#hanging by a thread to maintain a healthy work life balance

[becausecosima]

Looking back at the time when I was still a baby gay and was obsessed with Lost Girl (and then obvs Orphan Black) now i’m a full blown adult with two jobs and zero time to make tumblr content anymore but I am still so proud of myself for being here lol. I HOPE FIRST KILL GETS RENEWED FOR THE SAKE OF WORLD PEACE

[helmsguldborg82-blog]

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[hotgirlinahotcar]

* headcanon free-for-all

tagged by: several of you for other things (that are started but still in my drafts...). And with all of y’all already tagged in those too... instead of re-tagging the same people for the same stuff... new thing... tagging: @conviictus / @melioriisms​ | @cunninglinguistx​ | @governingmouse | @governinglion | @nicophaught | and everybody else who wants to | non-rp-blogs: just replace ‘your muse’ with one of your fav chars to write about notes: the following answers are heavily influenced by headcanons {d’oh} and whatnots and are subject to change if we ever actually find out more about Gidge...

♥ is there an article of clothing that means the most to your muse? Yep, several. Nope, not her jackets. All the special shirts and other garments that weren’t initially hers but somehow ended up in her possession for some reason or other... (except for stuff that was just discarded or forgotten at her place that ends up in her closet without having any special meaning to her).

❀ what does your muse’s daily routine look like? Most days Gidge gets up at the asscrack of dawn to go surfing - unless the weather won’t permit it (in which case she either goes back to sleep, wakes up her woman for a different kind of workout or catches up on chores and whatnot instead). After a quick shower she then shows up for work barely on time and spends her day there being her glorious sapphic psychologisty self... then after work there really isn’t much of a routine anymore, it’s more of a day to day thing... either back to the beach, or when stuff is piling up, it’s time for chores/errands/paperwork etc and she does the adulting thing. The nights that are all about her girl and spending time together doing whatever they feel like really are her favs though (especially when those also happen to include beachy-surfy and/or lesbionic stuffs). If she’s single though, she might turn her axe-effect up to 11 and hit some lezzie nests for starters... Just hanging out with friends in general is never a bad idea either. And of course the more or less sporadic lazy and quiet nights in are good for the soul too. Naturally, with a lifestyle like that, there also are the days when she’s just beyond exhausted because all that lack of sleep for various reasons caught up with her and she just goes to bed early to recharge properly.

◎ does your muse plan for the long-term or short-term? Both. Realistic goals and all that. Of course she’s only human though, so while she may have the sapphic psychologist skills professional knowledge beneficial to maintaining a healthy balance in general, advice is always easier given than taken. In consideration of that, in most matters, she not only encourages clients and friends alike but also tries to live by it herself. On the flip side of that, nothing wrong with indulging in occasional crazyass notions either. Even the wildest dreams come true for some people after all... In advice-mode she’d also insist on cautioning against actually expecting the more unrealistic stuff to happen though. Cause that kind of thinking has the potential of providing the ideal environment to the birth of delusions.

