Algae problem

[Nina]

I have three tanks. Two get no sunlight and have no other fish in them except the betta in each one. The one tank with a couple of cory cats (who eat algae tablets) stays clean. The two that never have algae tablets in them and get no sun stay covered in algae all the time.

I have bio-wheel system tanks. Is that why there's so much algae? Or am I doing something wrong? I'm tired of cleaning the algae, but the other two bettas won't allow any other fish in the tank without killing them, not even cory cats.

Thanks!

Nina

[starlight]

Nina...I've wanted to reply to this question since you posted it but I've been unable to log in until now.

Do the tanks that have algae problems have any lighting?

Are there any plants in the tanks?

I have thoughts on the algae probs but I'll wait to hear your answers first.

[Nina]

Thanks for replying! All three tanks have fluorescent lighting. None have real plants. All are bio-wheel filtration.

Nina

[starlight]

Here's what I'd do. Limit flourescent lighting to 8-10 hours a day. Put the lights on a timer if possible. Low lighting can be just as bad as excessive lighting in promoting algae growth. Algae are a very rudimentary form of plant life. Placing real plants in the tank usually helps limit algae problems. Plants compete with algae for nutrients and usually win out. There may be excessive phosphates in your water. Increasing the frequency and amounts of water changes will remove excess phosphates (which algae like). If you don't have one an algae removing pad will help. Scrub a dub, dub.

One thing that I won't tell you to try are the algae removing pills (Algae Destroyer) and chemicals. I can't tell you if they work; I'd never put them in water that my bettas are in.

I don't think the Bio-Wheel is the source of the problem.

[Nina]

Thanks for the help! I think I haven't been leaving the lights on enough because it's so hot I didn't want them to overheat. I'll get a real plant and see if that helps. I do have an algae scrubber. Last week I completely cleaned the tank and put in new silk plants and gravel so the algae wouldn't just regrow on the old stuff (it's extremely hard to get off those silk plants).

Thanks again!

Nina

[starlight]

Without any plants in the tank, there's no reason to leave the lights on that long. Bettas don't need much light but the low-light conditions suit the algae.

I'm guessing that you have a 5 or 10 G tank. Get a bunch of plants. Floating plants are good for bettas and turn the light on consistently. Watch the temperature until you get a good feel for how plants, betta and water are doing.

Good luck and let us know if this helps your algae problem.