Fish tank water problems

[Rtc/tsn]

I gave my 40 gallon to my mom to have whatever fish she wants and she has 4 Buenos Aires tetras. 2 female bettas 6 apple snails and I have my eel catfish in the tank too it’s temperature is constantly is the 76-81 range with an aqua clear 70 for filtration with ceramic rings, bio sponge and carbon filtration. 60% water changes 2x weekly. Any tips. The tank is next to a window but the curtain for it is always closed. But there’s always an excessive amount of black/dark brown algae and lots of algae in the substrate. The substrate is about a year old now and every water change there’s always a bunch of algae in the gravel which is only about 3/4”-1” deep.

 

[eon aquatics]

add a algae remover chemical, introduce plants, lower lighting, and siphon

 

[Rtc/tsn]

add a algae remover chemical, introduce plants, lower lighting, and siphon

What do you mean by siphon? Like siphon the gravel during water changes? If that’s what you’re saying I already do that. There’s 3 or 4 live plants in the tank. Already tried decreasing light in the tank but it hasn’t had any effect on algae growth. I thought a lot of those chemicals are dangerous to invertebrates and scaleless fish.

 

[eon aquatics]

idk, my aquariums get algae on the sides mostly, i noticed that a lot of water flow sometimes stops the algae from sticking to the sides and the filters can pick it up
but if your algae is in the gravel thats more difficult

 

[eon aquatics]

you could try to aim some power heads at the gravel, they might stir up the algae and allow the filter to clean it

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

Just get nerite snails they love this stuff

 

[1 2many]

Have you tested the nitrate level in the tank?
How many hours a day do you keep the tank light on? Do you add any plant supplements?

 

[deeda]

Rtc/tsn post a pic of your mom's tank so we can have a guess at the type of algae it is.

I don't recommend adding an algaecide to your tank.