◆ what is one secret your muse has? Her girlfriend Franky is probably the biggest one... and the canon one... other than that, in verses where she did the pro-surfing circuit thing, it’s not so much of a secret as a part of her life that she just doesn’t share with people at work... with the long lost kid trope, there’d be that... then I have plenty of ideas about the reasons why she got into psychology in the first place... like being forced to go to a mental institution/straight camp when she was a teenager... as in shit was done to her there by the people who were supposed to help her and it becomes her calling to provide therapy done the right way and save people from suffering the likes of what she had to endure... lotsa stuff along those lines. And then there’s the ever classic infinite roulette game of insanity: ‘paid for college (or whatever) by being/got rich by being/gets off on being/leads a double life as/is undercover as/used to be/is mistaken for/pretends to be/wants to be/is forced to be/is being lured into becoming/is basically the same person {cause you’re playing the same muse - a stripper/porn star/lingerie & nude model/hooker/high class escort/assassin for hire/notorious thief/criminal in general/heir to a famous crime family/rockstar/other type of celebrity/is married to/divorced from/related to (somebody rich and famous)/vampire/mermaid/witch/werewolf/alien/ghost/superhero/immortal/time traveler/pirate/ninja/dinosaur/rocket ship/shark toast/swirly whirly junglepants/several or all of the above/is basically the same person {cause you’re playing the same muse - and somebody knows/finds out/stumbles over the intel/gets dragged into it/starts investigating by looking into something unrelated/gets an (anonymous) tip/comes from that world too (and is either keeping the same secret or the complete opposite, is well known for it/comes from another but equal/similar/conflicting/antagonistic situation/is basically the same person {cause you’re playing the same muse}’ {you get the point, these could all go on forever and range from slightly canon-divergent to the crackyassest bloody shit you could ever imagine... Now, I’m not saying I could imagine Gidge in any and all kinds of scenarios, but I’m never not up for at least spitballing, no matter how cracky and insane it might seem.} {Back to the serious side though, I love the whole secret thing so much, so there’s gazillions of headcanons/ideas that I have, but not too many that I’d just ascribe to Gidget in general, so it really depends on the thread.}

ϟ who means the most to your muse? why? Her girl. She’s the love of her life and the world wouldn’t make sense without her in it. And while Bridget had a life before her, since she met Franky/Lorraine/*insert your muse’s name if you wish*, she can’t imagine ever going back to that because she doesn’t even remember what she was living for before she experienced the love they have for each other. 

☛ what is your muse’s biggest regret? {I’m gonna leave this basically open for now because I think that would heavily depend on plot and thread and whatnot.} For example, if she did have a kid that she lost somehow, obvi it’d be that... but ‘kids are gross’ versions of her never even would’ve had said child and thus would have entirely different biggest regrets... ex pro-surfer Gidge might forever mourn the loss of that career and might not ever stop resenting whatever ended it... {so yeah, options, options, options... with variations... and alternatives... so just scroll back up to that roulette wheel and we’ll leave it at that until something specific comes along.}

❥ is your muse cool? She thinks she is anyway... XD Nah, she’s chill, but she def has that adorkable side too. Especially when she’s actively trying to be cool... like that ‘I’m not a screw’ scene... {Sorry babe, but your inner Elsa had her gloves on there...}

✯ which three traits define your muse? {Actually... lemme change this one a bit... you can do either version, whatever you prefer.} to be answered at some point in the not so distant future {So I just realized this is just gonna make this post a lot longer and doesn’t even quite fit in with the headcanon thing anymore anyway and can easily be a whole other tag thing by itself...}

♕ would your muse hug a monster? *smiles at @governinglion​ with wide open arms* {PS: Dude, we really should start talking about starting something... I even have a couple of ideas I’ve been meaning to shoot at ya but haven’t yet cause my ADD is playing fucking pinball with me atm...}

❣ is your muse a fighter or a lover? What’s with the ‘or’? It’s entirely possible to be both at the same time... Just sayin... So yeah, definitely both. Particularly so when the lover brings out the fighter. (That goes for kinkyass passion-motivated activities as well as the ‘my love for you will make me fight to the death and I ain’t letting nothing and no one get in my way’ thing.) 

✎ what does life mean to your muse? Biologically, she’s pro-choice. Philosophically... okay, yeah, nope... not gonna go there. To answer in some profound yet vague and still revealing way I’d have to write a fucking epos. So I’ll pass. Your call whether you wanna ponder the meaning of life or disregard this one too.

Disclaimer: Actually this was a meme before I misappropriated it for this. So all credit for the questions goes to whoever wrote them originally. @vhsmeme I think... I hope you don’t mind that I turned it into a tag thing instead. By the time I realized I should’ve fucking asked you first, I had already written most of the replies... so...

