Systems and methods for maintaining the dominance and increasing the biomass production of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system are provided. Exemplary methods include applying an effective amount of ozone to Nannochloropsis growing in an algae cultivation system. A further method may include applying a shock amount of ozone above 10 milligrams/liter or higher in the inlet stream flowing into the algae cultivation system. Various exemplary embodiments may include a system for maintaining dominance and increasing the biomass production of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system. The system may comprise a processor and a computer readable storage medium having instructions for execution by the processor. The instructions for execution by the processor cause the processor to maintain dominance and increase biomass production of the Nannochloropsis in the algae cultivation system.