Algae

Algae is the plant-like growth that appears on glass, décor and plants; some is normal and healthy, and an outbreak is usually a sign of too much light or too many nutrients rather than a disease.

The real levers are light (duration and intensity) and nutrients (nitrate and phosphate from feeding and waste). Reducing the photoperiod, feeding less and doing consistent water changes beats scrubbing forever.

A tank that is genuinely balanced grows far less algae; algae-eaters help but cannot fix an underlying imbalance on their own.

← Back to the full glossary