Tips to Remove and Prevent White Algae from Aquarium

Every aquarist has experienced algae growth in their aquarium once in a while. When the conditions are favorable, different types of algae increase in the tank, such as green algae, brown algae, red algae, blue-green algae, and black algae.

In addition to these, there is one more type that may bloom in the tank and cause a fuss. It is white algae, and this article will discuss it. Here, we will provide detailed information about white algae, how and where it comes from, and tips to prevent and remove it from the aquarium.

What is white algae? 

As the name indicates, white algae appear like white fuzz or outgrowth. It is also called white hair algae due to its typical appearance. Even though it is not as popular as other algae, you may need to deal with it once it proliferates in the tank. While brown or black algae becomes noticeable instantly, you may fail to recognize the white algae until it spreads profusely.

Irrespective of the tank type– freshwater or saltwater, white algae can occur in both conditions.

How to recognize white algae in aquariums?

Certain characteristics that can help you distinguish white algae from other types of algae or potential issues in the tank are the following-

• Color- white or light grey
• Texture- fine powdery, fluffy, cottony or fuzzy
• Appearance- film or patches on surfaces
• Location- substrate, decorations, glass
• Growth pattern- in patches or spread across the surfaces

Often, people fail to recognize white algae and confuse it with other potential issues of the aquarium, such as white mold and calcium deposits. While the white mold is more localized, white algae usually spreads across the surface. Likewise, calcium deposits are more solid in texture, whereas white algae is fuzzy and powdery.

In addition, white algae often form a thick and slimy white film that appears like white mildew. This reduces the tank’s overall aesthetic. However, the good news is that white algae doesn’t harm the fish. These organisms do not release harmful toxins, so fish stay safe in their presence.

Still, maintaining hygiene in the aquarium and removing white algae is essential, as its presence may lead to other problems in the tank.

Reasons for white algae bloom in the aquarium.

Several factors can lead to white algae bloom in the fish tank, such as poor water quality, excessive nutrients, high light conditions, inadequate filtration, overcrowding, etc. Let’s discuss these conditions in detail and understand how to overcome them. ‘

1. Poor water quality

Different factors determine the tank’s water quality, among which water pH and excessive nutrients hold the foremost place.

• Excess Nutrients—When you feed your fish excessively, the leftover food disturbs the nutrient balance of the water, leading to white algae proliferation. Nitrate, phosphate, potassium, iron, magnesium, and carbon dioxide collectively affect the quality of water. As white algae love to feed on them, they lead to their profuse growth.
• Water pH—pH is another important factor that affects the growth of white algae. Certain species of this algae thrive when the pH is high. The ideal pH level for an aquarium is between 6.5 and 7.5. So, try to maintain it.

2. Poor water filtration

Good water filtration is the key to a successful aquarium. So, if the water circulation is not appropriate in the tank or the filter seems clogged and dirty, it will affect the water quality. As a result, the growth of algae will bloom. To correct this, you need to ensure the following-

• The filter is working properly and is adequate for the size of the tank
• Filter media is cleaned and replaced regularly so that they work efficiently

3. Lighting

Even though light is essential to aquarium life, too much of it will allow algae to multiply. This is mainly because algae need light to undergo photosynthesis. With excessive light, photosynthesis increases, contributing to their profuse growth. Besides this, the other contributing factors that align with excessive light are-

• Excessive nutrient
• High water temperature
• Altered ecosystem

Therefore, keeping the light hours minimum to 10 to 11 will ensure the white algae will not bloom.

4. Overcrowding

One factor that negatively impacts a tank’s health is overcrowding. When you introduce more fish to a tank than its capacity, they fight for survival. In addition, more fish means more waste products, leading to more ammonia and other nutrients. This nutrient overload fuels the growth of algae.

How to get rid of white algae from aquariums?

Now that the causes behind algae proliferation are clear, we can ascertain how to remove or prevent their growth in the aquarium.

