Nuisance Algae Control

Without microalgae–phytoplankton, most specifically–our planet could not ecologically function as we know it. Macroalgae too (e.g. kelps) play an enormous role in supporting fisheries, maintaining coastal water quality, etc.
That all being said, there are some bad types of algae. Of course, talk of any organism in Nature as being “bad” requires some sort of clear, objective qualification. One qualifier here could certainly be its negative effect on biodiversity–in cases of uncontrolled population growth. Given that a single turf- or film-forming alga can blanket coral reefs to the exclusion of potentially thousands of other species, they are quite bad indeed.
When we consider that they easily can (and often do) wreak the very same sort of havoc on marine aquaria, the term “nuisance algae” might seem a huge understatement. Let’s face it, these algae are for the majority of aquarists THE single most frustrating aspect of keeping a reef tank. Worst part of this is, you cannot expect to buy any one chemical or piece of equipment and hope to eliminate the problem forever. Rather, you must continuously maintain control over it. You might even have to change your strategy as new types emerge.
In coral reefs (and healthy reef aquaria), these nuisance types of algae are kept in check simply by starvation, as these environments are typically quite oligotrophic (i.e. nutrient-poor). That is, even though plenty of light and carbon dioxide may be available, poor availability of fertilizer (mainly nitrate and phosphate) severely limits their productivity. What little does grow is quickly consumed by herbivores.
In this section, you will learn how to suppress turf- and film-forming algae growth via competing phytoplankton and macroalgae, as well as by removal via clean-up crew animals.