Green Algae (Chlorophyta): algae in the aquarium are unfortunately one of the most common problems for aquarists. Especially the most widespread algae such as the green algae (Chlorophyta). This species is very common in the aquarium. Be it in different sub-forms like the Thread algae, floating algae, lint algae, hair algae, spot algae, fur algae and dust algae. If one speaks of these, then it is always about the genus green algae (Chlorophyta). In this guide and information article, we summarize everything you need to know about detecting the algae in the aquarium and Combating green algae (Chlorophyta) needs to know.
Where do green algae (chlorophyta) come from?
First we would like to take a look at where the algae are noticeable and where they occur. Only a few green algae will be found in salt water, because they are mainly found in fresh water and the plankton associated with it. Nevertheless, there seem to be some subspecies that also spread in the coastal area in the seas.
The literature knows more than 8000 species of green algae, making it the most diverse type of algae. It's a good thing that not all of these are found in our domestic aquariums. Here, the ones listed above are probably the most important. Some aquariums have to struggle with filamentous algae, also known as Cladophora. This type of green algae could be further subdivided, because there are different subspecies of thread algae alone, all of which also have a Latin name. However, this is not necessary to know when identifying and combating them in our aquarium. Anyone who needs more information on this can find it in the relevant literature
Let's take a closer look at each type:
filamentous algae
Filamentous algae are not only found in the aquarium, they are often found in the pond as well. Many of the control measures listed here also apply to thread algae in the pond. Determination of thread algae is quite simple and can be done using just a few pictures. We also refer to our article on determining the types of algae. There are also pictures of the thread algae
Before we get to the fight, a few more things as to why this type of algae occurs at all. Anyone who has set up their aquarium for the first time will usually notice the proliferation of these algae after just a few days. This is actually not bad and completely normal. The plants have not yet grown and therefore consume little nutrients. This excess of nutrients means that algae can spread quickly. After some time, a balance will be reached and thread algae will be reduced.
Another reason that thread algae can spread in an aquarium at all is incorrect water values. The cause here is often an incorrect ratio between Co2 and also magnesium, phosphate or potassium. The ratio of nitrate to nitrite is also crucial here. If there is too little nitrate, the growth of aquatic plants will also stagnate. However, the algae are less affected here and still continue to thrive. More You can also find information on aquarium chemistry in our large guide.
The lighting also plays a major role, especially in newly installed pools. The lighting here is usually too strong and too long. This light then causes the thread algae to spread. At this time, the plants only need little light, since they are not consuming any or only very little nutrients and photosynthesis can only take place to a very limited extent. Therefore, you should also reduce the duration of the light here and go up step by step.
Let’s summarize the reasons for thread algae again:
- Mostly at Setting up an aquarium
- Nutrient balance is not yet in place
- Water parameters don't match yet
- New plants have not yet grown
- Too much light in the initial phase
- Nitrate is usually missing because the nitrogen cycle is not yet working
So what can you do if thread algae form? We also have that in our Combat Advice I've already mentioned a few things, but I want to explain them again.
First you should lighting duration reduce drastically. When setting up again, you should halve it and then go up step by step. A lighting duration of 5 to 6 hours per day and then moving it up every half hour has proven itself here.
If it is an aquarium that has already been run in, the dark treatment may also help. You can find out what's behind it here.
Of course, the mechanical combating of algae must always be mentioned here. Filamentous algae can be removed quite easily. To do this, take a stick, such as the aquarium tongs, and wrap the algae around it. So you can get them out of the tank quickly. Items can also be cleaned here.
Of course, you should also adjust the nutrients accordingly. Above all, play Co2, phosphate, nitrate, magnesium, iron, potassium and other macronutrients play a major role. Here we also want to on ours Advice on fertilizing aquatic plants refer. Each plant species requires a slightly different composition of nutrients, so it makes little sense to assign fixed values.
Perhaps you are now wondering what the aquatic plants have to do with the algae. Only those who have beautiful plants, which above all grow very well, will not have an algae problem in the long run. The nutrients are extracted from the algae. Therefore, the choice of plants also plays an important role in getting rid of thread algae. Above all, you should rely on fast-growing plants.
If the conventional methods are not sufficient, then of course other methods with various chemical additives can also be used here. On the one hand, the addition of hydrogen peroxide should be mentioned here. This can be found in the oxidizers used primarily in the nano range. Pure H2O2 is emitted here, which is said to have a direct effect on the growth of the plants. Likewise, the algae are reduced.
Of course there are plenty on the market too anti-algae (AlgenExit, Easy Carbo, Algenex…) which promise to reduce algae. Many of these promises are also kept. Usually these are dissolved in the aquarium water accordingly. You can also work with a direct nebulization here, by only giving the additives to the affected areas with the help of a syringe. Of course, this only makes sense if not all areas are affected and the thread algae only occur selectively.
Almost everyone Types of Green Algae – Chlorophyta, you can help yourself with certain algae-eating animals. Be it with certain types of snails or shrimp, or with special types of fish. We will present these to you in more detail in a separate article.