1. Vacuuming the white algae

Due to their slimy texture, the removal of white algae is a tough process. As a result, it becomes difficult to get hold of them. It is when you can use vacuum suction to suck up the slimy white algae. Vacuum them from the substrate and wherever they are visible.

2. Bleach bath

One of the best ways to get rid of algae from the tank is to perform a deep clean. Remove the substrate, plants, décor items, or any other object where you can visibly see the white algae from the aquarium. Now, take substances like bleach or hydrogen peroxide and mix them with a tub full of water.

Take everything you have removed from the tank and dip it in the tub. Let it soak in the water for a good time, then rinse it off with clean water. Then, put it back in the aquarium. This bleach bath is a great way to remove white algae from the tank.

3. Change aquarium water

One of the characteristic features of algae is that they attach themselves to different places such as substrate, décor, rocks, etc. However, many of their spores still float in water before attaching. So, in order to minimize their growth, you can immediately perform a water change of at least 30%. It will remove many spores from the aquarium, preventing algae from multiplying.

4. Add algae-eating organisms into the tank

Many water organisms, including fish and invertebrates, love feeding on algae. Adding them to the aquarium is one feasible way to remove them automatically. However, you need to pick the species according to the type of tank—freshwater or saltwater.

Some of the best options for freshwater aquariums are-

• Nerite snails
• Amano shrimp
• Otocinclus Catfish
• Siamese algae eater
• Twig catfish
• American flag fish
• Barbs

Below are the best options for saltwater aquariums-

• Turbo snails
• Emerald crabs
• Sally lightfoot crabs
• Blennies
• Sea hares

All of these are prolific algae eaters and will keep algae growth limited. Irrespective of which species you plan to add, ensure they are compatible with the species already in your fish tank.

5. Upgrade your filter

While upgrading the filter won’t suck the algae out of the water, it will help get rid of spores of white algae. At the same time, an adequate filter system with the right mechanical and biological filtration will clean the water from substances on which algae feed and bloom. For instance, leftover fish food, plant debris, fish excrement, ammonia, nitrites, and more.

6. Regulate pH level

Unstable pH levels are one of the culprits behind white algae blooms; therefore, adjusting it will help manage the problem. Ensure that the water’s pH stays within the range of 6.5 to 7.5, where white algae find it hard to grow.

7. Lower the amount of light

As already discussed, algae multiply when they get long hours and high intensity of light. Therefore, minimizing the light will cease their growth, preventing further growth.

If algae have spread all over the tank and you wonder how to remove it, block out all the light for many days. When there is no light for several days, the algae will eventually begin to die.

8. Add more plants

You can also add more plants to the aquarium, in addition to algae eaters. This is a good way to remove white algae, as they have enough competitors fighting for nutrients, light, etc. When the plants absorb most of the nutrients for their growth, little will be left for the algae to feed and grow.

Preventing white algae growth in the aquarium

Prevention is the first step to stopping algae growth, and following precautionary measures is better than making efforts to remove algae later. The first preventive measure that you can take is avoiding overfeeding the fish. When you overfeed, either the fish leave the food that accumulates to release chemicals or excrete too much. The same happens when you overcrowd the tank. So, preventing overcrowding will ensure that algae growth won’t happen.

Besides, cleaning the tank after regular intervals and performing regular water changes will help greatly. Make sure you remove every bit of uneaten food particles, fish excreta, and plant debris. The filter should be working properly all the time, and the water flow should be adequate.

Having some algae eaters in the tank and many aquarium plants are also a few ways to prevent their growth.

Conclusion

White algae are not pleasing to the eyes and reduce the tank’s aesthetic. Therefore, you should make efforts to ensure that they do not grow profusely. While they do not directly harm the fish or other tank creatures, they become their competitors and fight for nutrients, light, etc. So, if you want to keep the tank’s ecosystem healthy, maintaining cleanliness and prohibiting the growth of white algae is the right choice.