Is it possible that my setup is suffering from lack of nutrients due to the uncontrolled growth of algae. I'm thinking the algae were sucking up all the nutrients in the tank. I kept a betta fish in the setup and I fed him often, them fish flakes have a lot of nutrients plants can use. Not only that but I fertilized with miracle grow once or twice a month, although weekly. But then you also get the waste products of the betta fish himself.