But yeah, not cool to just assume it’d be okay, and I acknowledge that. Sorry!-ish. In my defense tho... there’s a hugeass ‘free-for-all’ right there in the title... I just realized that... XD

[gyongyiphotoarts]

Project evaluation

The title ‘How To Get Most Out of the Elliptical Machine | How to work Out at the Gym’ came around from an upbeat incident. I have been working on a totally different kind of project beforehand. I was taking photos of my own body, while trying to find beauty the forms and shapes, creating a narrative that I am looking for a Road the self-discovery, sequencing the photos for aesthetic vision and sewing the actual ‘map’ on the prints with threads and needle. Unfortunately this project have stranded, as I was not ready for this kind of confrontation with myself. This is an ongoing problem I have developed long time ago, but I have really thought that I am in a better state of mind and I can accept my flaws and create a self-therapeutic project out of it. But after a realisation that mentally I am not ready for this, I have decided to look at another aspect of this insecurity of mine. I have developed a bad habit over the last couple of years now actually - it all started with me taking motivation and knowledge from various Youtube videos, to educate myself in the world of healthy eating, habits, and working out. These videos have kept me motivated but at the same time de-motivated - watching highly competent people talking about loosing weight and how to balance a healthy lifestyle made me more conscious about how I look like, what I am representing as a young female with some extra weight on, and of course it shaped my subconscious in a poisonous way - how should I look like, what should I do in order to loose weight, to look lean and strong, how others might see when they look at me ( just a body or my whole self? )  - but what I see in the mirror is totally different, and I couldn’t help myself to judge and punish myself for how I look like. This project is showing the general fitness vlogger’s community online imagery one is exposed to - these kind of imagery have been circulating in my mind, making me unsure about my eating habits and body-image. It is to point out, that this world exists, and can cause serious harms to people sensitive to these subject. Needles to say, that these videos have an addictive quality - the Youtube algorithm can see what kind of videos the person have previously watched, and generates video suggestions for the future. New videos are ‘autoplayed’ on the online platform with similar content, an it often feels like like this autoplay feature have been ‘installed’ in my own mind as well.

The initial research I have conducted have only supported my aesthetic vision, which didn’t help me out with developing my initial idea. Even though I have been developing my lighting  skills in the studio, for the end result I have only been using a simple technique of using found imagery, well, ‘appropriating’ stills from videos. It  was an interesting process, as I have never used other people’s images for my own purpose before. My initial research have actually started long time ago - I have found images in my phone’s gallery, snaps from these videos,  great ‘advice’ or workout technique screengrabs, for when I head to the gym. This ‘diary’ is in my archives already - the only thing I had to do upon collecting the screenshots for the project is just to check back my browser history to start the ‘hunt’.

I had the liberty of creating a self-reflective narrative out of this project, and even thought it came from a concrete idea, I had a lot of images to play around, over 150 start of with. Once I have printed and laid all of them out in front of me, seeing them as physical copies, I was able to do the editing, which was long and painful. Naively I thought that I would be able to scram all the photos into one book, but I had to come to the realisation that it’s an impossible task - specially with the time left to until the deadline. Once I had the initial sequencing, I was able to sit down and open them up in Indesign. It took me a while to get the hang of the software, and of course, it was a different editing process as well once I started to place the screen grabs in the virtual format of the booklet. The editing process took its toll on me, but I have been introduced to many great photobooks over the last few months to help me out, like Sultan and Mandel’s Evidence; I have been doing a lot of research on Masahisa Fukase’s Raven’s series (for my dissertation proposal), which have been published in 8 segments in different magazine publications; and I have conducted research on Lorenzo Vitulli’s Dalston Anatomy in an earlier this phase of this module, which gave me a great inspiration for the layout of the prints of the final booklet. We have been encouraged to do editing / sequencing exercises during the module too, so having that experience in mind I felt confident in finishing the book in time. However, I feel like I should have utilise all the research and workshops we have been attending during the course of the module.

