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How to Kill Red Algae

Red slime algae can ruin your home aquarium by obstructing your view of your fish and aquarium decor. There are several ways to get rid of red slime algae, though the best method is to prevent it from getting in your tank in the first place. Algae needs both light and nutrients to thrive, and you can manipulate both to get rid of most, if not all, of the red algae in your tank.

Things You'll Need

Salt
Soft scrub or bottle brush
Clean empty fishbowl or tank

Instructions

- 1
  Prevent red algae from getting into your tank in the first place by soaking your tank accessories in hot tap water for 30 minutes with 1/4 cup of salt per gallon and then in cool, fresh water for 30 minutes after. If you can, try to scrub everything, including your plants if they're not too delicate, with a soap-free brush to keep from harming your plants. You can quarantine your fish in an empty fish bowl or tank for one week after you buy them, changing the water daily, to let them pass any lingering algae in their digestive systems.
- 2
  Buy red-algae-consuming organisms like blue-legged hermit crabs, Sally Lightfoot crabs, snails, urchins, plecostomus catfish and the Siamese algae eater (Crossocheilus siamensis) to get rid of the algae for you.
- 3
  Keep lights on for no more than 12 hours a day, as too much light can cause red algae to flourish when you don't want them to. If you have a pre-existing problem with algae, empty the tank and fill it with warm salt water. Then leave it in the dark for up to a week. This should kill off remaining algae in the tank, though it will not help algae on the plants, fish or tank accessories.

Animals & Science