Algae

[Jazmin0303]

Just feed less to the snails, maybe twice a week should be enough for them & your piggy betta. You can also feed less than a whole wafer at a time.

I’ll have to do that then. I’m just worried about what i might have to do whenever I get my cories

 

[fishorama]

But then you'll have more fish eating the food . It's really just a matter of learning how much is enough but not too much...just like with water changes, lighting etc., everything in balance. You'll find out what works best for your particular tank & fish. & know to do what keeps it that way, there's a learning curve but you can do it!

 

[tanker]

Is it a new tank? Looks like Diatoms, very normal in a new tank.
Also--Cut down on the lights.

 

[Jazmin0303]

Thank you so much for the help! I really appreciate all the advice. I never thought that taking care of a tank would be this challenging even after having read up on it before setting it up I’m really glad everyone here is so helpful and kind!

 

[The Frugal Aquarist]

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

Diatoms are the puberty of tank maturity. They'll go away on their own in 4-8 weeks as they deplete their food and are displaced by slower-populating microbes. The appearance and disappearance of diatoms are milestones for a tank.

You can wipe them off if you can't stand them, and if they corner more than a third of a leaf you should, but otherwise it's just to be ignored.

 

[ustabefast]

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

This is what I did when I had a low light tank. Anubias needs very little light, so limiting light is your best way to reduce algae. Just turn the lights on when you are around to view the fish.
My 20 gallon has a couple Anubias but no other plants. I run the lights just 4 hours a day and have zero algae and the Anubias are doing ok.

 

[Jazmin0303]

Thanks so much you two! I noticed that after keeping track of a good lighting time has made them go away a little, almost completely on the anubias leaves and somewhat on the rock. I plan on wiping it off tomorrow when I do a water change because it sort of freaks me out to see it on there

 

[fishorama]

You know, your snails & maybe your betta will eat some of the diatoms. & they're starting to go away too. I know it "unsightly" but it's also part of building a complete biologic environment, so don't be too worried about it. Wiping it off is fine before a WC, but it just needs to run it's course.

I run my lights 6-maybe 8 hours & I can grow lots of plants beyond just anubias! Some are quite junglish happy. That may not be the look you want but I like it!

Your really white caves will not stay that way, they'll get a "patina" of brownish green. You "can" take them out & bleach every few weeks (& dechlorinate heavily!!!) but I would suggest you embrace the look, stark white is not often a sustainable fish tank color. I like their shape too but be aware "crap" may get trapped inside & need vacuuming out on a regular basis.

 

[Jazmin0303]

You know, your snails & maybe your betta will eat some of the diatoms. & they're starting to go away too. I know it "unsightly" but it's also part of building a complete biologic environment, so don't be too worried about it. Wiping it off is fine before a WC, but it just needs to run it's course.

I run my lights 6-maybe 8 hours & I can grow lots of plants beyond just anubias! Some are quite junglish happy. That may not be the look you want but I like it!

Your really white caves will not stay that way, they'll get a "patina" of brownish green. You "can" take them out & bleach every few weeks (& dechlorinate heavily!!!) but I would suggest you embrace the look, stark white is not often a sustainable fish tank color. I like their shape too but be aware "crap" may get trapped inside & need vacuuming out on a regular basis.

Alright, so If I just leave it be it’ll go away?

And also, they’re actually grey but the lights make them look white XD. I still really doubt they’ll stay that light of a grey though.

(I don’t know how to make smileys on here so I hope those “XD” faces aren’t annoying to anyone here *insert awkward emoji here*)

 

[fishorama]

I got it, not annoying at all! But there is a smiley tab at the top of the reply box for a few basic 1s...about all I understand, lol. FB has way more than I have yet to get (I'm old & not techy or emoji-rific).

I just wanted to warn you about possible issues with your caves. I'm glad you're cool with what may likely happen