Algae Maintenance
To better understand algae maintenance, try to read about why algae exist and how you can manage it to avoid problems first.
Algae are not really a bad thing, but most aquariums are far better without it.
Nitrate, phosphate, carbon dioxide and dissolved organic matter are substances that accumulate in your saltwater aquarium providing the main source of survival of free floating algae.
Nitrate is the first source of life for algae. We have discussed that nitrate is a by-product of nitrite decomposition in your saltwater aquarium.
Phosphate becomes present in your saltwater when you do water change and excess food that your inhabitant did not accumulate. You cannot avoid phosphate but you can control it.
Carbon dioxide will always be present whether you like it or not! But some sources of it can be avoided.
Then the last component comes from the dissolved organic matter. Installing a protein skimmer will help in algae control.
Excessive amount of these nutrients leads to algae outbreaks in your saltwater aquarium. It also needs light to thrive. There is really no single simple maintenance technique on how you can avoid algae growth.
Related Articles:
Natural Algae Control
Aquarium Algae - How to Control and Prevent It
Controlling Algae Growth
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