whats the best way to get rid of algea in a 30 gallon tank?

Answer 1

The best way to rid any tank of algae is to control what causes the algae.

Light and nutrients are the two ingredients that produce algae.

Light: Make sure your tank isn't getting light from a window. Also, aquarium lights are not necessary at all unless you have live plants. Limit lighting to your tank to 4-6 hours per day maximum.

Nutrients: Perform partial water changes of at least 20% per week to dilute the nutrients in your tank. The primary source is nitrate, and you can test your tank water for this using a nitrate kit. 20ppm or less is where you need to be to keep algae under control. If you have problems with this, you should test your tap water, as this can be a source of nitrate.

Use some clean filter floss or an algae sponge/scrubber to clean the tank walls. You can use a clean toothbrush to clean decorations and filter parts in your tank.

Do not use chemicals in your tank to eliminate algae. These are often very harmful to fish, invertabrates and/or plants. Also, do not purchase plecos, snails, shrimp or other "janitors" to control algae. These creatures also produce waste which will contribute to the excess nutrients causing the algae in the first place. Also, these creatures rarely eat all the algae, and once the algae is under control, you will be left tank inhabitants requiring specialized diets and care. Also, some plecos grow to be over a foot long and are not appropriate for your 30 gallon.

The best tank cleaner is you. Limit light, perform partial water changes and monitor the nitrate levels in your tank.

Answer 2

I wouldn't get the algae rid tablets, they can hurt your fish and will kill any plants if you have any.

Reduce the light in the tank, have it on for only 8 hours a day. Also move your tank away from direct sunlight and do regular partial water changes to decrease nitrates in the water.

You can also scrape the glass with a razor blade or credit card to get rid of the algae temprarily. I do this almost weekly to keep the glass clear, even if there isn't that much algae, the tank just looks so much brighter.

Answer 3

Instead of using algaecides which can be harmful to fish, plants, and inverts, you can PREVENT the algae. Limit the light in your tank to 8 hours a day, do 20% water changes twice a week to remove excess nitrate that fuels algae growth, and if you have high phosphate levels, use a phosphate removing resin (phosphate is like algae steriods). This combination will remove three of the algae's necessary nutrients, so all the manual labor you have to do is scrape off the existing algae. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

EDIT: Common Plecostomus can easily reach nearly two feet in length, so a 30 gallon is not an acceptable home for a fully grown Common Pleco... Also, they are often lazy... Bristlenose Plecos are much harder workers, and stay near 4 inches in length.

Answer 4

Go to pet stores and ask about Plecos. They are wonderful fish and will eat your algea.

Answer 5

Scrap the algae out out the tank when you your water changes, for in between the changes i have had great results with tank buddies anti-algae tablets. Also realize the more light on the tanks, the faster the growth.

Answer 6

elbow grease! also, decrease feeding slightly. and lastly, add live plants (from a reputable dealer and with research first) as they will out-compete the algae for nutrients.

Answer 7

k know this will help u it helped my the anser is get algea control at petsmart or somtin algae control is the name it worked for my tank so im sure it will work for u

Answer 8

Buy A LArge Peco Catfish They Love The Stuff If You Get ! I Bet IT Will Disapear

Answer 9

get the algea rid tablets at Petco

Answer 10

"nosoup4u" nailed this one!