Finally, there is also the possibility to get rid of thread algae with new technical devices. Algae control with the Twinstar or the Aquarium Fresher can be successful here. The use of a UV clarifier is also very effective here.
Let's summarize the most important points here Combating filamentous algae together:
- Adjust lighting duration
- Gradual increase in lighting duration
- Mechanical removal of thread algae
- Adjusting Nutrients
- fertilization of aquatic plants
- Use fast-growing plants
- hydrogen peroxide
- oxidizers
- Chemical control of algae
- Direct nebulization
- Use algae-eating animals
- Twinstar for thread algae control
- Aquarium Fresher to combat
- Use of a UV clarifier
fur algae
The appearance of fur algae is quite clear and can usually already be found in the running-in phase of an aquarium. Here a kind of fur forms on furnishings which is green and feels very fluffy. The fur algae also belong to the green algae - chlorophyta and are quite common. Basically, there are only a few differences to thread algae when it comes to combating them. The origin of the algae is also quite clear.
These algae come into their own in the first days and weeks of a new aquarium. Most of the time, these disappear quickly without doing anything. That's why you should be patient here. Light deprivation is particularly effective here and should also be tried before the other methods. Let's summarize the most important control agents and focus here on fur algae. However, this is not to say that other methods can also be effective.
- Wait during the break-in phase
- Nutrient addition according to the planting
- Carry out a dark treatment on older pools
- Use predators like the Amano shrimp
hair algae
The transition between the fur algae, filamentous algae and also hair algae is mostly fluent and we are sure that this is also very difficult to tell apart. Therefore, it is also difficult to express other control measures such as those of the previous fur algae and filamentous algae. Nevertheless, one should have heard the term and know that hair algae are also a subspecies or genus of green algae - chlorophyta.
Basically, we would proceed with the following steps:
- Control of the water values
- Fertilization of the plants according to the identified needs
- Perform a dark cure
- Reduction of the lighting time
- Insertion of fast-growing plants
- Use predators such as shrimp or fish
- Mechanical removal and cleaning
- Use of technical aids (Twinstar, Aqua Fresher or UV clarifier)
- Chemical control
Lint Algae
And one more type of green algae - chlorophyta. Basically, you could also describe this species as the little siblings of the thread algae, because these two species usually look very similar at the beginning or in the area of formation. They usually grow on the leaves of the plants, where they form small threads that look like fluff. Fur algae can also look very similar in the early stages. Here, too, an exact definition is quite difficult and therefore the treatment should be carried out more extensively and more generally.
When it comes to the creation of a new aquarium, you can also focus on the initial phase. In established and older aquariums, the lint algae occurs very rarely. It usually occurs when there is still no balance in the aquarium. Macronutrients are mostly absent or present in excess. Aquatic plants have not yet established themselves and are not yet absorbing these macronutrients. These are probably the most common causes of this green algae - chlorophyta species.
The fight is basically adequate to the ones described above, although you should first prove yourself patient.
- Wait and only then act
- Eating enemies from the beginning in the aquarium create peace here
The other points can be found in the thread or fur algae.
[amazon_link asins=’B00564XTO4,B01HNF84LG,B000H6SQ26′ template=’ProductCarousel‘ store=’aquaristikorg-21′ marketplace=’DE‘ link_id=’ed248e8b-feae-11e7-bf40-1552de5d10e4′]
Floating algae and dust algae
With the last genus of green algae described here - Chlorophyta, we come to the floating algae and dust algae. Both can be distinguished from the other quite simply and easily, because they turn the water green in an advanced stage. This quickly makes an aquarium look more than unsightly. In this context one often reads the word algal bloom. These floating algae do not settle on objects, but are freely dissolved in the aquarium water. Algae spores form here in the water. These floating algae form the phytoplankton, which many animals like to eat. But not crap from our residents in the aquarium.
But how do green algae correspond to chlorophyta? These are often encountered when you have chosen the wrong place when setting up the aquarium and there is direct sunlight in the tank. Then the floating algae quickly develop. Oh, you can often find them in an aquarium with the wrong water parameters. That's why the control should first be the grip on the water values. Droplet tests or strip tests make this possible quickly.
There is a quick and easy remedy here with the use of a UV clarifier, which only costs a few euros and can usually be removed again after a few days. He takes care of the free-floating algae in the aquarium. More water changes can also make sense here. In addition, we have already had success with the dark cure and reduction of the lighting duration. Let's summarize:
- Precise control of the water values
- perform a dark cure
- Reduce lighting duration
- Use UV clarifier
- Choose the right location
Especially as far as the last point is concerned, we want to go back to that Setup guide and planning an aquarium enter. This is where the crucial mistakes are usually made, which can only be corrected later with a great deal of effort.
Then one more sentence. Not all of the green algae control remedies listed above are easy to implement. Many are easy to carry out, while other methods require some knowledge and training. Nevertheless, everyone should be able to take at least a few steps to have a chance of an algae-free aquarium.