I feel like the orientation of the book has been given from the very start - I definitely wanted to keep the landscape format of the videos, and having an A5 format which fits in one’s hand perfectly was an obvious decision. I have got the book printed from an outside printer, from ExWhyZed, as I felt like due to the upcoming deadlines and shortage of time I will not be able to deliver a well maintained and crafted result. I am overall satisfied with the product, only I have started to wonder how the result would have look in A4 size in portrait format when I have received the prints - I did not give enough time for myself to make mistakes and experiment with different formats, paper stocks and paper printing terms, which is a shame, as I grew fond of this project at the end.  I feel like the given narrative shows my insecurity about myself, and due to the burden of my thoughts how I have started to un-socialise in real life, and started to live life online, and follow these daily vlogs and other people’s life on social media. I have always been a ‘fan-girl’, as it started in my high-school years - idealising people from the distance, it has been always a great way of escapism for me. Realising that I am still not able to control my emotions over my body image was extremely though, but by abstracting the viewers attention I hope I am able to convey this piece of qualm I have been carrying with my self for a long while. I think the end result has a whimsical element to it as well - I did not want to create a heavily digestible piece. At the end, I have managed to create a small case for the zine, made out of mirrored cardboard, to point out on my obsession with the mirror. I feel like is a nice touch, but I am not sure what kind of conclusion the viewer would get from it - I feel like a supporting statement would be essential in order to make this intention clear for the audience.

[muscledemandsrespect]

WELLNESS ESCAPE TO THE WESTIN MALDIVES MIRIANDHOO

I recently returned from 9 days in planet Earth’s most rapturous dreamland – the Maldives. I’ve been fortunate to visit this heaven on prior occasions, and I am struck by how its luminous beauty never dulls; on this trip, I visited the wonderful Westin Maldives Mirandhoo, a jewel in the crown of the Westin  Hotels and Resorts group. I’ve worked with Westin for many years as their Wellbeing Movement ambassador and I’ve experienced several of their properties around the world; as such, I know the wellness ethos that pervades every detail of this hotel group well, and it’s one that I feel passionately about infusing into every trip I take. Whilst I was hosted at the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo (henceforth WMM), I experienced the purest expression of their Wellbeing philosophy, free from the restrictions and confines imposed by a bustling cityscape, and instead, able to indulge in the secluded tranquillity of island life. Picture-perfect postcard-style, powdery-soft sandy beaches, mesmeric sunsets, the freshest seafood and perfect temperatures, all render it an unsurprising top honeymoon destination; for me, after only a few days, I recovered the hitherto lost sensation of feeling recharged, relaxed and renewed. Thereafter, the ensuing week of pure revival left me ready to take on 2020 with gusto! Click MORE to see and read about my experience of this nirvana…

For your ease of consumption, this review will be laid out in alignment with the 6 key pillars of the Westin Wellbeing Movement, so as follows; 1) Feel Well, 2) Move Well, 3) Eat Well, 4) Sleep Wel­­­­­­l 5) Play Well and 6) Work Well.

1) THE SPA COMPLEX – ‘FEEL WELL’

Part of any wellness escape necessarily includes the opportunity to check-in with one’s own physical and mental wellbeing, and to focus on nourishing self-recovery. I maintain that there is no better way to do this than to dedicate an hour or two to literally doing nothing. Switching off fully, detaching the consciousness from worldly concerns, and letting the body and mind relax is something I can only really achieve at a tranquil spa, and this heavenly facility excels at exactly that.

As you wander over the bridge you uncover ‘The Heavenly Spa’ elegantly perched on the apex of the island, surveying the vast turquoise expanse beyond. A dramatic yet soothing view awaits you inside, and the placid silence is only punctuated by the sounds of the waves meeting the coral reef outside.

There are countless treatments on offer. If you get a massage you could, of course, close your eyes and fall asleep or keep them open to watch the fish swim below through the glass floor. Personally, as a trained sports masseuse, my preference is always a deeper massage to really iron out any knots and muscular imbalances.

  The Feel Well credentials extend beyond the spa, and pervade the entire island, and are fed by the ensuing 4 pillars.

