How to Get Rid of Algae in a Fish Tank

A combination of scrubbing and regular water changes will remove algae and help keep it away. Use an aquarium scrubber or scraper to brush it off the sides of the tank, rocks, decorations and artificial plants. Then siphon the algae away with an aquarium vacuum. Change 10 to 15 percent of the water each week by removing it with the aquarium vacuum and replacing it with conditioned water. The water change will keep nitrate levels low, which makes it more difficult for algae to grow.

Algae needs light to grow, and the more light that is available the faster it will grow. Keep the tank out of direct sunlight, moving it to another location or room if necessary. Also, limit the amount of artificial light by turning the tank lamp off whenever possible. If there are live plants that rely on the light, leave it on only as much as necessary to keep the plants healthy and turn it off at night.

Carbon dioxide nourishes algae while oxygen starves it. Limit algae growth and increase the amount of oxygen in the tank by adding power heads, air stones or decorative aerators. These devices work by moving the surface water, which in turn encourages the transfer of oxygen from the surrounding air into the tank. Live plants can also add oxygen to the water while at the same time decreasing the amount of nutrients available to the algae.

Certain fish and aquatic animals feast on the algae in your aquarium. The amount each of these can consume is limited, and it's important to consider the biological load they add in balance with the amount of algae they can remove, but some of these tank creatures are worth their keep. Otocinclus and bristlenose catfish, Siamese and Chinese algae eaters, and plecostomus are all efficient at removing algae. Grazing snails can also keep algae under control.

Commercial chemicals can be used to remove algae, but it's important to know that they can also be harmful to certain fish and live plants. It's generally safer for your tank to use a combination of cleaning, aeration and natural controls to limit algae. Use chemicals sparingly and only when absolutely necessary, such as in the case of a severe algae bloom that cannot be brought under control with other methods.