout in another high tech tank. 😬

[@GirlTalksFish]

Oh, the eternal struggle! Best of luck with the high tech tank; let me know how it goes!

[@parkero_0927]

What brand of sand do you use in your 20 gallon shy guys tank? It really makes the colors pop so I'd like to get some for my next tank

[@GirlTalksFish]

Awww thanks! I just get the regular ol' black sand from PetSmart and Petco (amzn.to/2WT0Tk8). I like it because it's heavier and larger grained than some of the CaribSea sands, which means it's easier to clean with a siphon (won't get vacuumed up as easily). It also doesn't cloud up the water (even without rinsing) because it's heavier. The sand is an inert substrate and won't have any nutrients in it though, so I do use root tabs for my rooted plants. Hope that helps. :)

[@theRealLivingstone]

A wonderful video! Would you mind identifying the blue fishes at 2:11? Thank you.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure since this was taken at an aquascaping gallery. It looks a little like Hemigrammus rodwayi or Serrapinnus kriegi or something similar? Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[@stephanieaviles3259]

So I’m maybe getting a Betta fish and I’m wondering how many hours of light should my fish get?

[@GirlTalksFish]

Good question. Do you plan on growing any live plants? If so, they generally like 6-10 hours of light. However if you have no live plants and just fish, they generally don't need to have the aquarium light on (as long as they're in a room with some kind of indirect sunlight or ambient lighting). If you do turn on the aquarium light, just make sure not to keep it on all night because your betta needs to sleep. :)

[@chriskinney8947]

Another awsum vid thanks for the useful info . Now I'll be able to fight the green monster

[@GirlTalksFish]

Best of luck to ya!

[@richardboudreau5461]

I have a 29 gal tank that I haven't set up yet. Bought it used. I had one before but it was a non-planted tank and I loved it. Now I want a planted tank but I am in shock over how expensive the hobby has become. Being retired on a limited income, it will be difficult for me to get this tank up and running. Just the start-up with the cost of substrate and tons of plants will be costly. I plan on running the tank with no fish for some time to get the plants and the bio-environment established. Then the insane prices of fish today. Wow!! Twenty-five years ago, Neons were 3 for a dollar, not anymore. Anyway, thanks again for your videos. Invaluable information!!!

[@doctorwigglespank8933]

There are alternatives to that costly substrate. I spent $40 for a couple 15# bags of Seachem Flourite for my 20g, and then found that I could have bought a $7 bag of SafeTsorb and got the same thing. It's a different color, but still looks nice. Lots of other tips like that if you browse some of the popular forums. Same for plants: If you shop around, you can find reasonable prices. I started with no fish, too. I set up my tank at the beginning of April, used Dr. Tims bacteria & ammonia until the cycle started, then added plants mid May. I'm still running it without fish and it's doing great, other than algae starting to grow. Seems like a good time to introduce some fish, especially some sort of algae eaters. Good luck with your tank.

[@richardboudreau5461]

@@doctorwigglespank8933 Thanks

[@richardportelli1983]

Amazing video! I took your advice and bought a 500ml bottle of Flourish Advance. Have been dosing for 4 days now and so far have really noticed a significant boost in root growth of all my plants. So far I am impressed. Have you noticed any improvements from using it?

[@GirlTalksFish]

Yay, that's awesome! Yes, I've noticed not only better rooting, but also no more pinholes in my plant leaves. Guess I really must be lacking in those nutrients that Flourish Advance provides.

[@richardportelli1983]

@@GirlTalksFish if you read the ingredients there are many different amino acids. Being we use clean tap water that is sterile I believe that is why sometimes our plants struggle as they do not get all the things that they would get out in the real world.

[@nikolasschwann2478]

For the outcompete option, is it okay for my tank to have a little aquaponics system above it (asuming the tank is large enough with little plantation) Oh and it's a gar tank

[@GirlTalksFish]

Yeah, for sure! I know Axolotls Anonymous (facebook.com/axolotlsanonymous/ ) actually sells aquaponics kits that you can put above your aquariums. Great for heavy bioload creatures. :)

[@kdocdreamer2930]

Pothos plant(devil s ivy) is great for removing nitrates, any cutting off a plant at least 6-10 inches stem in water will grow , leaves don't do well in water but will survive for periods of time

[@continuousself-improvement1879]

What is that bright green plant on the left at 0:19 ? I like it.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Ah, I believe that's water sprite, originally grown floating (hence the very broad leaves).

