Help on getting rid of algae

Hi,

Have a 2.5 gallon topfin. A week after I cleaned the tank, scrubbed the algae of all the plant leaves and the decorations, so it was sparkling clean, my tank looks like it does in the first two pictures. In the first two pictures below, that was one week after I had cleaned everything (leaves were completely green, and in the 2nd pic, the cave was completely white).

I only have one betta fish in there. Have low wattage light (the one that comes with the tank), and leave lights on each day from 10am - 10pm.

I've received a few suggestions (reduce 12 hrs light ==> 8 hrs). I have two tanks that are the same (both Topfin 2.5gallon). The # of plants I have in the tank in the 3rd picture is similar to the tank for the first two pics in question (I feel there is probably enough plants, but I could get more if needed). I can also get a Nerite.

Does anyone know what kind of algae I have (I have no idea what it is, but after a while I start getting dark black algae everywhere - not furry, just like a coat of black slime).? Is there any add'l things I can do to prevent this algae? It feels like it's growing way too fast (one week seems way too quick for so much algae).

Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

Any help hugely appreciated. Keeping this tank presentable has been a real feat.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

Cutting back on the lighting time would definitely be my first suggestion. 8 hours is better for preventing algae, and if your schedule allows it you can also split up the lighting times so the light is on for 4 hours in the morning, then off for a few hours, and then off for the next 4. Some people report that this helps prevent algae.

It would also be good to check your water parameters if you have a water test kit, as high nitrate levels can cause algae blooms. What is your water change schedule? Is your tank newly set up? Some of the algae (the fuzzy light brown stuff) looks like diatoms, which are common in new tanks and will go away on their own eventually. The dark algae is probably from either excess light or nitrates (or both).

 

Also, test your phosphates. Based in your description and the picks, it could be cyanobacteria.

 

Good catch, DevBiker.

Here is a good article on Cyanobacteria: https://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/apr08/cyanobacteria.htm

 

And another thread - started today, in fact: .
As you'll see in my post on that thread, I took the "Starve the little buggers" to heart.