How to get rid of algae and unwanted snails in a freshwater aquarium

Algae is one of the simplest forms of plant life on this planet. No matter how hard we try, any container of water exposed to light will inevitably attract and grow algae. Every aquarist's toolbox should include a mag-float or other type of algae scraper. However, there are some things we can do to try and control the unwanted growth of algae. Algae needs light, water and nitrates or phosphates to thrive. We are providing the water and light, but we can try to limit the amount of nitrates and phosphates it receives. Phosphates may sneak in through your tap water or fish food and the only way to really remove these are with phosphate removal filter media, by using RO water instead of tap water, or by growing plants and allowing them to outcompete the algae. Nitrates are introduced through fish waste and uneaten fish food. We can attempt to feed our fish less and do more frequent water changes in hopes of keeping our nitrate levels down. Live plants will also consume nitrates and outcompete algae. There are also several types of fish that will consume algae such as otocinclus catfish,plecostomus catfish, and Siamese algae eaters. Let's not forget about freshwater invertebrates with an appetite for algae. Amano shrimp, Nerita snails, and apple snails all help control algae somewhat. If you have tried the things above but are still having trouble with algae, you can try shortening the length of time your aquarium lights are on. Depending on the type of algae, you may also find a UV sterilizer to be useful. These can be plumbed in line with your canister filter or independently using a separate pump. A UV sterilizer will kill free-floating types of algae but not the stubborn types that grown on our rocks and decor. Remember that algae prevention is easierthan algae removal.

Hitchhikers
Luckily in freshwater we don't have as much problem with unwanted hitchhikers finding their way into our aquariums. There is however a type of snail that loves to lay eggs on live plants, and if you happen to purchase live plants for your aquarium you may unknowingly introduce a never-ending population on tiny unwanted snails. Prevention would include bleach dips and salt dips to rid new plants of snail eggs, but quite frankly a few always seem to slip by. There are chemical treatments available that will kill snails and leave your fish unharmed but don't use this method if you have larger welcome snails or ornamental shrimp. There are also fish that you can introduce that have a large appetite for unwanted snails. The clown loach is one fish that I have had great success with wiping out entire populations of snails. Just remember that a clown loach can get quite large and may need to be removed if it out grows your tank. The least recommended treatment would be manual removal, by placing a piece of lettuce in the tank at night, and removing it with the snails still attached in the morning. Obviously this method will not completely rid your aquarium of snails, but it may keep them at bay.