How can I clean the algae out of my beta tank?

Question

My beta is swimming around in a green tank! Here is the problem: even if I add 75% new water and 25% of the old water, the old green water quickly turns the whole new tank green.

My beta has beautiful colors that we can't enjoy because of the murky green water he lives in.

Tips?

The water, not the tank, is green.
The tank itself is clean. I scrub it clean periodically.
The beta is in a room with a lot of sunlight, so thanks for those who pointed out that that can be a factor. I will move him to a shadier room.

Incidentally, this betta is completely happy in his green water ... he (she?) is over 2 years old.

Answer 1

So the water itself is green, not the walls of the tank?

That is uncommon, but not anything to be seriously alarmed at.

This green water is caused by a free floating type of algae, which usually does not do well in established aquariums. If your tank is large enough, you might look into getting some filter feeders, such as a freshwater clam or two, which will suck these critters up, and gobble them down. Certain shrimps, such as bamboo shrimps also are filter feeders.

You might also put up a divider, and try to breed some live food in the other side. Rotifers, daphnia, and ghost shrimp will all eat green water, and teh betta will eat rotifers and daphnia, although adult ghost shrimp may be a bit on the large side.

These ideas all make the green water work for you, but there are also ways to fight it. Green water tends to need a lot of sunlight, so moving the tank to a shadier spot, or putting something behind it to shade it may help. Some people claim that by putting tape along the bottom of the tank, you can reduce the sunlight which reaches the gravel, and this is supposed to somehow keep most of the algae's nutrients in the gravel.

Since you can grow green water in this aquarium, you can probably also grow plants in the aquarium which will compete with the algae, and hopefully cut down on their presence. Javafern, Anachris, and Spiral Val are pretty easy for starters. Any floating plants from water garden suppliers, (such as fairy moss, butterfly fern duck weed, etc. will also work, but they tend to take over the tanks, and a betta may use them in his nest.

Some filters will kill this sort of stuff to. A UV fitler is probably the easiest to use on a betta tank. Ozone aditives can also work, bt you need a reaction chamber to keep the ozone from getting back to the fish, and burning it's gills and fins off.

A Diatom filter will filter just about every particle of anything out of the water, whih should get rid of the stuff, but it is not for permanent use, it clogs easily, and is really expenisve.

Answer 2

Notes:
1)Stop over feeding him. (See betta talk link)

2)Small bowls without filters should be completely cleaned, and the gravel rinsed.

3)There is no good reason you've stated to go from tap water to bottled. Bottle water isn't in all ((most) better than tap. In any case you shouldn't switch completely from one to the other all at once. (You should do the switch gradual over a week or more.

4)Many of the above posters forget that you need to be sure the new water is the same temp as the old!!!!

5)Consider getting a small tank with a filter. I use 5 gallon hex tanks from eclipse for my bettas, and the water is crystal clear.

Answer 3

Put your beta in another thing of water,trie a largebowl or a vase or bucket that has not been used for chemicals, then take the tank and clean it and rince very well.

Answer 4

the only way to keep algae out of your beta bowl is clean your bowl once a week and keep it away from a window. sunllight ubv rays cause algae. your beta should live to be at least two years old that is the average life span of a beta.

Answer 5

You should find an small filter, otherwise it is difficult to get rid of algae. Another option is to use bottled water instead of tap water. Anyway your betta can surely live happily even in much worse conditions.

Answer 6

yeah they are used to living in muddy water but you can take the beta out and put him in a coffee mug then clean the tank and put him back.

Answer 7

Go to bettatalk.com. I purchased a first aid kit through them. I use a product called betta zing (wonderful stuff) I also use tank buddies to balance the pH.

Answer 8

get a plecoscamisc its probably spelled wrong but it is a cheep very cool algae eater that will live harmoniously with your beta and the cool thing is you don't have to feed it

Answer 9

Ok,I have a betta.Heres what you do.


Take your betta out of the tank.Put him in a water filled bowl or cup.Make sure it has some betta drops in it you can get from the petstore that takes the cloryne out of his water.
Then clean ALL of the water out.
Then take a some soap and a sponge.Fill the tank about a half an inch with warm water.Scrub the tank COMPLETELY ans rinse with warm water.Then try adding a little bit of lysol.
Then rinse with hot water a lot.Then scrub with soap again.
Then rinse with hot water.
Let the tank dry outside while you repeat these step with his toys
let them dry as well.
then fill with cold water
then add some betta drops you can get from the pet store.
Then let it sit for like 5 min.Then poor your betta in.
The algy should stop growing.
Hope this helps.

