How to Get Rid of Aquarium Algae​ | Causes, Different Types, & Algae Eaters

‎ Let's talk about causes & fixes for black beard, hair, diatom, green spot, green water, and blue-green algae.

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WHO WE ARE
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At Aquarium Co-Op, we focus on your aquariums. We specialize in freshwater tropical fish, aquatic plants, and the overall betterment of the freshwater fish keeping hobby. Our goal is to help you with your first pet fish and graduate you to an advanced aquarium hobbyist. If you'd like to take it to the next level, subscribe to Aquarium Co-Op and check out our weekly videos.

Cory McElroy is employed by Aquarium Co-Op LLC. He also owns Aquarium Co-Op LLC. Therefore, all content is sponsored by Aquarium Co-Op.

0:00 - Intro
0:48 - What is Algae
2:18 - Algae is like a weed in a lawn
3:43 - What Causes Algae
5:06 - Cleaning Crew - Snails
8:30 - Cleaning Crew - Suckermouth
10:15 - Cleaning Crew - Shrimp
11:25 - Cleaning Crew - Specialized Eaters
12:30 - Cleaning Crew - Your Fish
13:28 - Cleaning Crew - Tip: Create a gap
14:18 - Brown/ Green Diatom Algae
15:32 - Black Beard/Brush Algae (BBA)
18:20 - Hair Algae
21:27 - Green Spot Algae (GSA)
23:00 - Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) (BGA)
24:30 - Green Water Algae
26:06 - Overall Comments/Tips

#Aquariumcoop #Aquariumfish #Fishtank

[TheASMRlogs]

Just so you know.. Your videos are part of my son's homeschool curriculum. He's building a freshwater ecosystem in his tank; with your (and a few others) help. Thank you for these videos!

[pnwgeek]

Timestamps for reference:

0:01 - Intro
0:48 - What is Algae
2:18 - Algae is like a weed in a lawn
3:43 - What Causes Algae
5:06 - Cleaning Crew - Snails
8:30 - Cleaning Crew - Suckermouth
10:15 - Cleaning Crew - Shrimp
11:25 - Cleaning Crew - Specialized Eaters
12:30 - Cleaning Crew - Your Fish
13:28 - Cleaning Crew - Tip: Create a gap
14:18 - Brown/ Green Diatom Algae
15:32 - Black Beard/Brush Algae (BBA)
18:20 - Hair Algae
21:27 - Green Spot Algae (GSA)
23:00 - Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) (BGA)
24:30 - Green Water Algae
26:06 - Overall Comments/Tips

[AntsCanada]

This was the best algae 101 video I've seen yet! Thank you! So helpful!

[mjsjoiners]

At last.. I've found someone who not only talks sense, but is well worth a sub. 2 thumbs up

[jaystacular]

I adopted a nerite snail today and named him Gary, now keeping his new tankmate Timothy the Betta in much better spirits. Thank you so much for this very informational video! 🐌

[sovrappensiero]

Four years later, this is still the best algae resource on YouTube. I rewatch it from time to time as a refresher.

[chloechloe]

You have to give this guy a huge thumbs up for how he explains so thoroughly problems and how to solve them.

Got to be said no one else online helps aquarists better :0)

[bocskaicsaba]

My experience with algae:
1. Green Spot Algae - not enough phosphates. I had to dose very small amounts of phosphates for a few weeks than stop for months. It will not disappear in the first 2 weeks of treatment, so try not to overdose otherwise you wake up with
2. Hair Algae - too much phosphates (in the case of my type of hair algae). It can take more than a month to get rid of it, so do your water changes patiently.
3. Black Beard Algae - strong light, maybe too much oxygen production during daytime (fluctuation). In the winter the Sun is low and its light hits my aquariums. Near the end of the season I always see BBA.
4. Green Water - strong light that shines for too many hours a day AND/OR too many nutrients. 2 hours of sunshine a day doesn't produce green water in my aquariums. But the same water became green soon after I took it out on the balcony to use it in a Daphnia tank.

[grezeldafrightenstein]

Old video but thanks for the info. Thought i would point out willow branches will clear green water once they grow roots. Just a tree clipping with a few leaves will do it, works everytime

[meikilove]

You are the captain america of the aquatic world. Really appreciate the honesty and VERY informative video!

[Backblast]

Great information on algae Cory. Been in the hobby for 20+ years and your depth of knowledge is impressive. You are proof that you can never stop learning. Thank you for your sincere and common sense approach to this wonderful hobby of ours. God bless you always.

Respectfully,
Carlos A. González.

[bryandelgadillo]

I've been keeping fish for about 2 years but didn't take it serious the first year maybe because I was 16.. My aqua scaping & overall tank health have increased over the course of a year, thanks to all your videos. Thanks a bunch Cory keep up the great content

[SteenfottAquatics]

When i got algae for the first time i did exactly what you said. I stopped dosing ferts, rookie mistake, good info

[RicardoJunqueira]

This playlist is GOLD!!!! Thank you Cory. You've changed my mind in so many topics over the last couple hours.

[LeslieF]

I love this video! I believe I've seen/listened to it hundreds of times. Whenever i have a new issue with my planted tank(s) I find myself referring back to this video. Thank you Cory for taking the time to share this and educate us as well. I truly believe you may have found your calling! ☺️

[di-deebee]

I'm new to keeping fish ... your videos are helping me so much ...thank you your amazing 👏

[cd]

As far as siamese algae eaters go my experience is that keeping 2 of them in a tank (assuming it's big enough, they are very lively and grow somewhat large) will keep them busy enough that they wont bother any other fish. I have 2 now in my 80 gallon with 5 rainbows, glolight tetras, 5 cories, 1 guppy, and 5 pearl danios and the SAEs never bother any of the other fish and they're about 4 inches now. They do grow like weeds mine were about 1 inch when i bought them 3 months ago.

Be wary of buying SAEs from an LFS, alot of stores either don't know the difference or will market something like the Flying Fox as an SAE to drive up the price. Easiest way to tell between a SAE and Flying Fox is too look at the black stripe. The black stripe on a flying fox doesnt extend into the tail, and has much more defined edges, whereas on an SAE the stripe runs through the tail fin and appears more jagged on the top edge. Flying Foxs also have a copper colored stripe above the black lateral stripe but it can be hard to see.

As far as i've read SAEs are the only fish that will eat BBA but you gotta make them hungry.

[ryanpeterson]

There is a product called Chemiclean that I've had success with for treating cyanobacteria. It's advertised as dealing with red cyanobacteria in saltwater tanks but I've used it on the blue-green in freshwater

[hmeraat]

I am new to this hobby and I am learning so much from you. Your teaching is unique and honest. Thank you!

[LifebyBrianAquatics]

Your videos are the only long videos I watch. They have so much good info. Thanks for sharing all your experience, Cory! Liked the vid.