Algae Control Program

Living Oceans

Controlling Nuisance Algae

Algae is a natural part of every marine aquarium, but excessive growth is a sign the ecosystem is out of balance. Rather than simply removing algae, the goal is to restore beneficial bacteria so the aquarium can naturally regain balance.

Our Algae Control Program can be used to treat common nuisance algae, including diatoms, hair algae, cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates, using Dr. Tim's Re-Fresh and Waste-Away. Check the links below to learn more about these products.

Dr Tims Controlling Algae - Algae -Cyano - Dinos | DrTim's Aquatics
Dr Tims Recipes - Recipes | DrTim's Aquatics
Bulk Reef Supply - How to Control Dinoflagellates | Bulk Reef Supply

The Three Keys to Restoring Balance

Throughout the program, three actions work together to bring your aquarium back into balance:

  1. Continuously remove algae by siphoning it out as it appears.
  2. Restore balance with the bacterial dosing program (Re-Fresh and Waste-Away).
  3. Slow nuisance algae growth with a blackout period.

Throughout the entire program, if algae is smothering rocks or corals, gently wave it off by hand or remove it by siphon — smothering causes stress to your livestock.

Which Scenario Applies to You?

Before starting, identify which type of nutrient imbalance is causing your nuisance algae. It can be caused by either excessive nutrients or ultra-low nutrients — the core bacterial program is the same for both, but a few steps differ.

Scenario 1 – Elevated Nutrients (most common): Excess nutrients from waste, uneaten food, or detritus feed nuisance algae such as:

  • Diatoms – a brown, dusty film that coats sand and glass, common in newer aquariums. View example photo
  • Hair algae – thin, green, hair-like strands that form tufts on rock and hardware. View example photo
  • Cyanobacteria – a thick, slimy, red or maroon mat that spreads quickly across sand and rock. View example photo

Follow the standard 14-day program below, including the water change and filter media steps.

Scenario 2 – Low Nutrients (Dinoflagellates): Very low nutrient levels can cause dinoflagellates, which often appear as a strong, brown, patchy film over sand and rock (view example photo). In this scenario, beneficial bacteria don't have enough nutrients to grow and out-compete the dinoflagellates, so the goal is to carefully increase nutrients rather than remove them. If you've diagnosed Scenario 2 – Low Nutrients, the program differs in three ways:

  1. Remove the phosphate remover (white filter media) and leave it out.
  2. Increase feeding to 3 cycles per day (see the Autofeeder video in the Support Hub) until nutrients stabilise between phosphate 0.025–0.1ppm and nitrate 1–50ppm.
  3. Do not perform a water change.

Before You Start

  • Check your clean-up crew is balanced: 1 grazing snail, 2–4 hermit crabs, and 3–6 zombie snails.
  • Check for excessive nutrients: has anything died, or is there a build-up of detritus or waste?
  • Manually remove as much algae and organic waste as possible: siphon detritus, brush algae off rock, and remove dead material.
  • If algae is smothering corals or livestock, gently wave it off by hand.
  • If nutrients are elevated (Scenario 1 – Elevated Nutrients), perform a water change.
  • Confirm your clean-up crew, lighting and water flow are operating correctly.
  • Remove carbon and white GFO phosphate remover before dosing (leave bio media/bio balls in place).

What You'll Need

  • Dr Tim's Re-Fresh
  • Dr Tim's Waste-Away
  • Dr Tim's Waste-Away Time Release Gel
  • Replacement filter media (carbon and phosphate remover)

14-Day Treatment Program

Day 1:

  • Begin a 72–96 hour (3–4 day) blackout: turn the aquarium light off and cover it loosely with a sheet so it can still breathe.
  • Remove carbon and phosphate remover from the filter compartment (leave the bio media/bio balls in place).
  • Manually clean the aquarium.
  • Dose Re-Fresh.

Day 2: Do nothing.

Day 3: Dose Re-Fresh.

Day 4: Do nothing.

Day 5: Dose Waste-Away.

Day 6: Do nothing.

Day 7: Dose Waste-Away.

Day 8: Do nothing.

Day 9: Dose Waste-Away.

Day 10: Do nothing.

Day 11: Dose Waste-Away.

Day 12: Perform a partial water change (Scenario 1 – Elevated Nutrients only; skip this step if treating Scenario 2 – Low Nutrients).

Day 13: Do nothing.

Day 14: Add Waste-Away Time Release Gel. Reintroduce carbon and phosphate remover to the filter media (Scenario 1 – Elevated Nutrients) — or continue withholding phosphate remover if you're still stabilising nutrients (Scenario 2 – Low Nutrients).

Important: If the aquarium becomes cloudy at any stage, stop dosing and allow the water to clear before continuing.

If You've Diagnosed Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria appears as a thick, fast-growing, matting red algae. Start with the program above. If it doesn't resolve the problem, consider a chemical treatment such as ChemiClean, an antibacterial treatment that can help kill off cyanobacteria.

If the Problem Isn't Fully Resolved

Restoring ecosystem balance can take time, and a single round of the program may not fully resolve the issue immediately. If nuisance algae persists after completing the 14-day program, you can repeat the program from Day 1. Most aquariums will fully rebalance after one or two rounds.

The goal is not simply to remove algae, but to restore a healthy, balanced ecosystem that naturally keeps algae under control.

Shop the Products Used in This Program