My BEST Tips for Preventing Algae in Aquariums

[@AquariumCoop]

*What's your favorite algae-fighting tip?* If you haven't gotten any algae eaters yet, check out these 5 favorites of ours: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmqXe6NuZ6melbcsi=UUO0Nzp0R3JQYkJf

[@Lazy_Fish_Keeper]

Reverse Respiration

[@joshuajones8885]

hornwort. started a 75g 4-6 weeks ago, 23 mystery snails 10 cherry shrimp and 6 honey gourani, im growing my scape vs buying lots of plants because of budget but to keep things in check our hornwort grows by 1/4 ish of the tank per week, we keep the lights on forever (8am to 10pm) because my wife wants to "see the fish" we sell hornwort to buy more plants, 5ppm nitrate after 3 weeks of no water change

[@lazyremnant380]

As Diana Walstad and George Farmer said in their book, lots and lots of healthy plant growth, preferably the fast ones. I already practiced it and it works very well. Emphasis should be on "healthy" though, you still need to take care of the plants somewhat. But they will, in turn, take care of your tank inhabitants and keeps algae at bay.

[@jackhummel4465]

Dialing back the light made a big difference for me.

[@BlueZoneAquarium]

Cory always does a great job of explaining things in easy to understand terms without getting too complicated. There are perfect pictures of planted tanks. If you really want a perfect photo of a planted tank buy a bunch of plants plug them in the substrate and take a picture. In the real world sustainability and balance are the key. Don’t sweat the small stuff and learn to enjoy maintenance take that time to observe and appreciate your aquarium.

[@obduliomoronta4820]

I love seeing algae in my aquarium, it tells me my aquarium is well established. I’ve had green algae, blue algae, Blackbeard, etc, but you can get rid of it by lowering light time, frequent water changes, and limiting the amount of fertilizer you put in a tank. Patience is paramount to eliminating algae. It won’t go away 100% but it will take care of 80% of the problem.

[@BIGDADDYTRICKZ]

@@obduliomoronta4820 same I like some of the algae in my tank usually my snails take care of it pretty fast tho in heavy areas so my tank is changing all the time with different formations of algae growing it’s pretty cool watching it change every day

[@cyndifalk]

One of the best advice I got from Corey about planted aquariums: Learn to grow plants. This simple statement taught me that plant growing is both an art & a science. Also, have fun with it. The only person you're likely to impress is yourself anyway, no matter how skilled you get. Truth.

[@coldsoul333]

MJ Aquascaping: "Don't focus on how to get rid of algae. Focus on how to grow healthy plants."

[@gertinewoord1887]

This is the best algea video out there.just focus on prevention.so less light (duration) less fishfood less fish more plants ,lots off floating plants.light on timer .use low light plants under your floating plants .succes garanteed.

[@rickwallace2091]

Corey, you made it so easy to understand, thanks so much and wish me luck

[@catzplantzandaquatix]

My best tip is using kit lights. My plants thrive, and I've never had an algae problem. Kit lights give off medium light. Typically they produce 10 to 20 lumens per liter of water, and they don't use near as much electricity. I would keep my lights on from when I wake up to when I go to sleep which is 16 to 20hrs. Never had a problem with algae or dying plants. I actually learned that from your channel 🙂 I just did extensive research on the subject.

[@j.l.c526]

Every time I watch your videos I think “I love you Cory!” Haha. Such a great guy and just the best explanations on various subjects making amateur fishkeepers like me continue to have enthusiasm for the hobby. Thanks for the continued videos.

[@psychopanda4313]

I recently got a better light, forgot to turn it off once and couldn't see into my tank the next day, was gutted 😂 took 2 large water changes to begin to clear it up. I never had algea issues with my old cheap ebay light. I've since added a lot of water lettuce to dull the light getting in which has helped a lot. My plants appreciate the new light though so it has been worth figuring out a balance. I love my army of trumpet snails for clean up, they get in all the nooks and crannies.

