Cleaning Algae on Glass Feeds Your Corals

Seeing buildup on the glass doesn’t always mean something’s wrong.

What you’re seeing is encrusting algae, a natural part of how the aquarium ecosystem develops over time.

Most of the time, the magnet cleaner will remove the lighter buildup.

But when it becomes thicker or harder, that’s when it’s time to use the scraper.

As you clean, you might notice algae and bacteria lifting off the glass and moving into the water.

It looks dramatic, but that’s actually a good thing.

Those particles become food for the corals.

Corals don’t just rely on light.

They also filter feed by capturing nutrients and organic matter from the water.

So in a way:

• cleaning the glass removes buildup
• releases nutrients into the water
• creates feeding opportunities for coral
  

That’s why we recommend cleaning the glass around twice a week.

You’re not just keeping the aquarium looking clean, you’re helping support coral health as well.

The same idea applies to the filter chamber.

If you move bio media or replace carbon during maintenance, you might release bacteria back into the system.

You’ll often notice corals responding and opening up.

That’s completely normal.

But don’t overdo it.

Maintenance in the filter chamber should generally only happen during your larger maintenance intervals, around every two to three months with your water changes.

Simple cleaning can do more than you think.

Thanks for watching.