2) THE FITNESS CENTER – ‘MOVE WELL’

Upon check-in, you’re offered a running session with the in-house trainer as part of Westin’s ‘Run Concierge’ concept. Bright and early on the first morning, we circumnavigated the c.2km island a number of times whilst the Maldivian sunrise bathed the island in crepuscular radiance. The run, at this early stage of the trip, is a great way to see the island, establish your grasp of the spatial geography and learn the layout, as well as burn some calories early to set up a full and fresh day ahead.

Fitness apparel from the beautiful Silou London (https://siloulondon.com/)

No training kit with you? Not a problem, as WMM will lend you a fresh set of workout clothes so nothing can stand in your way. One thing I especially like about Westin properties is that they engage in this ‘Gear Lending’ program so that every guest can hire fresh New Balance branded kit, including fresh sneakers, for no more than 5 USD, and in some properties (including this one), at no cost at all. This means you can pack light, and fitness activities are accessible to all guests, even if it wasn’t a core reason for which you booked the holiday.

The gym complex itself is absolutely gorgeous, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the beach and ocean outside, raised a level up. That’s rare in the Maldives, as most buildings are at sea level, but this glistening panopticon gives you a glorious perspective of the ocean and broader island. Kit-wise, you’ll find an ample array including TRX, kettlebells, treadmills, rowers, ellipticals, cable machines, dumbbells and much more as well as an in-house trainer to guide you should you need some help or motivation. This was a very easy gym in which to have a workout, meaning there was one fewer reason not to get involved.

I started the second morning with the glorious sunrise yoga session. It was just what my body needed. After ten long hours of sitting on a plane, my body was so tight, and even a gentle yoga session was a struggle, but I enjoyed so much relief afterwards. This is part of my compulsory routine (where possible) anytime I travel and is a given at this Westin too.

3) THE RESTAURANTS – ‘EAT WELL’

The Westin group has a nutritionist-led partnership with SuperFoodsRx and has created a nutritionally balanced, super healthy menu for all their hotels, complemented by a suite of revitalising juices curated by The Juicery. At WMM, the Executive Chef has overlaid this template with local Maldivian flavours, to reflect what can be locally sourced, and what makes up the mainstay of the local style; I had the pleasure of a cookery class to make a Maldivian Tuna Curry dish to sample this style and was enamoured with it (recipe to follow shortly!). This made it very easy to order from the regular menu throughout the whole stay without having to ask the chef to alter any dishes to make it healthier. There are 5 key ports of call to cover off when it comes to food;

ISLAND KITCHEN

This was my preferred restaurant on the island. It’s set within a vast, bright and airy space overlooking the hotel’s infinity pool and ocean beyond, with cavernous triple-height ceilings, and a satisfying aspect. It gives you the option to sit indoors or out, without feeling as though you’re having to make a choice between either. On the menu, you’ll find the ‘Eat well’ options which consist of fresh ‘catch of the day’ (often the likes of Maldivian yellowfin tuna/barramundi/reef fish), as well as superfood salads and filling soups to name but a few. There is a wide choice here, which helps to keep things interesting throughout the holiday, meaning you don’t suffer the ‘menu fatigue’ often experienced on captive island settings.

HAWKER

This is a smaller, more intimate beach restaurant where you can watch the chefs create each dish in the ‘live kitchen’. There’s something impossibly relaxing about sitting barefoot with your feet basking in the powdery sand whilst tucking into your locally-sourced fresh fish dish. Flavours are spicier than Island Kitchen, with more shellfish on offer here.

THE PEARL

I was lucky enough to be at the WMM on the same day as a vast yellowfin tuna had been caught and was being prepared to be part-eaten, and part-frozen given the hulking size of the thing! Without doubt, it was the freshest, most delicious tuna I’ve ever had, with just a lick of soy sauce to render it a savoury masterpiece.

The Pearl itself is the centrepiece restaurant on the island and allows you to enjoy your meal either outside on the open-air deck, or inside. It’s a tribute to the great Japanese restaurants of London but with the characteristic fresh ingredients of the local fishermen.

