Algae can disrupt the natural cycles of your tank and make your fish sick. A little algae growth is indicative of a healthy tank, but too much of it means it’s eating up vital nutrients in your aquarium.
However, because algae grow for many different reasons, they can be hard to get rid of. To help you with that problem, here are the best ways to mitigate algae growth in your aquarium, no matter why algae are growing in your tank.
Keep Live Plants
Having live plants in your tank isn’t just great for getting rid of algae—it’s also perfect for making sure the problem doesn’t get out of hand. This is because plants starve out the algae by absorbing most of the nutrients from fish waste, which algae thrive off of. Algae just can’t compete with live plants, so while your plants are growing and absorbing nutrients, this will cause the growth rate of algae to plummet.
Implement a Cleaning Crew
Algae-eating fish, snails, and shrimps are great at cleaning up your tank and keeping it clean. In addition, they’re usually peaceful herbivores that make great tank mates and that breed well, so you won’t have to worry about them fighting for food or territory.
However, you have to be careful when implementing snails in your tank. Snails can quickly breed and multiply, and too many of them will also eat up any live plants you may have, worsening the algae cycle. Therefore, introducing only one or two snails in your tank is best so that your live plants have time to regrow after some light munching.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Changing your water can mitigate algae growth, but it’s often not enough. Regularly testing your water’s phosphate and nitrate levels is best practice. If they’re too high, you’ll know the algae have access to a buffet in your aquarium. This may be because you’re feeding your fish too much, resulting in a lot of phosphate produced from their waste. Either way, it’s the perfect time to monitor your fish’s feeding schedule and use some phosphate-removing chemicals to clean up your tank water.
Now that you know the best ways to mitigate algae growth in your aquarium, you can keep your tank sparkling clean without worrying about algae growth coming back and rearing its ugly head. Plus, you now have an excuse to add new friends to your aquarium!
Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday sit side by side on the calendar, but they feel very different.
One is full of color, music, and celebration. The other is quiet, simple, and reflective.
Together, they form a powerful transition from feasting to fasting, from Carnival to Lent.
Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of February 17, 2026. The first day of fasting will likely fall on February 18. The month will end around March 19, 2026, depending on local moon sightings. These dates may be changed, depending on the country.
A red robin watches a Ramadan family prayer with warmth and wonder.
Ride into the rare Year of the Fire Horse with legends, dragon dances, lucky foods, and a fiery red robin salute to Lunar New Year. The Year of the Fire Horse is one of the most dramatic and culturally charged cycles in the Chinese zodiac. It appears only once every 60 years, and when it does, it ignites stories of passion, rebellion, creativity, and change.
From ancient legends to modern festivals filled with dragon dances and lanterns, the Fire Horse gallops through history
as a symbol of both risk and possibility.
Quick Fire Horse Snapshot:
Rare 60-year cycle • Fiery passion • Bold change • Artistic energy • A time to move, create, and transform.
Fire Horse-inspired lantern art at a Lunar New Year celebration.
As mid-February settles in, Presidents' Day arrives as a welcome pause in the winter season, a moment when
communities across the United States step outdoors for parades, visit historic sites, and reflect on the
leaders who shaped the nation. The holiday blends civic pride with the comfort of a long weekend, creating
a unique mix of celebration, education, and family time.
In 2026, the holiday on February 16th carries added significance as the nation enters its 250th anniversary year,
inspiring expanded programming, special exhibitions, and renewed interest in the country’s founding era.
From record spending to instant downloadable gifts for couples, pets, and families. For late shoppers, these ideas make a great solution for finding meaningful gifts.
Valentine’s Day 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet. Recent retail surveys show
that total Valentine’s spending is expected to reach record levels, with average budgets per
person climbing close to the $200 mark. Consumers aren’t just buying for romantic
partners anymore; they’re also celebrating kids, pets, friends, and themselves.
At the same time, how people express love is changing. Instead of defaulting to last‑minute
flowers and generic chocolates, many are looking for gifts that feel personal, meaningful,
and easy to deliver, especially when they’ve left things a little late. That’s where
downloadable, print‑at‑home, and digital gifts step into the spotlight.