Brown algae and little copepods on the glass?

I have about a 2 year old betta tank running. Since it’s been set up it has had its fair share of issues but now I have seem to hit a point where I do not understand what is going on. The tank is a 10 gallon that has a sponge filter and a small adjustable HoB filter. The problem is the tank won’t stay clean and the plants and sand are growing this back like mold as shown in the pictures below. I have also been constantly battling brown algae since I set the tank up. Basically I wanna know what I can do to get the tank clean and what this mold stuff is and how I can get rid of it. Is it related to the brown algae and little copepods on the glass?

Parameters are also wacky as I’m using the apI test kit and I’m getting strange readings

Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0
Ph-6.4

Meanwhile the betta is perfectly fine showing no signs of stress or disease. This is very confusing to me. Any ideas and feed back would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

That "black-like mold" that you're describing is actually black beard algae. Also, you said that your parameters are wacky and that you're using an API Master Test Kit, do you know if your kit is expired?

 

That "black-like mold" that you're describing is actually black beard algae. Also, you said that your parameters are wacky and that you're using an API Master Test Kit, do you know if your kit is expired?

I just bought the kit this year and it doesn’t expire till 2024.

 

I watched a YouTube video the other day that suggested a couple options for dealing with algae. (I'll check my history and see if I can find the link if you're interested.)

First, you can carefully remove each plant, and use a hydrogen peroxide spritz. (Please research before trying this.)
Second, you can also black out your tank for a couple days. The theory is that with no light, the algae cannot grow.

Personally, I'd move the fish to a temporary tank for a couple days, because I think bettas get lonely, but again, research prior to action.

 

I think I’m gonna up my water changes and dose flourish excel, lower my photo period and maybe add some phosphate remover to the filter. But I still don’t understand what I’m gonna do about my water parameter readings

I also got a lot of tiny white critters moving on the glass, plus little worms swimming at times. Something is out of whack but what’s confusing is the betta is perfectly fine. No visible signs of any water parameter issues in the fish, but clearly in the tank.

 

I also got a lot of tiny white critters moving on the glass, plus little worms swimming at times. Something is out of whack but what’s confusing is the betta is perfectly fine. No visible signs of any water parameter issues in the fish, but celery in the tank.

It sounds like detritus worms.

 

It sounds like detritus worms.

So any ideas for potential solutions? I am considering tearing the tank down, bleaching the plants and decor, then adding a new substrate and starting from scratch, but I do not think that will be good for the fish. But according to my readings, I do not have any ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. I clearly have issues in the from of excessive detritus, black mold like stuff that doesn't seem to be bb algae cause it comes off with the blow of a current, detritus worms, copepods,etc. In summary the tanks a mess. I probably can blame myself for lack of maintenance on it, but lesson learned, now I need to fix it.

 

So any ideas for potential solutions? I am considering tearing the tank down, bleaching the plants and decor, then adding a new substrate and starting from scratch, but I do not think that will be good for the fish. But according to my readings, I do not have any ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. I clearly have issues in the from of excessive detritus, black mold like stuff that doesn't seem to be bb algae cause it comes off with the blow of a current, detritus worms, copepods,etc. In summary the tanks a mess. I probably can blame myself for lack of maintenance on it, but lesson learned, now I need to fix it.

Detritus worms will not harm your fish and I believe they will disappear as your tank matures.

 

Detritus worms will not harm your fish and I believe they will disappear as your tank matures.

What about my weird water readings and the excess detritus/ bb algae/ mold or whatever it is. I did a water change the other day and its back and spreading like a plague today.

 

I’ve been noticing the accumulation of brown/ black organic waste, that looks like mold. I did a water change and it comes back rather quickly. Upon further inspection I’ve been able to rule out black beard algae, as it comes off with the swift of a current. This is occurring in a 10 gallon planted Betta tank which has a minimal current. I included pictures below. I hope someone can confirm or deny it for me. IF it is Mulm, should I be worried about it and how can I manage it’s spread as it seems to be accumulating rather quickly.

Ph-6.4
Ammonia-0ppm
Nitrite-0ppm
Nitrate- trace amounts (less then 10ppm)

 

You called it. It's harmless organic gunk. Concentrate on a thorough gravel vac with each weekly WC. No worries.

 

You called it. It's harmless organic gunk. Concentrate on a thorough gravel vac with each weekly WC. No worries.

Why do you think it’s accumulating so rapidly? The filter isn’t absorbing it. Like it’s an excessive amount. I’ll be honest my maintenance lately on the tank has been bad so is it possible I’m going through old tank syndrome, also considering I have detritus worms and copepepods?

 

You'll never get old tank syndrome if you diligently keep up with tank maintenence, especially a weekly 50% WC. My 65 gal. Has been up & running 21 years. Don't worry so much, Copepods are harmless. Maybe upgrade your filter. An AC
30 would be a good filter for a ten gallon.

 

You called it. It's harmless organic gunk. Concentrate on a thorough gravel vac with each weekly WC. No worries.

Why do you think it’s accumulating so rapidly? The filter isn’t absorbing it. Like it’s an excessive amount. I’ll be honest my maintenance lately on the tank has been bad so is it possible I’m going through old tank syndrome, also considering I have detritus works and copepepods?

You'll never get old tank syndrome if you diligently keep up with tank maintenence, especially a weekly 50% WC. My 65 gal. Has been up & running 21 years. Don't worry so much, Copepods are harmless. Maybe upgrade your filter. An AC
30 would be a good filter for a ten gallon.

I’ll give upgrading my filter an option. Rn I have a small Hob with some biomax and an aqua-clear sponge and a sponge filter running. I would love to add some nerites or Ammanos but my betta isn’t very friendly to “tankmates”

A201 I forgot to mention that I recently went back to school so the last few weeks the tank was not cleaned. I did a major water change this past weekend. I then noticed the increase in the Mulm, the detritus worms and a ph drop from 7.0 to 6.4. The Fish never showed any signs of stress however. Sorry if I’m rambling but this fish has survived several rounds of ich treatment, fin rot and swim bladder disorder. He’s the most durable betta fish I’ve ever had.

 

I had a 10 gal. Aquarium in my college dorm room. Between basketball practice, girls and " oh yea" classes, the tank was severely neglected. Lol.

 

they're called diatoms, also referred to as brown algae. I have a tank that's been battling diatoms for months. they like new tanks, lack of current, silicates, hard water, and can thrive in low light. I too have a betta so I can't increase the flow at all or else he'll be knocked around. I do water changes twice a week to suck up most of the gunk with my gravel vacuum and a turkey baster to help dislodge it. for the harder diatoms that are stuck to stuff, I use a toothbrush to scrub them off them suck them up.

 

I’ll give all of this a try. I am just baffled how rapidly all the Mulm/detritus and algae accumulate. I guess it’s no surprise I got detritus worms and little copepods spreading like wildfire. Lots of food. I’m doing small 25% water changes every other day and dosing seachem pristine which a organic waste removal post water change/ gravel vac A201 midna