SUNSET BAR

This generous veranda projecting out over the reception, one level up, is part of the play space, where you can shoot some pool, enjoy board games or just hang out. It’s a lovely place to mingle with other guests should you prefer to socialise – or simply grab a drink and watch the explosions of colours over the Indian Ocean. It also doubles as a cosy night-time rain shelter for when an evening monsoonal interlude decides to unfold at full-pelt!

THE BREAKFAST BUFFET

This is the mainstay of an indulgent hotel experience; there’s a vast array of choices here catering for a suite of cuisines – Chinese, Japanese, French and many more. My preferred choice is a classic omelette and one of the freshly squeezed juices on offer, as well as some of the exotic local fruit, but that covers around 2% of the available offering! The breakfast venue is physically based in the wonderful space of the Island Kitchen, so there’s a fresh feel blowing through the whole breakfast experience.

4) THE ROOMS – ‘SLEEP WELL’

The beach villas (my chosen form of accommodation, as I quite like solid ground underfoot!) are spacious, minimally appointed in a fashion which promotes cognitive ease, and are all sea-facing. They each have their own little private slice of beach and of course, their own private pool. Depending on the orientation of your villa, you’ll either enjoy stunning sunrise to wake you in the morning or a sunset masterpiece to send you to sleep.

For any regular readers of FitnessOnToast, you might think I’m slightly obsessed with sleep… That would be accurate. And why not?! We spend a full 1/3 of our lives sleeping so it’s important to nail it. Sleep helps enhance muscle recovery, restores & maintains mental alertness, dissipates neurotoxin build-up which accumulates during wakefulness, releases Human Growth Hormone so you can recovery among many other things, so it’s worth investing in. After a few fairly stressful months in London, I hadn’t realised how stressed and tired I was until I arrived in the Maldives. After a few nights of tranquil sleep in the Westin Heavenly Bed (a global standard at these hotels, and essentially a vast chasm of mattress, perfectly supported and enrobed in blissful 250-thread-count sateen sheets), I felt human once more. The addition of a special sleep-well menu which promotes rest is a lovely touch.

5) THE ACTIVITIES – ‘PLAY WELL’

There is a popular misconception that an island escape is synonymous with ‘activity poverty’; quite the opposite. There are countless activities to be ticked off here, many of which hail from the well-equipped Dive Center on the island! I’ll list just a few of note…

Snorkelling – the Mirandhoo reefs offer some exceptional viewing – you’ll find clown triggerfish, powder-blue surgeonfish, I spotted manta rays and countless other species. You can snorkel just off your private beach any time, and there are island villa reef tours or excursions to reefs nearby organised through the hotel.

Dolphin watching – as you can imagine there’s no guarantee that you’ll spot a dolphin since this is after all their home ad they could be anywhere in the Indian Ocean. But the staff know their whereabouts surprisingly well, so sightings are common. The dolphins will swim very close to the boats whilst driving, such that you’re almost a bit scared they might hit the hull – but it’s perfectly safe!

Tennis – there’s a large tennis court which you can book at any time for a game. It also doubles as a football pitch in case you want to get involved in any of the staff matches!

Cookery classes – The island is staffed by locals, which means that there is a wealth of culinary knowledge indigenous to this part of the world. That is an exceptional opportunity to get under the skin of the Maldivian fare so that you return home not only with a sense of restfulness but also with an additional string to your gourmet bow!

6) WORK WELL

Amidst such isolation, one might not expect such a fully equipped business center with super-fast wifi, a comfy ergonomic chair and all the chargers you’ll need, but there are in fact several of these hidden around the island. They host corporate escapes and offsites and have a number of conference rooms with presentation facilities. Whilst this wasn’t relevant for my holiday, I appreciated the subtle presence of the facility. I did make regular use of the super-fast wifi though, for all manners of Instagramming, as well as Netflix streaming on a couple of slightly guilty occasions!

