How To Kill Staghorn Algae Effectively

Keeping a planted tank is not always easy. In fact, many aquarists find it difficult to solve their issues, and some choose to surrender.

Problems often arise from the aquarists ‘ faults or come surprisingly by themselves. Algae is one of the common problems that frequently attacks aquariums, which could make hobbyists feel stressed.

Many algae types are commonly seen; Staghorn Algae is one example that can have a profound effect if allowed to grow out of control.

A variety of causes might trigger the blooming of these algae. Stay calm if you find some pieces clinging to your tank; there is always a way to eliminate them.

In this article, we will outline what they are and how they appear, then move to how to kill these staghorn algae from your tank and offer other beneficial information.

What Is Staghorn Algae

Staghorn algae (Compsopogon caeruleus) are a red algal species that live in freshwater environments.

They commonly inhabit the rivers and streams and are usually pests in tropical aquariums. These algae are likely easy to identify; their appearance differs from that of other freshwater Rhodophyta genera, such as Hildenbrandia (Red Spot Algae) or Audouinella (Black Beard Algae/BBA).

These algae can survive in various conditions, so they are most easily found in all places except Antarctica. That is why staghorn algae thrive well in aquariums.

So, how do they look in the aquarium? They are filamentous algae species with grayish, bluish, or violet-green colors. Staghorn algae will turn red when it begins to die.

They mainly grow on the surfaces of dense vegetation, such as plant leaves. In other cases, these algae also cling to decorations, rocks, and filter pipes.

Sometimes their appearance is slightly similar to Java moss, but it will be easy to differentiate them.

They tend to resemble a wiry beard when fully grown, confusing the aquarist with genuine black beard algae.

The BBA usually grows dense and bushy, resembling the tightly packed clusters of fur on a makeup brush; that’s why it is also called black brush algae. While the staghorn algae tend to be wiry and sparse, which reminds one of a male deer’s antlers.

Is Staghorn Algae Dangerous?

The answer is ‘’es,’’ but not directly.

Like most types of algae, having a small population is not necessarily a bad thing. They help convert CO2 into O2 during photosynthesis and absorb toxic organic substances, such as fish feces, for their growth.

Even though a tiny population might not be harmful, most aquarium hobbyists do not want them present in their setup, so they find any solution to eliminate them.

It will be a fatal problem if you let them grow out of control. Staghorn algae may grow thicker, covering all surfaces, blocking light from reaching any plants, consuming nutrients in the water, and causing the plants to suffer from nutritional deficiency. Without it, the aquarium plants will die.

Is The Staghorn Algae Dangerous For Fish?

Luckily, these algae are safe for fish and other animals in a tank as long as they do not impact the water quality.

Some organisms, such as algae eaters, enjoy staghorn algae as part of their diet. So you can save a little bit of their primary food. You may like read our relevan articles about aquarium algae:

• Green Dust Algae
• Green Spot Algae
• Green Hair Algae

Common Causes Of Staghorn Algae

One day, your planted tank is very healthy and free from algae; the next day, you see the wiry gray hair attaching to the leaves of the plants. Their presence is like magic.

Actually, many factors contribute to the bloom of staghorn algae. If you could identify the reason that caused your problem, it would be helpful to fix the condition.

At least four potential causes help staghorn algae thrive in your tank:

CO2 Level Is Low

This point is the general cause of almost all types of freshwater aquarium algae, including staghorn algae.

The fluctuating or lower Carbon dioxide content creates the perfect environment for them to spread. This condition is likely caused by the CO2 tube running low, leaks, blockages in certain parts, and other factors.

The Macronutrients Are Not Balanced

An overdose of iron substances in the water can stimulate the staghorn algae to develop. This is usually caused by excessive fertilizer or soil containing a high iron (Fe) content.

A small number of dissolved macronutrients could also cause these algae to invade your tank. Not only for red algae species, some green types such as cladophora, oedogonium and spirogyra also can thrive in this condition.

Too Much Light

Leaving your aquarium LED lamp on too long creates an excellent way to invite the staghorn algae to grow.

They will take this chance to photosynthesize, and if you let them grow, they may take over your tank.

Bad Water Circulation

A dead zone in your aquarium is their favorite place to live. Poor water circulation cannot push the water to flow throughout the entire tank, leaving some areas unsupplied with fresh water.

How To Prevent Staghorn Algae Appearing in Your Tank

Preventing is the right step rather than treating the staghorn algae. Here are a few tips to avoid these algae from invading your aquascape aquarium:

Keeping Some Algae Eaters

Adding a few species that love eating the staghorn algae is an effective method to guard your tank from their invasion.

Otocinclus catfish, royal farlowella, and Amano shrimp can help fight the staghorn algae perfectly, so choose the one you want.

Schedule Regular Maintenance And Water Change

Every planted tank needs maintenance to keep all elements there healthy. Cleaning the filter pipe, removing any organic waste, wiping down the tank glass, changing water, and adding fertilizer regularly help keep your tank in good standing.

