HELP!!! Spots!

r0ckbab3 · 06-25-2008, 02:02 PM

Hi there everyone! I was hoping that someone could help me with my tank issue. I have a 5 gallon tank here with my lil betta that i have had forever.

and i got him a bigger tank cuz I thought he would like it, (which he very much does) But I have a problem!!! I have rust looking brown spots on the glass, plastic plants and on the tops of the little rocks. I clean out his tank every 2 weeks. But why is this happening? and does anyone know what i can do to make it go away? do i need a lil sucky guy for the bottom? HELP ME!

Thanks so much guys!

orb4me · 06-25-2008, 05:49 PM

I think you have the same problem I did a few months ago. I found this thread posted to me from Tommy Gun. There is more if you want to go back to Feb.

Right now I can think of two possibilities for what you are describing as "brown algae":

1. Diatoms - In my experiences with diatoms, they seem to be a little bit more golden-brown and usually cover areas in a thin layer (at least at first)
2. Cyanobacteria - Even though cyano is referred to as 'blue/green algae', I have only seen it as a light brown, almost a grayish tan color and is very slime-like

If diatoms, this is a pretty common issue and is linked to nutrient levels such as nitrate and phosphate. It is also photosynthetic so it can be more of a problem when light is abundant:

* How long do you keep your lights on?
* Does your tank receive a lot of ambient light such as sunlight?
* Besides ammonia, what are your other water parameters...if you are currently testing for them?

Cyanobacteria is also linked to nutrients and light as well. In the past, I have used a blackout to help deal with cyanobacteria...which may also help in the case of diatoms as well.

Quote:
I also have a 55 gal, and non of this brown stuff.
Because these types of issues are linked to water chemistry, it is not rare to see people who have a large problem in one of his/her tanks, but not the other. In fact, because it takes a shorter period of time to degrade the water quality in a smaller body of water, you may need to monitor your 10 gallon more closely than you have to in a 55 gallon tank.

Jay · 06-25-2008, 06:08 PM

Hey r0ckbab3...Welcome to our forum.

You have not described cyanobacteria.

If the spots are brown, they are probably diatoms. Common in new thanks a month or two old.

Quote:

It is also photosynthetic so it can be more of a problem when light is abundant:

Actually it is not photosynthetic so light reduction will not help much with diatoms.

Without getting really technical...it is silicates and phosphates that give diatoms an edge. As the tank matures both of these compounds especially silicates will decline.

They will eventually go away and be replaced by the green algae.

If you are impatient, you could buy a handful <-minimum of three, Otto catfish. They love diatoms.

If it is brown spot algae, scrape it off the glass, watch your light, feeding and overall water quality. Ottos also love this stuff

Jay

r0ckbab3 · 06-26-2008, 02:51 AM

WOW You guys are so helpful. I really appreciate all the info. But i do have one more question, aside from monitoring all the conditions that you have listed (among them the otto's) I was just wondering if I can put that in my tank with my betta. Some say you can and others say Hell No. Whenever i try to go buy one someone always says that i cannot do that. Please help me with a definite answer, because i have been doing all that i can. What is an Otto anyways? lol

Thanks a million
:X

Jay · 06-26-2008, 06:58 AM

I keep a beta with a school of neon tetras with no problems. Betas react to perceived threat or a fish that has a similar profile...long flashy fins etc. I have ottos in the tank also.

An otto is a little sucker mouth catfish 1-1.5" that have a big appetite for diatoms, spot algae, and soft green algae.
They do best in groups of three or more.

Regards,
Jay

Loman · 06-26-2008, 08:24 AM

I have kept Beta's in numerous community tanks with a wide variety of inhabitants. IME the biggest concern is that the other fish will nip at the beta's long fins and bully it significantly. I have never seen a beta act aggressive to a fish outside its species. Some of them can be absolutely beautiful so I really like them in the tank

r0ckbab3 · 06-30-2008, 03:53 AM

Hey you guys! Thanks a lot for all the help. I got myself 2 Otto's to start out with because I dont want to frustrate my betta (hes my baby). They cleaned all my diatoms within a day and a half! It looks great in there and I think that Quibble (my betta) has only chased them for a second 2 or 3 times. Thats okay right?
But just a quick other question if you dont all mind: Do i just feed my betta like normal and the otto's will get the leftovers or do I need to get some sort of other food for them. Basically what is the maintenance for these little guys?

BTW their names are Ren and Stimpy. Lol

Jay · 06-30-2008, 07:39 AM

I'm not certain that they can digest protein. IME You need to keep an eye on their tummies. If they are nice and fat then there is sufficient algae, if not, you need to supplement food.

For just two of the little guys, I would use sinking algae wafers occasionally. You can also use algae sheets, like what they wrap sushi in, although a pack of that would probably last you forever.

Jay

r0ckbab3 · 06-30-2008, 03:57 PM

Well one of them has a bigger tummy then the other. What do you mean by flat? Like in proportion to the rest of the body?
Thanks for the supplement tips