CONCLUSION

My 9 days here were transformative. I sampled almost everything there was to experience and drank deeply from the restorative elixir which flows from such beautiful island life. If you’re already familiar with the Westin proposition, this will be your nirvana. If you’ve never sampled it before, this is the ideal place to induct yourself. Their formula contains key threads which run through all of their properties, so I always have the sense of returning to something comfortingly familiar, yet different enough each time so as not to feel like a bereft carbon copy. Whether or not you’re new to this, there is the certainty that the exquisite weather (even the rainstorms blow over within 30 minutes), cuisine, facilities and vistas will leave a permanent impression on your holiday history. Whilst it was not my first visit to the Maldives, it was no less special and left me with a valued sense of calm and peace which has guided me through the start of 2020.

These gorgeous glasses with gold chain from NeonHope (https://www.neonhope.com/)

The post WELLNESS ESCAPE TO THE WESTIN MALDIVES MIRIANDHOO appeared first on Fitness on Toast.

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[thehowtostuff-blog]

Aquarium algae isn't a pretty sight, but it's something that every aquarium owner is going to face eventually. Luckily, decreasing algae naturally can be accomplished by healthy tank care procedures such as water testing, the addition of plants and sea life, and regular cleaning and water swapping. Once you know how to combat algae growth and keep your tank maintained, you'll have no trouble keeping the many colors of algae at bay.

EditSteps

EditCombating Algae Growth

Determine the different colors of algae in your tank. Different kinds of algae thrive in different aquarium conditions. Look in your tank for the 4 main types of algae—blue-green, red, brown, and green—and rank them from most prevalent to least prevalent. From here, focus most on the procedures that work on the most prevalent algae in your tank.[1]

Blue-green algae thrive in general poor water conditions. They develop on your fish, which will eventually start to look moldy—especially when they're motionless.

Red algae are caused by a lack of carbon dioxide and hang all over your aquarium in threads.

Brown algae thrive in conditions with a lack of adequate light and form in large, brown layers.

Green algae are caused by too much light and can make your aquarium look like pea soup.

Boost carbon dioxide levels in your aquarium to starve red algae. Oxygen works to starve algae, which prevents them from growing. Invest in aeration devices such as airstones, bubble disks, and air pumps. This will boost carbon dioxide levels and even add give your fish some fun items to play with.[2]

Purchase carbon dioxide boosters from pet stores and online suppliers.

Decrease excess food to remove algae nutrition for blue-green and brown algae. Although fish need food to survive, too much leads to high ammonia and phosphate levels in your tank. The end result is often increased algae growth. Always stick to small portions of food that your fish can eat quickly to keep your tank clean and maintain a steady, effective feeding schedule. Ideally, you should feed your fish 1 to 2 times daily with minimal portions.[3]

Take note of leftover foods—if you see any, decrease the size of the next batch of food.

Use an automatic feeder to ensure timely feeding and prevent overfeeding.

Add live plants to your aquarium to decrease brown and green algae. Live plants provide algae with resource competition and inhibit their growth. Over time, they starve algae by consuming excess nutrients in the water that are needed for algae survival. Start by adding 1 or 2 and increase the amount if necessary.[4]

Use Java Moss, Amazon Sword, Java Fern, Hornwort, Dwarf Lilies, Water Wisteria, and Crypt Wendtii for the best results.

Keep an eye on algae levels after adding plants to gauge their effect. If algae levels aren't changing, add more plants!

Be aware that some plants do not do well with high powered filters. Find a balance between filtration, your fish species, and the type of plants that they can be housed with.

Decrease your tank's light exposure to prevent green algae growth. Keep the aquarium away from unshaded windows and only turn the aquarium lights on when viewing your fish. This will decrease green algae levels tremendously. In addition, always keep your tank out of direct sunlight for the best results. If you need to put your aquarium near a window, install some curtains so you can control the light exposure of your aquarium. In general, about 8 to 12 hours of light per day is ideal for aquariums with plants.[5]

Decrease your aquarium's light exposure to 6 to 10 hours a day if it doesn't have plants.

