Algae

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FreshyFresh

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Jan 11, 2013
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Way too much lights on time. I'd reduce it to ~8hrs/day. That little bit of algae or could be diatoms will probably wipe right off.
 

Jazmin0303

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Dec 28, 2017
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Way too much lights on time. I'd reduce it to ~8hrs/day. That little bit of algae or could be diatoms will probably wipe right off.

I did notice the last time I did a water change and cleaned the rock that it came off but I hadn’t gotten it all off. I thought I had but once I put the rock back in I could see that there was still some on there. Do you think if I just wash the rock and plant and get it all of and start leaving the light on for less time that it would be fine?
 

Jennifer G.

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Nov 20, 2017
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Looks like diatoms to me. Is this a newly set up tank? If so, it will hopefully run its course and be gone in a little bit. Are you using tap or RO water? If you're using tap, it might be worth testing your water for silicates.

I got myself a silicate test kit made by Seachem. I water change using tap water. Tested my tap water and found I had 7.8 ppm silicates. Those high numbers resulted in cronic amounts of diatoms, and NEVER would've resolved on it's own. I now pretreat my water with Phosgard using a canister filter and 55 gallon heavy duty totes I got from Home Depot. Haven't had diatoms since.

I just noticed you're in S.C. I live in Murrells Inlet, SC. We are a good distance apart but may share similar water qualities.
 
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Jazmin0303

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Dec 28, 2017
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Spartanburg, South Carolina
Looks like diatoms to me. Is this a newly set up tank? If so, it will hopefully run its course and be gone in a little bit. Are you using tap or RO water? If you're using tap, it might be worth testing your water for silicates.

I got myself a silicate test kit made by Seachem. I water change using tap water. Tested my tap water and found I had 7.8 ppm silicates. Those high numbers resulted in cronic amounts of diatoms, and NEVER would've resolved on it's own. I now pretreat my water with Phosgard using a canister filter and 55 gallon heavy duty totes I got from Home Depot. Haven't had diatoms since.

I just noticed you're in S.C. I live in Murrells Inlet, SC. We are a good distance apart but may share similar water qualities.

The tank has been up since January and this just barely popped up. I am using tap water for water changes, but this never happened in the previous months, I used to have a little bowl for my previous betta and that Never happened in his bowl either
 

fishorama

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Jun 28, 2006
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I agree with FF, 8 hours of light max. You can also split the time lights are on, so when you're around they're on. Maybe a couple hours in am, then most in the evening.

It's also good to have the lights turn off 30-60 minutes before the room lights go off. It gives the fish a chance to ramp down before being in pitch dark. An inexpensive timer can be an easy way to achieve that without having to plan too much. I use them on all tanks, they cost $5 or 6. It saves on power bills too, although I have solar electric panels :D
 

Jazmin0303

AC Members
Dec 28, 2017
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Spartanburg, South Carolina
I agree with FF, 8 hours of light max. You can also split the time lights are on, so when you're around they're on. Maybe a couple hours in am, then most in the evening.

It's also good to have the lights turn off 30-60 minutes before the room lights go off. It gives the fish a chance to ramp down before being in pitch dark. An inexpensive timer can be an easy way to achieve that without having to plan too much. I use them on all tanks, they cost $5 or 6. It saves on power bills too, although I have solar electric panels :D
I’ll have to look into a timer then!

One question about a different problem, what do I do about my betta overeating? He’s started eating my snail’s algae wafers even though he gets his own food which makes him really bloated and I keep trying to not feed him for a day which helps the bloating but doesn’t solve the overeating...
 
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