EDRob44

I have a 10 gallon tank with 1 Otto Cat and 1 Neon Light Tetra. I'm having MAJOR algae problems. I have green algae constantly growing on the sides of the tank and substrate, and blue/teal/green algae is covering my decor.
I'm pretty sure the problem is light; I have a timer set for 11on/13off, but the tank is in between my living room and kitchen, in a small apartment. I talked to my wife about moving it to the bedroom (where my other tank is, that's doing great), but she loves having the tank where it is, despite the mess I'm constantly trying to fix. Is there anything I can do to battle this problem without moving the tank? I'd planned on getting a phosphate and nitrate test to see what levels are off, and I'm going to put a wallpaper on the back of the tank to help keep the light from the kitchen off of it (it doesn't have one now, and I think it's getting more light from there).
Does it sound like I'm on the right track? Could there be another problem? I'll repost here after I test the levels.
Thanks for the help,
~Rob

btate617

Lower the amount of time you keep the lights on to about 8hrs. Also if you tend to over feed cut down on how much you feed at every feeding. Both of these will help.

Brian

EDRob44

Oops. I forgot to mention - I think the problem is that it's getting too much light from the kitchen and living room after and before the lights in the tank are on. I guess that may be obvious, but just to clarify

I've cut the feeding way down; sometimes every other day. Cutting the light is the main problem. If there's nothing else I will have to move the tank. I just have to try and convince my better half...

I merged these two posts to save space.
Thanks!
Ken

Aldric

try cutting down the length of time ur lights are on

fishingman001

get a Plecostomus.

Je55*e

^Do NOT get a Plecostomus. They grow to be at least a foot long.

pepetj

For a 10gal tank? you gotta be kidding!

EDRob44:

10 gal planted tank can be a challenge to keep but keeping real plants should be a long term solution for your algae problem. Please review your feeding method, over-feeding can induce and maintain algae blooms.

You could place three more Otos there (they like to school) and four more Neons (They also like to school). Also a few Ghost Shrimps and/or one Nerite Snail.

If you have aquarium gravel as substrate, consider upgrading to a nutrient rich soil substrate (e.g. 4 lbs of Azoo Plant Grower Bed). Aquarium gravel tends to trap too much organic solids and provide it to algae (and bacteria).

Performing frequent partial water changes will likely lower the levels of nitrates and phosphates in the tank.

You could consider using a few fast growing floating yet submerged stem plants such as Cambomba, Hornwort, or Anacharis (Elodea). Give it some time and your plants should outcompete the algae.

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

aquarist48

Good morning. I have moved your thread to "fresh water/aquarium water/algae" section of the forum. This may help you to get more responses and to help other members with the same problem.
Thanks!
Ken

fishingman001

I got the pleco and the Otocinclus sp. mixed up. sorry. the Otocinclus sp. is MUCH smaller.

iloveengl

Lol, yes an Oto is MUCH more suitable for that size tank, but if you get one, I hear they do better in a group of three (I forgot how your tank is stocked, so that may or may not be good).

A mystery snail is even better than a bottom-feeder fish. They do all the work with less bioload, don't destroy plants, and they don't reproduce like pond snails.

Certainly, move the tank away from any direct sunlight, don't over-feed (only feed as much as is consumed in 3 minutes), and perhaps reduce the time of your artificial lamp. Good luck!