Solutions to algae-eating shrimp

Algae is a common problem in aquariums, and it can be especially frustrating when you have algae-eating shrimp that aren’t doing their job. Algae can quickly take over an aquarium, making it difficult to see your fish and other aquatic life. As countless factors play their part in the growth of algae and ruin the aesthetic and quality of water in the aquarium. 

Resultantly, your spending increase for the maintenance of the aquarium and shrimps or fish. Therefore, this article will be helpful to get to know the factors that lead to the unusual growth of algae and other crucial aspects of algae-eating shrimps like Amano shrimp. So, without wasting any time. Let’s get straight into this. 

Solutions to getting rid of algae growth in an aquarium. 

These factors will help you get rid of algae growth in an aquarium to improve the water quality of the tank and aesthetics. 

• Proper Lighting: Algae thrive in bright light, so reducing the amount of light in the aquarium can help control their growth. If you have a planted aquarium, you should aim for around 8-10 hours of light per day. If you have a non-planted aquarium, you should aim for around 6-8 hours of light per day.  
• Proper Feeding: Overfeeding your fish or shrimp-like Amano shrimp can lead to an excess of nutrients in the water, which can fuel algae growth. Make sure to only feed your fish what they can consume in a couple of minutes and remove any uneaten food from the tank.  
• Water exchange: Continuous water changing can help keep the levels of nutrients and pollutants in the water low, which can reduce algae growth. It is recommended to perform a water change of at least 20-25% once a week.  
• Algae-Eating Animals: Adding other algae-eating animals such as snails or other types of shrimp can help keep the algae population in check. Some popular options include nerite snails, mystery snails, and Amano shrimp.  
• Manual Algae removal: Regularly cleaning the tank and manually removing any visible algae can also help to control algae growth. Make sure to scrub all surfaces, including rocks and live plants.  
• Chemical Treatments: Algae inhibitors or algaecides can be used to control algae growth, but they should be used with caution as they can also harm other aquatic life. Using chemical treatments as a last resort is recommended, after trying other methods first. 
• It is important to note that algae growth is a natural part of an aquarium’s ecosystem, and some algae growth is to be expected. However, if the algae growth becomes excessive, it’s important to take action to control it. Following these solutions can help keep your aquarium healthy and clear, so you can enjoy your algae-eating shrimp and all of the other aquatic life in your tank. 

Factors that lead to the growth of algae in the tank.

Algae growth in an aquarium can occur for a variety of reasons, but some of the most common causes include.  

1. High-intensity lighting: Algae thrive in bright light, so if your aquarium is exposed to high levels of light, it can lead to excessive algae growth.  
2. High levels of nutrients: Algae need certain nutrients to grow, such as nitrates and phosphates. If these levels are too high in the aquarium, it can lead to excessive algae growth. This can happen when overfeeding the fish or not cleaning the tank properly.  
3. Improper water flows: Poor water flow can cause stagnant areas in the aquarium, where algae can grow unchecked.  
4. Inadequate water quality: Algae can also grow in response to poor water quality. If the pH or water temperature is not optimal, or if the water is not properly filtered, it can lead to algae growth. 
5. Lack of competition: If there are not enough other aquatic plants or algae-eating animals in the tank, algae can grow unchecked.

Ingredients kill algae naturally in a fish aquarium. 

These natural ingredients help to kill algae in an aquarium. Select any of them and see the results. 

• Hydrogen peroxide: A solution of hydrogen peroxide can be used to kill algae in the aquarium. The recommended dosage is 3% hydrogen peroxide at a rate of 1 ml per liter of water. 
• Lemon juice: Lemon juice is a natural algaecide and can be used to kill algae in the aquarium. The recommended dosage is 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per gallon of water.  
• Salt: Salt can be used to kill algae in the aquarium. The recommended dosage is 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt per gallon of water.  
• Vinegar: White vinegar can be used to kill algae in the aquarium. The recommended dosage is 1 tablespoon of white vinegar per gallon of water.  
• Garlic juice: Garlic Juice can be used as a natural algaecide, it’s also been known to be a repellent for some types of parasites.

Best color light to lessen the growth of algae in fish tanks. 

The best color light to remove the growth of algae in an aquarium is typically in the blue spectrum. Blue light has a shorter wavelength than other colors and can inhibit the growth of certain types of algae. 

In addition, blue light can also help to bring out the colors of other aquatic life in the tank, making it a popular choice for planted aquariums. It’s important to note that while blue light can help inhibit certain types of algae growth, it is not a solution to excessive algae growth. 

Conclusions:

It’s worth mentioning that the light’s intensity and the lighting schedule’s duration are also important factors. High-intensity light for long periods can cause algae to proliferate. 

As well as, the type of algae that is growing in the aquarium can affect the best color light to use, some algae might be resistant to certain colors. It is always recommended to consult with an expert or consult with a professional in the field of aquatics and aquariums.