Green algae blues...

[BettaChi]

OK so I have two live planted tanks and one is in the sun a bit more than the other and it has green algae issues.

Everything from green water to green algae (that, at it's worst, won't come off even with a scraper) on the sides of the tank. It got so bad I completely emptied and scrubbed the tank to clean it and now its coming back!

I understand that over feeding is often the culprit so since the major tank overhaul I have been very careful.

I leave the tank light on less at night (as I heard that can help algae grow)

I also do water changes to help control outbreaks!

I am happy with the tank in it's current spot so moving it is not an option I want to explore...

But is there a product that can help control this successfully with a betta, otto-cat and cherry shrimp living in the tank?

I also don't want to leach all helpful bacteria out of the tank (I am using microbe-lift and plant ferts). Can anyone help me eradicate this outbreak?! S.O.S.



Thanks!

 

[Barliman]

Can you put a background of some sort on the side facing the window to block the sun?

 

[libertybelle]

definitely seconded on the background. But also just a thought, algae is a natural part of fishtanks, as long as the tank is balanced so it is not taking over, some algae is normal and healthy.

More otos (since they're schoolers) and a nerite snail could help. But if this is a small tank, it's probably pretty much stocked already and that would do more harm than good.

Adding fast growing plants to use up the light/ferts before the algae do can help a lot too!