Algae is a type of plant that grows in water. It can be found at the bottom of lakes, streams, ponds, and even inside water tanks. Algae growth is usually caused by low light levels, high nutrient levels, or an overabundance of organic matter (such as leaves).
If you have algae growing in your tank, then it’s time to take action and book a water tank cleaning service! These professionals can easily help you with the task, so you don’t have to worry about harmful algae much longer.
However, if hiring one seems to be impossible right now, then don’t worry! This blog post will teach you 3 different ways to eliminate algae from your water tank.
How Do Algae Grow In Water Tanks?
Algae has been one of the most persistent and difficult to eradicate plant types for decades, so it’s important that you know how it gets started in the first place.
Algae is found at the bottom of lakes, streams, ponds as well as inside water tanks. Algae growth usually occurs because of low light levels or high nutrient levels, which causes an overabundance of organic matter such as leaves. If your tank has too many nutrients, then algae will start to grow and fill up any available space on surfaces within a short period of time with harmful consequences!
Failing to remove algae from your water tank affects not only your tank’s appearance but also affects the taste and smell of your water. In addition, accidentally consuming algae can even lead to illness, so it’s important to take care of this problem as soon as possible!
Factors That Can Affect The Growth of Algae
There are several factors that can encourage the growth of algae, and these factors include humidity levels, exposure to sunlight, temperature levels, and excess nutrients.
The humidity level is a concern because it can cause an increase in algae growth due to the water being more saturated with oxygen which allows for greater photosynthesis rates. Exposure to sunlight will also encourage further growth of any existing algae as well as new ones from spores or fragments that attach themselves to aquatic plants and other substrates such as rocks, soil, etc… If you have higher temperatures, then they are going to promote faster plant growth, including algae.
Excess nutrient levels mean there are too many available resources for the algae, so this means if your tank has high nitrogenous compounds like urea or nitrates, phosphorous-containing fertilizers like ammonium phosphate, then these could be causing excessive amounts of algae.
How to Remove Algae in 3 Ways
Algae is indeed bothersome to have in your water tank, but luckily, there are some ways that you can eliminate it for good. Check out below to know more:
Don’t Let Light In Your Water Tanks
As you may already be aware, algae love sunlight! Sunlight is what helps these little plants grow and thrive.
It’s important to keep your water tank dark in order for algae not to grow and thrive as well! If your tank doesn’t have a lid, then make sure the light is kept out of your water tank with a canopy or cover. This will prevent more growths from occurring later on since sunlight is effectively blocked.
Plus, with a good covering for your water tank, you no longer have to worry about debris such as twigs, leaves, and dead bugs coming into your water tank. Unfortunately, these things can also promote the growth of algae, so it’s best to get rid of them as soon as possible!
Use Chemicals To Kill Algae In Your Water Tank
Chemicals are a good way to kill any existing and new algae in your water tank. This is because chemicals can effectively eliminate organic matter that causes overgrowth in your tank, which will then promote fewer algae growth.
There are several different types of chemical treatments that you can use, including sodium hypochlorite or chlorine bleach, copper sulfate, borax powder, hydrogen peroxide, etc. You just need to determine what type would work for you at home before starting treatment with these substances.
Consistent Removal Of Leaves From The Top Surface Of Your Water Tanks
Lastly, it is important to remove leaves from the top surface of your water tank. Leaves are a great source of nutrients that will promote algae growth, so it’s best to keep them out!
You can also stop constant leaves from getting on your tank by regularly trimming tree branches and shrubs that might be close to your water tank.
The Keynotes
We hope that this blog post has helped you learn more about algae growth in water tanks and have given you some great tips on how to get rid of it.
Algae can be a tricky problem for gardeners and homeowners alike, but with the right knowledge and tools at your disposal, there’s no need to worry!
If you want to find out more information about what we do or if you are looking for help removing pesky algae from your own tank, please contact us today.