The Algae Growing In Your Aquarium
Green film on glass, fuzzy black patches, tangled threads, brown dust, or cloudy green water can all point to different types of aquarium imbalance. Match the algae appearance below to understand what may be happening inside the aquarium and what usually helps reduce or manage it.
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Quick Algae Summary
Use this quick reference table to match the algae identified in the hotspot map above with their common causes and first corrective direction before opening the detailed algae cards below.
| Algae Type | Usual Cause | What Usually Happened | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Dust Algae | Light, Nutrients | High light intensity and excess nutrients coating glass surfaces. | Reduce lighting and control fertiliser dosing. |
| Hair Algae | Nutrients, Waste | Excess nutrients with weak plant growth causing long green threads. | Remove algae manually and reduce excess waste. |
| Black Brush Algae (BBA) | Flow, Organics | Poor circulation and trapped organics causing dark fuzzy patches. | Improve flow and clean trapped debris. |
| Blue-Green Algae | Waste, Dead Spots | Organic buildup and low circulation creating slimy sheets. | Increase circulation and vacuum sludge. |
| Brown Diatoms | New Tank, Silicates | Immature filtration causing dusty brown coating. | Maintain regular cleaning and allow tank to mature. |
| Green Spot Algae | Phosphate, Light | Low phosphate causing hard green spots on glass and leaves. | Scrape surfaces and improve nutrient balance. |
| Staghorn Algae | Flow, Waste | Dirty conditions and unstable circulation causing branching growth. | Improve maintenance and circulation. |
| Blanket Weed | Light, Nutrients | Excess lighting and nutrients causing thick algae mats. | Reduce lighting and remove dense growth. |
| Green Water | Light, Nutrients | Free-floating algae bloom turning water cloudy green. | Reduce lighting and use UV steriliser if needed. |
| Fuzz Algae | Nutrients, Weak Plants | Excess nutrients coating slow-growing plants and surfaces. | Improve plant growth and reduce excess feeding. |
Need help with another system? Return to the Care Hub for calculators, filtration guides, and ecosystem support.
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