Connect your lights to automatic timers to control light exposure.

If decreasing light exposure isn't working, trying decreasing the intensity of your lights.

Change your light bulbs at least once a year.

Introduce algae-eating fish, shrimp, and snails into your aquarium. The catfish, bushy-nosed pleco, and Siamese algae eater are common algae-eating fish. For shrimp, stick with Amano Shrimp and Red Cherry Shrimp. Any freshwater snail will likely be effective.[6]

Nerite snails, Mystery Snails, Ivory Snails, and Gold Inca Snails are all great choices.

In terms of fish for saltwater tanks, angelfish, blennies or tangs are great choices.

Don't rely solely on algae-eating species to control your problem.

Keep phosphate levels below 0.05 ppm. Higher phosphate levels can lead to algae proliferation. Purchase a test kit for phosphate from a local aquarium. Now, fill the tube to the required level and add your testing solution. Shake the tube and match the water color to the provided chart to determine the phosphate levels.[7]

Add poly filters or a carbon-phosphate remover to the tank to decrease phosphate levels.

Maintain nitrate levels between 20 and 40 ppm. The presence of nitrate can help algae grow. Head to a local aquarium and purchase a nitrate testing kit. Now, fill the test tube to the indicated level, add your testing solution, and shake the tube. Match the color of the water to the testing kit's chart to determine nitrate levels.[8]

Change water weekly to keep nitrate levels low.

EditFollowing Proper Maintenance Procedures

Swap at least 10 percent of your water daily until the algae are gone. Use a bucket to remove 10 percent of the water daily. Either remove the water manually or use it with a siphon if you want to minimize heavy lifting. After removing 10 percent of the water, fill the tank up with filtered water.[9]

If you're adding cold water, make sure the temperature is acceptable for the species of fish in your tank.

Use a water conditioner when swapping water.

A 10 percent daily swap means you should be switching your water completely every 10 weeks.

Do not swap more than 20 percent of the aquarium water daily.

For saltwater tanks, add ½ cup (118 grams) of sea salt per of water and mix it thoroughly.

Fill your tank with filtered water. Although well water and tap water can work for some freshwater tanks, your safest bet is filtered water. The former options typically contain high levels of nitrates and phosphates, which increase algae growth. Use a filter that is meant for more than the size you actually have. For example, a tank should have a filter.[10]

Never replenish your tank with well or tap water.

Purchase a water filter from a home hardware store or online supplier.

Clean your fish tank once a week to remove waste. Fish waste contains nitrates and ammonia, which promote algae growth. Start by using an algae pad to clean the inside glass by wiping it in circular motions. Afterward, run a siphon-type vacuum along the surface of the gravel. Finally, use an aquarium-safe glass cleaner or a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water, dip a microfiber cloth in it, and wipe down the outer surface of the tank.[11]

Wipe off any decorations with your algae pad.

For algae that is difficult to remove, use a razor blade or plastic blade to scrape it off.

Never let bleach, soap, or other cleaning chemicals get into your water, as they can kill your aquatic life and beneficial bacteria.

Create your own gentle aquarium siphon and vacuum if you'd like.

Minimize the use of tank additives. Common additives include bark extract, acid regulators, buffers, salt, and water conditioner solutions. Although tank additives can sometimes help you create a healthy ecosystem, overuse can lead to too many nutrients and cause algae growth. Only use these additives when absolutely necessary.[12]

Don't use algaecides unless you haven't had any success with any other options. Most of them contain chemicals that can harm your fish.

EditTips

Most pet stores provide free water tests if you bring in a sample of your aquarium water.

EditWarnings

Never overstock! Always take the size of your tank and the types of aquatic animals it carries into consideration. Do your research on how many fish you can own in your aquarium's size and how much filtration is needed.

EditSources and Citations

EditQuick Summary

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Parenting Along With A Cold Ex Lover In The Course Of The Holidays.

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