Algae in my betta tank...

[Fishmanic]

In my 5 gallon Betta tank, soft brown algae was becoming an issue causing the need to clean off each an every anubias leaf once a month and brushing algae off the rocks and my single ornament. My tank light is not very bright. It came with the tank. My tank had an internal fairly weak filter which came with the tank.
I figured the algae issue may be caused by too little air flow. So I will soon remove the internal filter. Today I installed a small air pump feeding to an airstone and also a small sponge filter. Time will tell if it solves my algae issue.

I also notice that my Betta has been more and more lazy , just swimming when feeding time came around. Perhaps more air flow will give him more energy. He looks just fine and eats well, just doesnt have much energy as of late. Perhaps more air being pushed into the tank will help. Time will tell.

 

[hansgruber7]

Try testing your water to see what the water quality is if you haven't already. Maybe reduce your lighting time or put some fast-growing plants like frogbit to help with the algae.

 

[Jan Cavalieri]

Keeping in mind that once you put in frogbit it takes over - so every time you put your hand in the tank it will come out covererd in frogbit LOL. It is really good for algae problems and coverage for fish.

 

[Fishmanic]

The light is a very low output LED light that came with the tank. Room gets no direct sunlight..just filtered light through window shades. Led lights are only on 8 hours a day.
Time will tell whether increasing the water circulation helps.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Low lights can cause algae issues as well as too much light believe it or not.
Though low light algae is usually brown algae but any algae can happen due to low light, just whichever algae takes control first.

Lights can lose their intensity over time so might be worth consiering replacing the light bulb/tube/unit if that might be the case.

The fact you have increased filtration / water agigation or flow will help as this will benefit the plants as they do better with increased circulation of water.

 

[Fishmanic]

While on the subject of Betta fish:
Our Fish of the Month contest resumes in mid October. T'his month we will feature Betta fish. All members who own a Betta are welcome to enter the contest. Get those pics ready.

 

[Fishmanic]

I don't think it's a low light issue as the windows bring in filtered light during the day. The tank is several feet away from the windows.

 

[Ch4rlie]

I don't think it's a low light issue as the windows bring in filtered light during the day. The tank is several feet away from the windows.

Then it may be possible that the sunlight from windows that could be causing your algae growth, direct sunlight is one of the leading cause of green algae next to nutrient imbalances.

 

[hansgruber7]

Algae is basically caused by an imbalance between light and nutrients as I understand, so just experiment with increasing and decreasing those variables until the situation improves. That being said, every tank will have some algae and that's good and normal as long as it isn't taking over. If you're scraping algae off once a month, it may be quite normal. Most people scrape algae along with their weekly water changes.

 

[Fishmanic]

Actually I think it's brown colored algae

 

[Fishmanic]

I need to check my levels...haven't done that in a long time in this tank. I also haven't done a gravel vac in a long time..I've been using OJ bottles to do my 50% water changes to make it go quicker. as it's only 5 gallons I use my Python water changer in my larger tanks. I need to do a gravel vac very soon.

I don't overfeed my Betta..He gobbles every pellet..about 4 to 5 a day.