Taking care of tank cleaning

**cody11** · 01-12-2012, 05:41 PM

Hi All,

I have two tanks a 20 gal with tetras and a 10 with two bettas. I take care of my tanks. I change water 25% every 4 days. I will clean the sides of the tank,and plants also in the 20 gal clean the gravel. What I am wondering if there is any way to keep the tank from getting the brown stuff from getting on the plants and sides of tank so soon. The 20 has a filter and the 10 has a bubblier. I also treat the 20 with stress zyme to clear the water. I keep thinking how nice it would be to be able to change the water without taking the plants out and scraping the sides all the time. I guess it is just wishful thinking. However if anyone knows of a miracle product that would help, please let me know. Thanks

**Northernguy** · 01-12-2012, 05:46 PM

It sounds like a new tank.The brown diatoms will eventually stop. The cleaning will slow down.lol
There are some small fish that can take care of algae.Otos work well.
Those products you are buying are really a waste of money and not necessary.Your water changes will take care of the tank.

**imma24** · 01-12-2012, 06:04 PM

[QUOTE=cody11]Hi All,

I have two tanks a 20 gal with tetras and a 10 with two bettas. I take care of my tanks. I change water 25% every 4 days. I will clean the sides of the tank,and plants also in the 20 gal clean the gravel. What I am wondering if there is any way to keep the tank from getting the brown stuff from getting on the plants and sides of tank so soon. The 20 has a filter and the 10 has a bubblier. I also treat the 20 with stress zyme to clear the water. I keep thinking how nice it would be to be able to change the water without taking the plants out and scraping the sides all the time.

There is no need to take out your plants everytime you change the water. As Northernguy stated, diatoms are common in newer tanks (I had them myself for about 2-3mos) and they clean off easily - eventually I just ignored them and they disappeared. You're better off just changing the water instead of adding stuff to the tank.

**cody11** · 01-12-2012, 06:20 PM

Hi All,

This is not a new tank. The 20 gal is a year old. the 10 is newer. I have been reading about the brown algae. I think their is a certain fish that eats this algae, does anyone know the name?

**imma24** · 01-12-2012, 06:24 PM

I'm thinking that most forum members would advise you against getting a fish specifically to eat the algae. It's very easy to clean it yourself. There are fish that eat algae but when the algae is gone, you still need to keep that fish fed.

**Goes to 11!** · 01-12-2012, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by andreahp

I'm thinking that most forum members would advise you against getting a fish specifically to eat the algae. It's very easy to clean it yourself. There are fish that eat algae but when the algae is gone, you still need to keep that fish fed.

+1

Agreed, It's far more effective to determine the cause of the algea and eliminate the issue at its start [too much light or nutrients is often an issue] rather than try to fix it after the fact with chemicals or stock.

**cody11** · 01-12-2012, 08:46 PM

Hi All,

Thank you for trying to help me. I think I do know most of my problem. I went to Petco this morning and asked the fellow that takes care of the fish. He also has several tanks of his own at home. I am pretty sure its my lighting. He told me 6-8 hours at most. I know I have been leaving the light on 10 to 12 hours, and now realize how dumb that was. So today it's clean both tanks and get rid of the algae in there and then start with leaving the light off until 5 dinner time and then turning them off at bedtime. I think that should help. What do you guys think, good idea?

**imma24** · 01-12-2012, 10:05 PM

Some reasons you might need to put on your lights at all is if 1) you have plants in there that need it to flourish and 2) to see your fish. I very often just leave mine off out of laziness (I have very easy low light plants in my tank) but I still have algae - it just gets scraped off every so often and my snails & shrimp get some of it.

**ekfishlover2011** · 01-13-2012, 10:03 PM

Yea, leaving lights on too long is good way to grow algae. I forgot to turn my light of in my 10gal one night before bed. One day is all it took. I turned it on that day around 530pm when i got home from work so i could see my bettas and feed them and their pets. Sunny morning next day, and tank is in brightly room with "natural daylight" light on the tank, so i didnt notice even notice. Then i got home that second day and there was algae EVERYWHERE Brown-green algae. It likes that tank. My snails did an excellent job, and they were happy that night. Probably thinking "whoa, real food! None of this processed stuff tonight!" :D

Edited to fix mis-wording.