Algae growth

Question
What could be the possible underlying reasons that algae continues to grow in my tank?  And what solutions should I use to stop it?  

Answer
Dear Dustin,
Because algae needs two major things to thrive in your aquarium---light and nutrients. Controlling both these things is the key to keeping algae at bay, or at least preventing too much of it.

Make sure you aren't allowing your aquarium lights to be on for more than 12 hours a day. Less is even better if you have no live plants. If you do have live plants, be sure to have it no longer than 12 hours. Including a large amount of aquatic plants which compete with algae for food and light. Floating plants should really help also. Hornwort is a very good floating plant that is big nutient absorber and also blocks out light to the algae below. Having plenty of plants and not just a few insures the plants can take a hold rather than the algae getting the upperhand before them.

Now another very effective algae control method is changing water much more frequent. Because excess algae is a sign that the aquarium may be too high in excess organic or nutrient levels, changing water certainly helps above all other methods. Try to change at least 30-50% twice a week--always insuring to make the replacement water equal in temperature to that of your aquarium and that it is properly dechlorinated with a good water conditioner. Remember also that regular scraping and scrubbing the algae off surfaces prevents it from growing too thickly.

With all these methods put into place, algae can easily be controlled if not eliminated. Remember that a moderate amount of green algae is natural, provides a little denitrifying processes, and is an excellent food supplement for your fish. I have seen nearly all aquarium fish nibble on green algae and I feel an completely scrubbed tank devoid of any algae is a bit too unnatural.

You could also add an Ancistrus catfish (also more commonly known as the Bristlenose pleco) these are some of the best algae eaters I have found and there is no worry of them outgrowing your aquarium like their cousin the common pleco. Bristlenoses need supplements to their algae grazing in the form of well-washed vegetables like Zuchinni, peas, and spirulina algae tablets.
A bristlenose pleco would be a wonderful addition to help control your algae overall. But be sure to not neglect the actual causes of the algae that could be potentially harmful to your fish like high nitrates.

I really hope this helps!
Best wishes and Happy fishkeeping!
Karen~