[@Starship007]

I have been a fish hobbyist for 60 years. Algae is a problem but regular proactive maintenance helps vs reactive maintenance. Glass boxes are way more polluted than open rivers, marshes, and oceans. One reason water changes are so important, no over feeding, and frequent detritus pickup. Sumps with filter socks so easy to see filth vs canister filter. Filter socks can be easily cleaned every 4 days to prevent non eaten food breaking down further. UV sterilizers like pentair keep water columns crystal clear.(fish look Like swimming in air) weekly wiping down glass/acrylic panels whether needed or not. Try to limit lighting to 4-6 hours. Keep aquariums from direct light. Warmer aquariums allow more algae growth especially 80 degrees and above. Algae scrubbers do work if you have room. Scrubbers are one of the newest ways to control algae. Also roller Matt filters newest way to avoid the filter sock cleaning issue.

[@youssefadili7880]

Thanks for the education

[@lazyremnant380]

I'm fairly new to this hobby, and I'm one of Diana Walstad's followers. My first tank has only been running for around 3 months and 17 days, 90% of its content are plants, all fast and moderate growers like Elodea, Cabomba, Ludwigia, and Vallisneria, and algae is at background level. They are there, but they are unable to get the upper hand on any of my plants. A month ago, I started adding slow growers like Anubias, Cryptocorynes, and Java ferns under the shade of the fast growers, and so far they look healthy, growing, and algae free. I don't use CO2, fertilizers, nor algae eaters, but I do use bright light meant for aquascaping, set according to Walstad's Siesta Regimen of 5 hours on-4 hours off-5 hours on. If there are worse things like blue-green cyanobacteria or black beards, I think they should've been appearing by now, but there are none.

[@NanoFishRoom8]

Algae can be a good thing especially for Livebearers, shrimp, fry and Plecos

[@chia_pet7121]

It would be nice if you would do an experiment on the green freshwater sponge. Since it is green, you should experiment on limiting the amount of light as the green is probably a symbiolic algae keeping it alive.

[@norcalanthony7]

Just an FYI they also make Kasa smart power strip that you can find on sale pretty frequently instead of getting multiple smart outlets and plugging them in to a normal/dumb power strip. Have three of them on my different tanks and love being able to program the light schedule like Cory said as well as being able to shut off the filter or heater for maintenance using the app instead of having to crawl under and unplug things lol.

[@BenOchart]

Great tips! Getting enough plants going which consumed the nutrients and starved the algae, together with some of your other tips, like lights on a timer, has gotten it under control. Oto's, snails and bushynose plecos are also a big help. What about those Co-Op phosphate pads? How do they fit in the algae control world? Thanks Cory.

[@tree.65]

For me it seems the more plants in my aquarium, the less algae I have. Plus the nerite snails. There's only one tank, a ten gallon that grows hair algae like crazy. I pull it out by hand once a week. Btw, I like that shirt. Blue is your color.

[@rachelburnell9532]

Good tips 👍

[@TCS_Aquatics]

It’s alllllll about balance. There are plenty of ways to balance, but for me a deep substrate and super heavy plant load (even with a heavy bioload) makes it to where I never have algae. Also balancing your light schedule.

[@dhrabarchuk]

Awesome video thank you!

[@Rorther]

Little adaptations are ALWAYS better than HUGE modifications, which can unbalance the whole tank. Like, if you are removing the algeae which are consuming the excess nutrient, and nothing happen, the excess nutrient will just become nitrates and amonia, and cause other problems.

[@MeanOldLady]

I've got all kinds of algae in my planted tank, just as I have lots of fungal colonies on my wood. The tank is in a constant state of flux & the only problem I ever did a water change for was a diatom explosion. I'll occasionally take a cup or 2 from it to inoculate a new/holding tank, but I haven't done any other water changes on it - though I might soon as my shrimp population just exploded. I've got neos, a mystery snail, a rabbit snail & a couple nerites along with 2 guppies & 6 rummynose rasboras & 1 lone CPD survivor in the little, 9g tank. My 20g guppy tank is a disaster of algae right now as I'm waiting for babies to grow out before I cull them. ^^;

[@pannobhasa]

Hornwort is a very fast-growing plant that absorbs nutrients from the water, thereby purifying the water and removing nutrients from it, starving out the algae.

