Algae Problem

[ClaireN]

Hello

I need some advice, I have a 15 US gallon tank with 4 peppered cory's and 1 male VT Betta Bertie, they seem to get on ok although he does chase them sometimes.

Anyway that’s not the problem, the problem is that I am get a lot of algae in the tank, I can cope with the green algae that I get on the glass but I am getting hair and black algae on the ornaments and the plants, is there anything you guys can suggest I do to get rid of it or is there any fish that are ok to put in with Bertie that will eat the algae.

thanks for the help in advance.

C

P.S. the cory’s could always be moved to my other tank.

 

[Taridan]

Well, I have a Pleko (sucker fish) in my tank with my VT male beta, and they get along okay... It helps that the sucker fish is larger than VT, so if you do get a sucker fish, try to find one thats about 2-3 inches long, and fairly plain with his/her colors.

 

[catxx]

or a trio of ottos would clean all that up pretty sharpish, and stay small unlike plecs.
i don't think they'd push your stocking either.

i got 3 for my 7 gallon, overnight all the brown algae that covered the whole thing, was gone.

 

[ClaireN]

or a trio of ottos would clean all that up pretty sharpish, and stay small unlike plecs.
i don't think they'd push your stocking either.

i got 3 for my 7 gallon, overnight all the brown algae that covered the whole thing, was gone.

I like the sound of Otto's will see if the local store has any.

Did consider a Plec but thought better of it, think something that moves quickly is a better idea

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

If you go for otos, and they are sweet lil things, they do like clean water. They can be quite fragile. Well mine have been. Not that I ever see the two I still have. The tank is so heavily planted I wouldn't see them unless they came to the front glass. And they rarely do so since the bristlenoses live there. I see them maybe once a month.
Hugs,
P.

 

[Booboo puppy]

4 scrawny otos cleaned up my WHOLE 40 gallon tank in less than 24 hours--it was amazing! They are no longer scrawny and they are often visible on the sides of the tanks and the ornaments. The tank they are in has female bettas, rasboras, and corys. The female bettas totally ignore them. I am very pleased with the fine work the otos are doing.

 

[MrMarblesTI]

You could always just clean the tank and ornaments, too...

 

[Taridan]

or a trio of ottos would clean all that up pretty sharpish, and stay small unlike plecs.
i don't think they'd push your stocking either.

i got 3 for my 7 gallon, overnight all the brown algae that covered the whole thing, was gone.

I like the sound of Otto's will see if the local store has any.

Did consider a Plec but thought better of it, think something that moves quickly is a better idea

lol have you ever seen a Pleko tryingto swim away from the net? I tell you, they are FAST little buggers. It took me a good ten minutes to catch Tucker when we shifted him from the Oscar tank to the Beta Tank. but whatever floats your boat.

 

[sukie]

Hey Claire!

How long do you keep your lights on?? Algea is usually cause by a low/high(can't remember) bulb. . . if you take the decorations out and just clean them really good and leave the lights off for a week/two that should stop the algea growth.

 

[ClaireN]

You could always just clean the tank and ornaments, too...

I do clean the tank and ornaments but it is also on the plants, and it keeps coming back.

Hey Claire!

How long do you keep your lights on?? Algea is usually cause by a low/high(can't remember) bulb. . . if you take the decorations out and just clean them really good and leave the lights off for a week/two that should stop the algea growth.

Hi

My lights are on for about 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening, this tank was a community tank before and I never had the problem then it is only since it has been used for Bertie and the Cory's.

 

[jollysue]

Otos don't eat hair algae. I think only the true Siamese Algae Eater (SAE) does and, to be clearer, that is NOT the Flying Fox.

I have hair algae--the green stuff, thank God I don't have the black. I control mine by breaking up the light. Plants need 8 hours, but they don't care how they get it. If you break your lights into 4 hour segments on a regimen with several hours between (mind you, do not go over the 4 hour segment) the algae growth will be limited and the plants will grow. My Betta actually like the hair algae, so I allow a limited growth, but I have had it reduced to not being able to find any. It doesn't seem to get erradicated though because if I start leaving the lights on all day again it comes back.

And Sukie is right, to get a head start on the elimination, turn your lights off for a couple of weeks. If you have plants they will survive a limited darkness. Then follow the shut down with the 4 hour segment routine. It will work if you stay under the 4 hour segments.

When I first got the hair algae I went to the planted tank forum to get answers, because this algae was covering my plants ant smothering them. This is the best and easiest way that they gave me to control algae. It's a lot easier than trying to find an algae eater for each kind of algae. There are some other things planted tank enthusiasts do but it involves buying equipment ant knowing your plants better.

 

[Animation]

Well, I have a Pleko (sucker fish) in my tank with my VT male beta, and they get along okay... It helps that the sucker fish is larger than VT, so if you do get a sucker fish, try to find one thats about 2-3 inches long, and fairly plain with his/her colors.

If this is a common plec in a small tank i advise you get rid of him now, did you know theese fish grow easily to 13"? Keeping him in a tiny tank is cruelty

 

[sukie]

And Sukie is right, to get a head start on the elimination, turn your lights off for a couple of weeks. If you have plants they will survive a limited darkness. Then follow the shut down with the 4 hour segment routine. It will work if you stay under the 4 hour segments.

I it when I'm right!!

Claire - I leave the lights off my tank all together I only turn them on to feed the bettas. . . unless I have plants in the tank and it sounds like you just have plastic/silk ones. To control the situation right now - just clean the items in the tanks as best as possible and then leave the lights off for a couple weeks.

I think I can honestly say - most of us hate algea especially brown algea!!

 

[ClaireN]

And Sukie is right, to get a head start on the elimination, turn your lights off for a couple of weeks. If you have plants they will survive a limited darkness. Then follow the shut down with the 4 hour segment routine. It will work if you stay under the 4 hour segments.

I it when I'm right!!

Claire - I leave the lights off my tank all together I only turn them on to feed the bettas. . . unless I have plants in the tank and it sounds like you just have plastic/silk ones. To control the situation right now - just clean the items in the tanks as best as possible and then leave the lights off for a couple weeks.

I think I can honestly say - most of us hate algea especially brown algea!!

Ive got silk plants near the filter but i also have real ones at the other side of the tank so im not sure they would do to well with the lights off for 2 weeks.

 

[sukie]

What kind of plants do you have???