My Nano Tank Needs Help

[Mikaila31]

I set it up a couple months ago, I quickly got a outbreak of algae. The only inhabitants are a betta and 2 cherry shrimp. No CO2 and generally no ferts. I have a 13 watt aquarium lamp above the tank and it is 2.5 gallons. The light is on 12-14 hour every day and the tank is infront of a window, but gets very little natural light. I can't get any aquatic plants to grow at the bottom of the tank, the java moss and above water plants grow fine. I also took some of the grassy looking plant and put it in my hi tech planted tank and it grew slower that my dwarf hairgrass. So how should I go about getting rid of this algae and any other plants I should try since the ones in there are barely growing? I was thinking or trying some marimo balls, but i'm not sure?
full tank shot

the algae

above tank shot

 

[RadaR]

Firstly I would limit the lighting hours too 10hours. It's near a window so just put a black blanket over it after 10 hours (with the lamp off!). Also, get some easy, fast growing plants in there.

 

[fish-aholic]

You might also want to target dose excel.

 

[Mikaila31]

OK I removed as much algae as I could and I got rid of the grassy looking aquatic plants, since they where dieing. I am also thinking of removing the filter, since the betta doesn't really like it. Would that be OK or would it make my algae problem worse? Also any plants that you can recommend? I really like the marimo moss balls. I know they are really a type of algae, do you think they would grow in this tank?

Thanks,
Mikaila31

 

[TammyLiz]

One thing to take note of, if you do put marimo balls in there do not use excell! It will kill them.

This is my kind of tank. I have done a setup almost exactly the same. Same filter, heater, light bulb. I used sand and a little piece of wood and everything! It worked out fairly nice. I've done a lot of little tanks.

If there is any direct sunlight on the tank at all I would change the location because that is the worst thing for causing algae issues.

Removing the filter will probably make your algae problem worse but not for sure. I couldn't imagine a betta being happy with it because it really does create a lot of current in such a little tank and there is nowhere to get away from it. Although it may be in your best interest to keep it as far as plants go I wouldn't blame you if you took it out. One thing to consider is that you'll end up with more mulm collecting on the sand, especially around the plants and in the corners, and it could affect the betta's health if it is allowed to linger. The still water, especially if it is kept warm with that heater and those lights, is great for harboring the kind of bacteria that would cause fin rot, as well as water mold which is even worse. So I'd suggest adding an airstone if you do remove the filter.

For plants to fill things in I would suggest some java fern, its the hardiest plant I've found and always looks nice. If you can get a hold of some windelov that is even nicer and doesn't get as big. I would suggest a small crypt but I've never had luck with them. Maybe its my water, though. It might be worth a try. For a stem if you want one, I have had good luck with red ludwigia. It grows a little green and semi-slow under lights like yours but it is nice.

I couldn't tell from the pic, but how far do you have the light from the tank? It might affect the bottom plants if it is too far. Also, what color temperature is the bulb and how old is it? If the light spectrum isn't ideal for the plants it can encourage algae growth.

 

[Mikaila31]

I did remove the filter, cuz the little green piece that is used to control the flow literally went down the drain . The light is about 4-5" from the surface of the water. It is a 7200K bulb, I got it second hand and have tried to find a replacement it looks old, but no luck. Dose anyone know where I can buy a spare?

Cheers,
Mikaila31

 

[radioman]

if yo want advice on a small filter that is not in tank is the red sea nano filter. I use it on my 2.5 and it is hob so it hardly takes up any room.

 

[TammyLiz]

Hmm...I scrolled up to see what you'd said about the light and realized I was just assuming you were talking about a screw in compact fluorescent since those do come in 13 watt bulbs. Is that what you're using? Or is it some other type of light? If it is CF you can find replacement bulbs anywhere--walmart, LFS, hardware store, etc. I'd suggest checking out the hardware section because they're cheaper there and I have had success using some of them. One of my tanks that has a 15w Lights of America bulb is doing very well right now. Sorry, I cant remember the spectrum and its not written on it. Got it at Walmart in the hardware section.

 

[Mikaila31]

It is a CF bulb, but it has too pins. I can't even figure out how to get it out of the hood. Normally i don't have problems with things like that. I have tried searching the name, but I come up empty.

Thanks,
Mikaila31

 

[TammyLiz]

Hey, I searched for that bulb, too, and I found quite a bit on it when I put "aqua lux" in quotes for the search, but none of it was in english! So I'm assuming you can't get that in the US, at least not online.

I did find this, though:

http/www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/215713/product.web

It looks to might like it'd fit your fixture. You might be able to find something similar somewhere else with a little more time. I only took a couple minutes. Good luck!