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So I have a 10 gal that is established with some rescued fish (4 Kuhli Loaches, 2 Red Phantom Tetras, 2 Glowlight Tetras, 1 Male Betta).

I was wondering a few things:
1) I am not sure if I have enough room to put 2 more glowlight tetras?

2) I need some algae eaters...so 2 or 3 otto's? Room for them?

3) Will the Kuhli Loaches be good enough bottom feeders/ cleaners?

So I know this might not be the best setup for the tetras but it was either this or the toilet (cause the guy I got them from was going to flush them ALL)

If possible, I would take the red phantoms to a LFS. Call around to the LFS around you and see which one will take fish you can't keep. Then up the glowlights to 6 (add 4 more) and your tank will be stocked. I wouldn't add any ottos.
Only adding 2 glowlights won't help much IMO. They do better with groups of atleast 6. You don't have room to keep the tetras in good schools and the other fish.
I know you rescued them...and that is great. But, to keep them happy in such a small tank, I would seriously think about giving up the phantoms.

*Kristin*

I would do that but the store wont take them back unless i have a recept. So I am kind of stuck with them.

"Could" there be room for otto's? I need some algae eaters...

They won't take them without you getting anything in return? I took a couple black widow tetras I rescued to my local PetSmart and they took them. I explained I couldn't keep them and I didn't want anything in return.


Don't add any more fish unless you want to overstock your tank.

What color is the algae and what does it look like? You could try to fix the source of the algae instead of adding more fish.
Kristin

*Kristin*

The color of algae is brown. So I clean the tank every week and feed a small amount twice a day. So I am not over feeding.

Do you have any live plants in your tank? Also, how much light do you have?

Brown algae can be caused from low light, low oxygen levels, nitrates, and excess silicate (which come from tap water or leech from gravel).

Try feeding only once per day, as much as the fish will eat in 2 or 3 minutes. With all the fish you have coupled with feeding twice a day, you may have high nitrates. Do you have a test kit? If so, check your nitrate level.

*Kristin*

I have a nicely stocked tank full of plants and a FloroGlow bulb. Last time I checked my levels (two days ago) my nitrites were 0. So I am going to try to cut down on feeding and see what happens.

With Low oxygen...would an air pump help? Not sure how to check that.

Last time I checked my levels (two days ago) my nitrites were 0

nitrAtes is what causes the brown algae...not nitrItes. NitrItes should be 0, nitrAtes on the other hand should be between 10 and 20ppm.

For low oxygen level, an airstone would help. It might be that with all the fish, the oxygen level is low.

Do you know how many watts your bulb is?

I had a different type of algae in my 55g and I cut my feedings down to once a day. It really helped slow the algae down to where I could keep it under control. You may not think you are overfeeding, but sometimes it happens. I didn't think I was until I realized I was feeding alot at one time...and doing it twice a day.

*Kristin*

So I gave a good scrubbing to the glass on my tank this weekend and changed 1/3 of the water. I also added an air pump and it seems to have helped. I notice the water is clearer and the algae on the tank is not so much. I also cut feeding down as well.

I have a FloraGlow bulb that is 15 watts.

So we shall see what happens.

Great. Hopefully the airpump and less feeding will help with the algae.

Your bulb is good. You have 1.5wpg, so the light shouldn't be the problem. The plants should also help with the algae problem.

Keep changing the water on a regular basis and keep the amount of food you feed down and everything should be ok.

Good luck!

*Kristin*