algae eater for a betta tank?

NewObsession

NewObsession

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Aug 27, 2007
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First off, let me make it clear I am NOT refering to a siamese algae eater!
2 gallon hex tank is currrently home to a betta. The other tanks in the house are incandescent lights and we don't seem to have any algae problems, but the 2 gallon has a flouescent light and with it being left on more than it should, the other day I noticed a fine covering of algae on the gravel and forming on the fake plant. I am thinking of getting one or two algae eating shrimp but not sure how long it will last with the betta( pulled out the plant and replaced it with an ornament with a little cave to at least give it a chance if I go that route). Then after reading some threads tonight thought maybe a snail was the way to go. However it seems to be a recurring thread that 1 snail can quickly turn into a tank full of snails. yes? No? Thoughts on the shrimp? the Snail? or other suggestions?
 
i would suggest getting a timer for your lights(less than $5 at walmart or lowe's) and some low light plants that feed on the water column (like java moss). Is it green algae or brown algae? If you got a mystery snail/brig snail/apple snail they can only reproduce with a partner (although the females can store sperm for months). I think the betta would be likely to try and eat shrimp.
 
Firstly, do you have a filter?

No brigs.. they get to the size of a golfball and do nothing exept crap lol

A spixi apple snail stays alot smaller and they love algae, but you still need to feed them ;)
 
Ya, I am thinking about timers. Know what it's like to teach an 11 yo to turn off a tank ? Especially when it's used as a night light. The only filter in it is a UGF. Ya, I kinda figured the shrimp would eventually be betta food. Oh, mostly green algae, although I think there were a couple of pockets of brown in the gravel along the edges
 
On a tank that small, why not just remove it manually when you do water changes?
 
Maybe replace the light to either A) lower wattage or B) incandescent. The plant idea that msjinkzd suggested may also work.
 
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