[@GSRGaming115]

black beard is the bane of my existence

[@JohnSmith-pw1gf]

Bristlenose plecos for the glass algae and flying foxes for every other type of algae👍

[@Lazy_Fish_Keeper]

I don't mind some algae, as algae is an important part of a healthy ecosystem. When something happens to disturb the balance, I plan on spending 10 to 15 minutes each day pulling out excess algae until the tank re-establishes homeostasis. I used to have a goal of an Aquascape competition worthy tank.....but it only took 3 years to suck the joy out of my aquarium hobby. I've returned to creating ecosystems, and now have a lot more confidence with plants than I had before the pandemic... And I don't have to keep buying new plants every 3 to 6 months to replace what died😅 For the first time in my life, I'm breeding multiple species of shrimp. And I have a dedicated NANF tank in my dining room, thanks to the support of the NERMS!

[@FusionDeveloper]

Analog timers also drift. They are not precise. They are only good for 1 day use. Digital Timers are the only timer anyone should buy.

[@Steve0272.]

Boxing is like dancing , as they both typically follow a pattern , the HWs equate to basic dad dancing for most , so if you know even 6-8 dance moves of your opponent then it's easier to be a good dance partner and punish them

[@staceyhart7827]

I can’t seem to grow it very well I wish I could I’m sure my hillstreams and shrimp would love it

[@armaansvlog5566]

Is it good to use uv light for algae

[@jeromeogivenz954]

Did you say? 😂ACOREYium cop You can put that on a shirt

[@aviation47551]

Hello, I have had a aquarium for 7 years. I have had crayfishes, crabs, swordtails, bristelnose plecos, swordtails, black neon tetras, neocaridina and amano shrimp, betta fish, and the whole time odessabarbs. I have had coldwater and tropical water. What do you think I should do know?

[@diegomarinelli8852]

Chiclids?

[@aviation47551]

Yeah maybe, but I think my aquarium is to small. It’s 96l.

[@danm8004]

​@@aviation47551Shell dwellers, perhaps?

[@Jlui83]

Hair algae is my nemesis.

[@edmorris1437]

I got some female Florida Flagfish and they took care of my hair algae.

[@yantremblay-cote2597]

Hungry goldfish will eat everything. My goldfish tank is the one with less algea, except on glass. Downside there's no way to keep snails and shrimps. Some plants barely survive with them.

[@LassoKid7777]

I can't get enough algae my shrimp love it , I've got so many cherry shrimp atm......breeding outta control

[@yashtapase3821]

Hello my aquarium keeping friends i have a question for you : Just imagine If the algae thing didn't existed in our hobby then we weren't had interest in our fish tanks, just imagine we have our fish tanks that doesn't need to change water , or any type of pick the stuff by your hand (algae) lights turned on 24/7 no need to worry about that tank will change something if we do not care. Whats interesting about that nothing , algae is there for making or remaining our interest in our tanks thats what nature surprised ❤ I dont know you guys are getting it what ive just said

[@AndNowThis..]

I turn my aquarium light on around 7am and turn it off around 10pm everyday and I have no algae because I use UV light water pump.

[@tebetramirez3209]

Hi my fellow aquarist

[@myst8217]

Yo!

[@FusionDeveloper]

I want a way to grow algae when my entire aquarium water surface is covered in floating plants and all my inhabitants eat algae. 3,000 lumens and no algae. I'm trying to have clear floating containers to let light get in, hope it helps.

[@law19859]

I have a black, flat algea covering my plants killing them. Its very tough to remove and i have lowered the light intensity, and length of time it's on. What is this and how do i kill it? I have all low light, slow growing plants in a community tank

[@growjunkieradio]

Everything you need to know to combat algae is contained within this video! GoodVibes

[@123vietnamm]

I would like to ask how much money can I make by raising rhinogobius fish for a year? This fish is raised for ornamental purposes or for eating

[@aligekido1507]

Algae is good just embrace it

[@yashtapase3821]

Why my plants getting some yellowish pale leaves why ? My water is clean algae free, highlight ,but i havent dose any kind of liquid fertilizer

[@Scaperoot79]

Dealing with BBA in my 40 breeder. I can handle any other type of algae, but BBA destroys my plants. The affected plants are under the flow of my Tidal 55 and turning it down as low as it goes doesn't help. I've had to treat with Hydrogen Peroxide for weeks. Very frustrating.

