Algae Problem

[RATTIE2007]

I was looking in my tank last night and there is some kind of algae growing off the sides of one of the slik plants and some on the top of another slik plants leafs. The tank is a empty 3 gallon eclipse. My betta is getting shiped today and thats the only tank that is ready.

 

[Forestpisces]

Take them out and wash them in warm water.

Is your tank near any sunlight?

 

[loraxchick]

algae is the worst...check out this site...ver yhelpful.
http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm

cheers

 

[RATTIE2007]

Thanks, I tryed washing the plants but the leafs come off . The tank is by a large window but it is covered so my birds don't fly into it. I'll look at that site. Would it be ok to use an algae killer?

EDIT: the site says that it's because of low co2. I don't have co2 on it because I don't have live plants. Should I put one of the DIY 2 litter soda bottles for co2 on it. Thanks

 

[lilacamy931]

Is algae natural to have? Have slight brown algae in one tank on the glass and green hair (very small amount) in another tank. I guess it depends on the algae but otherwise not too harmful to the fish?

 

[Forestpisces]

Is algae natural to have? Have slight brown algae in one tank on the glass and green hair (very small amount) in another tank. I guess it depends on the algae but otherwise not too harmful to the fish?

Algae isnt harmful to your fish as far as i know, it can just be rather unsightly.

If the leaves come off your plants when you tried to wash them then i would just buy new better quality ones, all aquarium silk plants should be able to be washed easily.

What is your tank coverd by?

 

[RATTIE2007]

I don't realy know but it looks like Black Brush Algae but it is green so I guess it would be one of the Hair, Thread or Fuzz algaes.

 

[Forestpisces]

I'd move the tank away from the sunlight and put it in a blackout for a few days.

Cover your tank with a thick towel or sheet that lets no light pass through and leave it for 3 days, do not feed your fish or remove the cover for any reason during this time, don't worry fish can go well over a week without food and will be fine.

That should at least help clear some of the algae as it needs light to grow.

 

[RATTIE2007]

Thanks.

 

[cookiemistress]

Thanks, I tryed washing the plants but the leafs come off . The tank is by a large window but it is covered so my birds don't fly into it. I'll look at that site. Would it be ok to use an algae killer?

EDIT: the site says that it's because of low co2. I don't have co2 on it because I don't have live plants. Should I put one of the DIY 2 litter soda bottles for co2 on it. Thanks

Fish take in oxygen (o2) and give out co2, live plants take co2 and convert to o2. U could try putting some live plants in like moss balls, they very easy to keep and fish can have the occassional nibble, very slow growing and neat.

 

[loraxchick]

blackout is a great option if you cant stand the sight of the algae. no, algae is of NO concern for the health of your fish, but is a good indicator of water quality sometimes (too much or undetected ammonia spikes, etc.
algae is a big problem in a lot of betta set ups as good circulation around the tank generally discourages algae..we all know bettas dont tolerate curent all that well so often we get algae.
you dont need a diy co2 kit unless high lighting and real plants. does the surface get plenty of agitation? if it doesnt, maybe start with that. it will mix atmospheric co2 into the water...or try more water changes. just be sure to scrape off all the algae you can see and then do your change.
please dont buy algaefix or any such thing...more chemicals generally isnt better.
the brown algae you see is a diatom and is common in new tanks...they feed off leeched silicone from the aquarium sealant and will go away after a few months.
hope that helped
cheers