Preventing algae
Short answer: Algae usually means too much light for the CO₂ and nutrients available; shorten the photoperiod, keep up water changes and add fast-growing plants early.
By Alfa Low, aquascaper. 2nd place, 2019 aquascaping competition (event name to confirm) · 2023 entry (result to confirm).
Details
- Algae is usually an imbalance: too much light for the CO₂ and nutrients available, or poor flow.
- New tanks often get diatoms (brown) and green dust algae. Keep doing water changes, as these usually pass.
- Reduce the photoperiod, clean the filter, and add fast-growing plants early. No product guarantees an algae-free tank.