[@travisbumpy5341]

Heavily planted tank helps keep algae down for me.

[@Cameraman2419]

I've had aquarium for years. I've had this problem for years. I do not have CO2. The majority of my plants are Vallisneria. It just won't go away. This is what I've done. My lights are on a timer. I have reduced my light to five hours. Three months ago. I do water changes every other week almost 50%. I've used many liquid carbons. I feed my fish every other day. I use root tabs. Once a month I have Amano shrimp My nitrate is 5.0 ppm. Can anybody give me any more advice? Would floating plants help out?

[@lazyremnant380]

Reducing your light to 5 hours harms your plants more than the algae; It's just not enough photoperiod. When the plants are not healthy, algae will exploit that weak point. Vallisneria alone is maybe a little bit slower to handle algae, so they'll need help. (My Vallisneria americana, when already established and grows well, are algae-resistant though) My advice is to return the light to 6-8 hours and add A LOT more fast-growing weeds like Egeria densa, Elodea canadensis, Myriophyllums, Cabombas, Hygrophilas, and last but not least, yeah, floating plants, like duckweeds, water lettuce, or even water hyacinth if your tank is large enough. Just make sure that all of these plants never go to your local waterway, there's a reason all of those are deemed invasive.

[@Cameraman2419]

@@lazyremnant380Thank you

[@FrugalFishkeeping]

Algae is the weed of the aquarium

[@NHseacoast]

How about Siamese algae eaters?

[@lruddy8820]

Algae makes a tank look more natural if you can control it, i have hair algae and monte carlo growing out of a sponge filter and it looks great and ‘hides’ the ugly black sponge with a wall of green and texture

[@Rorther]

Reduce lighting, feeding. If possible, use fish/shrimp/snails that will consume algeae. Remember: SOME algeae is good, and is helping the aquarium to reach an equilibrium. The only algeae which i remove is from the display glass, not because its best for the tank, just because it's better for me to watch the tank!

[@myst8217]

I use to get it weekly but Idk what has happened but it's basically non existent now. I mean I'm not complaining lol

[@anthonyruth5606]

I have a Oscar tank and no plants and I have algae I think the algae produces spores or something like that

[@blueiceice9416]

Why is it so hard to gin 60" lights ???

[@AquariumCoop]

Shipping, something 5 feet long costs like 4x to ship than two 2.5 foot lights.

[@blueiceice9416]

@@AquariumCoop ughh, My tank is 5'x3' so I use 3 lights on it... first year I had it I found lights easy, now though...

[@putty8023]

I battling blue green algea in two of my aquariums rn.

[@ChristopherShurts]

More plants right? Algae is result of excess nutrients in the water and light. Add more plants and they'll consume the excess nutrients, which in-turn will reduce the amount of algae.

[@sarge6870]

My reccomendation (kinda) is a Pleco. Keep in mind they will grow to the size if the tank. I got one about 3 years ago that was about 2inches long and is now about 10 inches long (in a 35gal tank). No algae in the tank but he's so big now that whenever he swims, he redocorates the tank!

[@matthewmccoy3211]

@@sarge6870 sounds like like you got a common pleco in that size tank I would probably get some Ottos or a bristlenose pleco

[@profeturulz8373]

Does it eat bba or string algae?

[@matthewmccoy3211]

@@profeturulz8373 Ottos does and Florida flag fish as well

[@matthewmccoy3211]

@@profeturulz8373 aquarium co-op has some videos on algae eaters as well, check his channel he's got some cool tips and is very knowledgeable

[@sarge6870]

@@profeturulz8373 As far as I know, just common algae and algae disks I put in the tank. Glass and substrate super clean.

[@jack27nikk38]

Aahh the algea annoying creature 👽

[@NHseacoast]

Snails?

[@mansingw]

First