What is the best way to prevent algae build up in an aquarium?

to tell you the truth the only thing that i've stuck to is cleaning it regularly! make sure you do your partial changes every week, and possibly a 50 percent water change every month. i've never had any build up in my freshwater tank. but then again i might also clean it a lot more than most freshwater because i have goldfish... so the ammonia can build up quickly.

now on the other hand my dad has a community tank of 29 gal, and he does not clean his a lot. probably every month and half or two he will do a 50 percent water change... and his tank always seems to have algee.

i know that they make tablets specific to keeping algee under control, but i've never personally used them... so i'm not sure how well they work or if it's even in your best interest to use them.

Algae grows when two conditions are satisfied,Light and nutrients. So, limit the light to 10 hours per 24 and keep the water nutrient poor by frequent water changes and small one time per day feedings. All of the nutrients come from fish food,so keeping the feedings small stops the algae growth before it begins. Two nutrients are provided by the food ,nitrates (or ammonia,or nitrite,depending on how much food is eaten and how much just rots) and phosphates (which are only controlled by water changes). Basically the way to avoid algae is good housekeeping and frugal feedings. You can feed your fish more than once per day,and they will consume most of the food,but they will not benefit from the extra feedings. Fish require much less food than most pet fish are fed.

P.S. Laboratory grade charcoal in the filter system will remove some phosphates,but after the charcoal becomes saturated (after about 30 days) it will release all of the removed phosphates back into the water. I only use charcoal occasionally and scrupulously remove it before 30 days.

Water change, water change, water change! I never have algae but I change a lot of water at least 50% a week. Limiting your lighting can help but I run mine 14hrs a day and have no problem the key is to replace your bulb at least once a year the color spectrum changes as the bulb gets older and will produce more algae. You can try an algae eating fish but if you keep a very Clean tank you will need to supplement with algae wafers.

Use low phosphate foods(non-flake foods since phosphates are often used as preservatives in the flakes), don't overstock, don't overfeed, keep lighting levels down, change your water frequently. Adding a bit of barley also helps keep the algae down, but make sure you have plenty of water circulation to keep the dissolved oxygen levels up.

Personally, I maintain algae because it's such a good natural filter and food for many fish. Plus, if done right it actually has some aesthetic value since it gives the tank a more natural look.

Have some algae eaters, don't position the aquarium too close to sunlight or window, open your light for 10 hours only and not more, change your water regulary, have some fast growing plants. If algae stills appear, use a magnetic algae brush and brush it across the tank. The algae will be brushed off!

Keep your lighting period limited. If you have high light, less than eight hours. Low light which is most common stocked lighting, you can go up to 10 hours without algae. Also quarantine fish. Some fish eat algae and there waste can lead to an algae break out.

Cleaning your aquarium often and not overfeeding fish will also keep algae at bay.

Don't overfeed.

Keep your nitrates under 10 ppm.

Keep your phosphates as close to zero as possible.

Don't overlight your aquarium.

Stay on top of water changes (this will remove nitrates and phosphates).

Don't allow your bulbs to get too old. One year is the standard.

Get three algae eaters. They'll try to keep the tank as clean. you can also buy a filter system for your tank. Test the PH level. Turn the light off during the day, turn it back on before you go to bed at night. Keep it cleaned regularly and bleach the rocks/stones that are in your tank and rinse them off with boiling hot water.

That should do it.

Understock

keep away from sunlight

don't over feed

20% water changes weekly

don't use carbon....

no algae can survive that regiment.

good luck!!!

Dont let too much light for to long get to the aquarium