[@ants7279]

I found out Algea is good for your tank but if you want a natural way to kill algea add mossballs not only will they look great in your tank but they kill algea its like plant warfer sciense or someting it work great for my small tank.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Oh interesting! I have one marimo moss ball in my shrimp tank, but definitely had no trouble growing algae on the tank walls. Maybe I need more...

[@ants7279]

@@GirlTalksFish Yes u need a good number of them but it depends on where you put them.

[@probablynotabigtoe9407]

I might have missed it but I didn’t hear you mention a blackout period to help defeat the algae.

[@GirlTalksFish]

You're right - I didn't mention a blackout period. I had... mixed results when I did it against brown and blue-green algae. Sure, the algae died after several days but then came right back as soon as the lights were on (even though I was trying other algae eliminating tactics in conjunction). And the plants didn't like the blackout. So maybe... I would do a blackout to get rid of the algae the first time and then do manual removal every time afterwards so that the plants won't suffer from the lack of light too much.

[@probablynotabigtoe9407]

A Gamer's Wife it works best if followed up by a short 4hr light on period for a few weeks until the tank parameters equal out.

[@coletran3451]

3:32 Ha! Chopsticks 🤗

[@GirlTalksFish]

Lol, a little known tool the aquascaping world. 😉

[@twunderaquatics1770]

What I do for algea is to add pathos vines. If you don't have the filter that hangs on the back use lead weights to keep the ends from falling out till you have enough roots. Pathos takes any extra nutrients out of the water column. Also looks good. This sometimes works too well. Rachel O'leary put it in one of her tanks just to help with a heavy bio load. She had blackbeard algea all over this tank which she loved. It destroyed all of it. That's where I got the idea.

[@beaka63]

Any idea how long that would take? I have a pothos plant just rooting in a glass and could easily do this.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Haha, I saw that video from Rachel and got some pothos from my aunt to help. Maybe it's because my pothos is still young, but it didn't lower my nitrates as much as I thought it would. I'll keep monitoring it as the plants get bigger and see what happens.

[@twunderaquatics1770]

I used four vines. It started working within a week.

[@poione42]

Start an Anacharis garden 🤷‍♂️

[@GirlTalksFish]

Lol, bingo!

[@poione42]

Just set up a new 24 gallon rimless cube tank today. Definitely going to use your floating ring tip. Hopefully it won’t become an Anacharis garden

[@BigRalfie355]

Pet Zone? The one in City Heights, or the one in Kearny Mesa?

[@GirlTalksFish]

San Diego, I believe. I read one of their articles in a hobbyist magazine and really appreciated the step-by-step instructions. :)

[@BigRalfie355]

@@GirlTalksFish Oh, I'm from San Diego, that's why I'm asking. We have two Pet Zones: the one in City Heights is run by the father, and the one in Kearny Mesa by the son.

[@GirlTalksFish]

@@BigRalfie355 Ohhh gotcha! The article says it was written by Bryan Albarran. Hope that helps! :)

[@princetrophies]

2:54 that pink grass looking plant!! What is it?

[@GirlTalksFish]

I actually have no idea! It was an aquascape I saw at the Aquarium Design Group in Houston.

[@princetrophies]

@@GirlTalksFish cool. We live in Houston and will be taking a trip tomorrow. I saw online they sale plants too! Thanks!!

[@GirlTalksFish]

@@princetrophies What a coincidence! Let me know if you find out what the plant is.

[@clairex1657]

This is amazing! Its snappy and gets the point delivered...keep up the good work! Btw, is the shy guys tank with the loaches your current community tank?

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thank you so much! And yes, the Shy Guys tank is my current community tank. Be on the lookout for an upcoming video on how I set it up. :)

[@assemelsayed5331]

best trick i have learned is to weigh my fish food, and decrease by 25%, it takes care of the algae problem in the long term, apart from the black beard algae off course