| Eradication of encrusting algae could be done | | | | some of the light keeping algae in check. In |
| simply by periodically scraping the sides of the | | | | addition plants absorb a large variety of chemicals |
| aquarium or scrubbing the rocks. | | | | from the water, thereby starving algae of some |
| For those with plastic plants and a completely | | | | of their essential nutrients e.g. nitrates (not |
| white gravel bed, the situation could be more | | | | nitrites). |
| tasking as it would be necessary to bleach the | | | | Surprising as though it may seem, an adequate |
| rocks to remove all traces of algae. | | | | plant stocking level is approximately 50 small |
| However, if you do this, do make sure that you | | | | plants per square root of available space. |
| rinse the gravel thoroughly afterwards. Bleach is | | | | The treatment I mentioned is the use of an |
| highly toxic, and even small amounts can have a | | | | algaecide. I must stress the word "use:" it is very |
| drastic effect on the aquarium fish. | | | | different to "abuse"! |
| Since the primary cause of green algae is too | | | | Yet despite this difference, I know that some |
| much light. The fist step in the treatment schedule | | | | people will still persist in pouring the chemical |
| should be light reduction then partial water | | | | remedy into their aquarium and expect the |
| changes and an adequate stocking with natural | | | | problem to disappear overnight, even though they |
| aquarium plants. A final treatment with an algae | | | | have done absolutely nothing to alter the |
| remedy should ensure that the problem is | | | | conditions in the tank that brought about the |
| eradicated and is at least kept at bay for some | | | | problem in the first place. |
| time. | | | | The conditions I stated above have to be |
| One of the factors mentioned above is the use | | | | adhering to for any lasting effect to occur! Now |
| of natural aquatic plants as a means of algae | | | | that we know how to curb the menace of the |
| control. This is really more effective than many | | | | green algae, in another article I shall discuss it's |
| people think. | | | | ugly "sister" brown algae (the brown encrusting |
| For a start, luxuriant plant growth will filter out | | | | algae whose case is the reverse of green algae). |