Doing all of these will create some distance from the staghorn algae. Do not forget to use the right equipment required for your tank. It is beneficial for stabilizing water quality.

Using A Timed Tank Lamp And Improving Water Circulation

This tip is sound optional; it helps protect your tank from excessive lighting. The utilization of smart aquarium lamp becomes an excellent option. You can set the duration and spectrum you want, making your aquatic plants always get sufficient light to continue photosynthesis.

If you sense that the water circulation is too low, you can change it with a larger canister filter or add a powerhead around the dead spots, as these areas are prone to invasion.

How To Kill Staghorn Algae When Your Tank Gets Infected

It is very hurtful if your tank is affected by the staghorn algae plague. Any red algae species is known to be difficult to remove than green algae types. You need more time and effort to beat them until these algae disappear from your tank.

However, do not feel discouraged; we will share a few helpful tricks on ‘How to Kill Staghorn Algae ” that can help you get rid of them. Here is the list:

Remove Staghorn Algae Manually

The first step is eradicating them manually. Using algae scrubbers that can be purchased online can help decrease the population.

You can also use an old toothbrush to eliminate them; if you can pick up the algae with your hand, do that.

However, this step does not kill all staghorn algae, but it is the best first step against them.

Water Change And Clean Any Objects

If staghorn algae outbreaks are more serious, you can do an extreme water change to 75%. Then, clean any objects in your tank, such as filters and decorations, and even trim the plants if necessary.

Lift any debris and organic waste from the substrate using a siphoning tool; be careful when performing this task. Do not rip the algae apart or let them float in the aquarium.

Using distilled water is recommended over tap water. You can produce it quickly and save more money using RO water kit systems for aquarium use.

Perform A Blackout

This method effectively eliminates almost all freshwater aquarium algae types and is particularly effective against staghorn algae.

The blackout period generally needs three days. Use a thick blanket to cover the aquarium; it must be dark. During this process, the CO2 injection should be turned off. Supply more oxygen; you could install an extra air pump if necessary, and refrain from adding fertilizers.

Give them enough food, but avoid overfeeding if you have some fish. If you keep a shrimp tank, this step may be skipped.

Once the blackout period is over, let your fish adapt to standard conditions by opening up half of your aquarium and leaving it in this state for thirty minutes. After that, remove the blanket and leave for another 30 minutes before switching the light.

Next, clean any equipment contaminated with dead staghorn algae and trim any remaining dead leaves or other leaves that still have algae.

Lastly, we should perform a water change. You can cycle until 50% water for the fish tank, while the shrimptank 10% requires only 10% (shrimp species tend to have serious molting problems when performing a massive water change). Allow for approximately 6-8 hours of lighting duration for the next week.

Note: the blackout method could harm any highlighted aquatic plant types.

CO2 Treatments And Add More Species That Eat the Algae

Increasing the dissolved carbon dioxide helps to eliminate them. It may take several days to get the results; once the staghorn algae begin to die, the crew of the algae eaters with large members will clean the remains.

Use Liquid Carbon And Balance the Nutrients

You can find this easily in aquarium shops or online marketplaces. Fill the syringe with 5 ml of liquid carbon and apply it directly to the staghorn algae clumps once a day until they turn reddish.

We recommended using liquid carbon from Seachem, “Flourish Excel.”It’s a p-rated product, and we also use it to stabilize water parameters and become a lethal weapon against algae.

Use the test kit to test the water parameters and nutrients. If there is an imbalance of substances, fix it soon.

Below is the standard formula that you can use:

• Phosphate: 0.1-1 mg/l
• Nitrate: 10-25 mg/l
• Carbon Dioxide: 20-30 mg/l
• Magnesium: >10 mh/l
• Potassium: 5-10 mg/l

Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment

You have tried all the steps above, but the staghorn algae are still hard to remove. Using hydrogen peroxide is the last resort, although it is not a highly recommended method.

It can harm your plants, shrimps, and fish, so only this treatment for the tank containing many staghorn algae is impossible to treat in any other way.

First, turn off the filter to protect the beneficial bacteria. Enhancing the aeration and switching off the light aims to improve treatment efficiency.

Add 1.5 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) per gallon (4.5 liters) to the water, spread evenly over the water surface, and stir gently. Knowing the tank capacity is essential at this point, so be cautious and avoid making a mistake.

Leave it for around one hour, and wait for the mixture to be thoroughly mixed. Then, switch the filter back on. In the same week, perform a water change and add a beneficial bacterial supplement. It aims to boost their numbers because some populations attached to decorations, substrates, plants, or glass may be lost when hydrogen peroxide is added.

Nowadays, many algae-removal products are specifically designed for use in home aquariums. It is safer for your tank populations and doesn’t require much money to buy one. Most aquarists try this product before using hydrogen peroxide. Would you like to try it?