Saltwater Aquarium Algae
Algae growth within our saltwater Aquarium is natural, many people preceive algae as bad and will at all costs try and remove it,but some algae is good and can help maintain a balanced aquarium when kept in control.
Over the next few posts we will look at the advantages/disadvantages of algae and the different types out there.
What is Algae?
They are photosynthetic organisms that occur throughout the world from fresh to saltwater regions and cover the world from the north to south pole. The size of algae can be from a single cell organism to a 200ft seaweed and can reproduce at alarming rates.
Algae is bottom of the food chain therefore are important form of organism, they provide oxygen and food for aquatic life and will adopt to all types of water conditions.
In your saltwater aquarium, algae can be found on the surfaceof the water or on the surfaces of the aquarium glass, rocks, gravel, coral, and decorations.
Many are introduced on live rock or coral, but some enter your saltwater aquarium though the water from other aquariums as spores.
The common requirement for algae is light to grow and nutrients like nitrates and phosphates are the fertilizers to survive.
Strong Aquarium lighting and nitrate from the nitrogen cycle let them grow, during this cycle at the start of your aquarium set up the algae will bloom.
But why do a lot of people think that they are a nuisance?
Many aquarium hobbyists believe that their saltwater aquariums must be clean and sterile looking which means it is clean and healthy. They will remove as much as much of it as they can , but if you snorkel or can scuba dive in the oceans you will find theres algae everywhere.
They are important part of the natural coral reef ecosystem. Many of the fish and invertebrates feed on them alone. So learn to promote there growth in your saltwater aquarium, but remove some as a routine to maintain your tank.
When They Get Out of Control
Everyones saltwater aquarium will get over run with algae at one stage, excessive amount consume oxygen during the night and covers live corals and live rock. They clog the saltwater aquarium filtration system and are very unsightly to the eye.
When you experience algae bloom, it is a sign that something is wrong in your aquarium. Remember that they need light and nutrients to survive so check on these factors when they become a nuisance.
- Light
- Nutrients
Try to set your aquarium far from where there is a direct sunlight as this cant be controlled lighting.
Keep natural lighting under control. Keep the aquarium lighting on 10-14 hours for planted aquariums and 6-10 if you only have ornament set ups.
Its favorite nutrient is phosphate. Remove it by using phosphate controlling media for your filtration system.
Another source of nutrients is when you over feed your saltwater fish, corals and other inhabitants you may have in your aquarium. Try reducing to a single feed to control the growth of algae.
Add extra plants to your saltwater aquarium, as these will complete for the light and nutrients of the algae.
Know Your Algae
The following are the ones that you are most likely will encounter:
- Chlorophyta or Green Algae
- Rhodophyta or Red Algae
- Phaeophyta group - Brown Algae
- Diatoms
- A group of bacteria called the Cyanobacteria - Blue-green Algae