Narwhal

Lately, I have noticed brown algae near and on the thermometer in my 10 gallon. I looked today and saw little white things floating in the water. A couple were on the front glass, moving. My fish don't seem effected by it, but I don't like it and it can't be good for them. Does anyone know how to fix this? It's only on the right side of the tank (decorations), but that is the side with more decoration.

Butterfly

Diatoms (brown algae) frequently show up in a fairly newly set up aquarium. They will go away on their own as the tank matures.
The white worms(planaria) are symptoms of over feeding and the substrate needing vacuumed. They are in the substrate in small numbers all the time. But they will multiply in proportion to food being available.
A fishes stomach is approx the same size as one eye so keep that in mind when feeding. These little white worms are harmless to your fish and high in protein. Your fish may enjoy eating them if they are fed a little less food.
A good water change and a couple of substrate vacuums will see them back down in numbers so you won't see them any more.
Let us know how it goes
Carol

Narwhal

Thanks for the advice, Carol. My tank has been up since last August, but I had very little experience with fish back then. I'll try it out, though. I've always fed my fish a little too much... I try to feed them 3 flakes per feeding (3 feedings a day), but sometimes 4 or 5 get in there. I guess I have to be more careful. What is a good amount for 2 free-swimming fish? Also, I should vacuum my tank more. Probably tomorrow, if not the next day, I will.

Butterfly

Not knowing what the size of the fish or kind it's hard to advise how much to feed them. Just remember the little formula about their stomach being approx the size of one eye and it will help you figure out how much to feed them it's not a hard and fast rule but will help you figure things out.
I feed mine twice a day and I know I do over feed so I do an extra water change and substrate vacuum each week.
carol

Narwhal

I think that 3 flakes should be good, but my Platy is a pig and eats most of the food, so my Cherry Barb never gets much. I need to feed more to get even one flake to the Cherry Barb, but fish can live for a while without food, so eventually he will get some.

Butterfly

Try sprinkling a flake at both ends of the tank
Carol

Narwhal

I drop it into the "waterfall" of the filter and it goes right down. I guess I'll do that with one of the flakes, then just let 2 float.