Experience level: beginner, for a peaceful tropical community (one male only), or house alone

For ages: 8 & up, with adult supervision
Pet size: 2"-3" long

Traits & behavior

Carnivores
This means they eat mostly animal matter, including prepared foods and fresh, freeze dried or frozen foods.

Graceful
You will see your betta slowly swimming toward the top of your aquarium or bowl. They also tend to rest near the bottom.

Temperament
Male bettas are aggressive toward each other. Therefore, house only one male with smaller, peaceful fish in a community aquarium, or keep him alone in a one-quart or larger bowl. Females are not aggressive and can live together peacefully.

Air breathers
Bettas gulp air from the water's surface to help them breathe.



Things to remember

Adding fish
Whether you're just starting your aquarium or introducing new fish into your tank, don't forget to add only 1-3 at a time.

Safety & cleanliness
Please remember that all pets may bite or scratch, and may transmit disease to humans. Keep your pet's home clean and wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning his home. Infants, young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and the infirm or elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with the pet or its habitat. Consult your doctor for more information.



Nutrition

Staple diet
Choose a tropical flake or pellet food. Feed according to the directions on the packaging.

Specialty foods
Vary their diet by including frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex worms and other small worms, mosquito larvae and daphnia. Always remember to thaw frozen foods before feeding.

Frequent feedings
For optimum health, feed your betta as much food as it will consume in 1-3 minutes, twice a day. You can alternate between regular staple diet feedings and 2-4 meals per week of a specialty food.


Health

Signs your barbs are healthy:

Eating vigorously and actively swimming
Clear eyes, smooth, clean skin and fins free from any lesions or inconsistent colorations
Calm, steady gill movements
Things to watch for:

Lying on bottom of aquarium for extended periods of time
Poor growth or weight loss
Inflamed gills, skin or fins
Fins clamped to sides
Scraping body on rocks
If you notice any of the signs described above, check your aquarium water quality and consult a PETsMART Aquatics Specialist.



Environment

Aquarium
If keeping one male alone, choose a one-quart or larger, bowl or desktop aquarium. If housing in a community, a good rule of thumb is one gallon of water for every one inch of fullgrown fish.

Décor
Decorate their bowl or aquarium with rocks, ornaments and plants, but be sure to place them on the sides and back of the aquarium so theyll have enough space to swim in the center. Avoid ornaments with sharp edges.

Fish compatibility
Your male betta will thrive living on his own, or as the only male of the species in a peaceful community aquarium with smaller fish. Females can be kept together.

Water changes
When housing a betta in a bowl, keep the water surface free of dirt and debris and perform weekly water changes. If in a community aquarium, test the water weekly and perform partial water changes twice a month.

Water temperature
Bettas require a tropical aquarium with water temperatures ranging between 75-85º F. Use an aquarium heater to maintain water temperature. If your betta is in an unheated bowl, the room temperature must remain above 75º F.

Aquarium placement
Place your aquarium in a low-traffic area, away from direct sunlight and drafts.

Aquarium stand
An aquarium stand will safely support the weight of your filled aquarium.

PETsMART cares

We take a variety of measures to ensure our fish are healthy and happy from the start. Our suppliers screen the fish for optimum health prior to sending them to our stores. To ensure they stay healthy after arrival, each PETsMART store preventatively medicates its aquariums. In addition, our water quality is checked twice daily so that the aquariums stay in optimum condition.

Aquatics services
To ensure your aquarium is balanced and disease-free, PETsMART offers free water testing. By bringing in a sample of your aquarium water, we can test the quality within minutes.

14-day guarantee
All pets sold in our aquatics department have a 14-day satisfaction guarantee. This means we will replace or refund the purchase price of any fish that becomes ill or dies during this period, provided the fish is returned to the store where it was purchased along with the sales receipt.

Is a betta right for you?

Yes No
I have an appropriate location and stand for a correctly sized aquarium.
I will test the water quality weekly and do a partial water change every 1-4 weeks.
I will provide a proper environment and adequate nutrition for any fish I keep in my aquarium.


Supply list

Here's a list of the necessities you'lll need to take home today to help your new betta stay healthy and happy. Please ask a PETsMART associate to help you choose these items.

Home
Approximately a quart or larger, glass bowl or aquarium, for its permanent home
Aquarium stand (if needed)
Gravel or decorative stones
Filtration system (ask associate for recommendation)
Aquarium heater and thermometer
Food
Betta food
Décor
Decorations (rock/ornament)
Live plants (assists with biological filtration)
Artificial plants
Supplies
Water conditioner/dechlorinator
Water test kit/strips
Gravel vacuum (for water changes)
Fish net
Extras
Books and magazines
General fish care guide (free)

Answer 10

get a baby algea eater but they do grow fast!!!! youl have to take him out sooner or later but never put you beta in a large tank he will die!!!!!