ricktavious

Andre's tank is near a window (would rather have it not be there, but it's the only place I have for betta tank #2). Therefore, he gets a good bit of light even with the shades closed and light off most of the time. The side closest to the window has a good bit of algae. I'd like to get rid of it without distracting him or harming him (i.e. no chemicals, no new fish, etc.).

It's not bad or anything, but very visually unappealing. So, what can I do? I'm thinking of getting a little "background" to block out the light. Would that be enough?

I would also try that Atison's Betta Spa, but can't find any around me and opted not to order it when I placed an order for someone else at drfostersmith...didn't know it helped with algae

So I'm leaning towards a background if you think it would help. Any other "betta safe" algae removing suggestions are appreciated.

nmwierman1977

Getting a background I don't think would make a bit of difference. I have both my tanks in our bedroom and the blinds are closed in there all the time. Algae doesn't just grow from light. I just had to re- cycle RJ's tank and it took a couple weeks for it to cycle and after it cycled it started getting all of that algae growth on it I believe bacause of the newly "good bacteria" that established in the tank. I had to do a water change last night in his tank cuz I hadn't had the time to do one and it was a week and half since I did one. It helped incredibly with the cycle, but RJ wasn't looking so hot yesterday because I held off so long.He's fine now. I had to wipe all of it off with a filter sponge. That is the only other way you can try to keep it down to a minimum w/o using chemicals(which is a bad idea anyway) or introducing a few oto cats to the tank. Is your tank newly established. If it is that's probably why you have algae growth. Natalie

ricktavious

Yep, it just got done cycling. So that does it, huh? I've been wiping it out some, but the part where it is worst is near t he heater/filter intake. A pain to get there

sirdarksol

Yes, light has something to do with it, and the background might help, especially if the majority of the algae is on that one wall.
Algae needs light, and it needs food. If you take either one away, its growth is severely stunted. The other thing you can do is make sure that you only feed the betta what it will eat. Since it's the only one in the tank, this should be pretty easy. I just drop a couple of pieces of blood worm, or one betta flake into the tank, and my betta has had his meal.
I'd say go for the background, then get a Malaysian snail or two and drop them in the tank. I love these little guys. They like spending time on the bottom of the tank, but if there's enough algae on the sides of the tank, they'll go after that. They aren't perfect, but they at least lower the amount of algae. Between the snails and blocking the light, your tank will likely look quite a bit cleaner.

Edit: Another thing you can do is add live plants. Live plants suck up the stuff that algae needs to grow, further limiting any blooms. From the sound of the location, something like water wysteria would probably grow pretty well, even without special lights. Water sprite grows fast, making it good for absorbing phosphates and the like.

Barbrella

If your betta will allow it, I suggest Zebra nerite snails.

I got a couple today, and in 10 minutes, here's the job they're doing on the algae on my plants!!

sirdarksol

Wow, those things are cool. I might have to add them to my snail collection.

Barbrella

They're pretty,and also will not breed in your tank and have population explosions.

I think I'll get a few more.

TheEssigs

they look pretty cool... I wonder if I can get them around here... Im gonna have to check that out as well...

Thanks!

Barbrella

Hmmm...I put one in one of my betta's tanks. He didn't exactly roll out the Welcome mat, the little monster!

"Yo - Speedy! MY tank MY plants, Mine mine mine! Get out!!!"

TheEssigs

Great Shot!!

Bettas are too funny. I have 3 and they are all soooo different. One is just a misarable grouch, the other is a happy go lucky cant wait till you come see him fish, and the the last is a peaceful dont bother Im swimming here kinda dude..

Kevin

lol...i was wondering about this also
barbarella...where did you get those? do you know of any online sites that have them?

Barbrella

Here in Canada, Big Al's carries them. Not sure where you could get them elsewhere, but you should ask your LFS to order some for you!

Kevin

i definently will...i di some research, and they sound awesome...just don't know if i could keep enough algae in the tank for them...

Barbrella

Since you have more than one tank, you could rotate them to keep algae away. By the time they finish cleaning the last tank, the first should have a new supply of algae for them.

COBettaCouple

i'd love to find those snails around here.. very cool!

Kevin

thats what i was thinking about doing...get 1 for my 29 and 1 to split time between the betta tanks

TheEssigs

I found that one of my golden mystery snails eats algae tabs! No sooner do I drop a piece in the tank and he is on his way over to the location and when he gets there he just sits on it and eats it till its gone.

ricktavious

Cool info on the snails! I might look into those, they are pretty cool looking.

BTW, I have two live plants in the tank, something kinda tall and something not so tall. And to the person who posted the pic of the betta flaring at the snail, AWESOME!!! HAHA, loved that.

TheEssigs

This is a great pic, you should submit it for the fish of the month pic!

COBettaCouple

i agree!

Barbrella

Thank you! But the pic didn't come out clear as I was hoping it would.

COBettaCouple

is that the original pic? do you have photoshop? i think it could be sharpened up some.