algae eater for mbuna tank?

magakitty

magakitty

Normal people scare me
Apr 5, 2007
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Palm Springs
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What kind of algae/diatom eater could we put in the 55 gal? (see sig for list of inhabitants) we have a diatom problem in the tank. Oto are great for this, but I understand that they would not make good tank mates. All of the cichlids are small (~2") but the loach is full grown.
 
How about a bristlenose plec?? he/she would be perfect for a 55 and they have such great personalities They don't get too big so they won't take over your tank. (don't be tempted into buying some of the larger plecs unless your are prepared to upgrade your tank as they get larger - and besides the larger they get the bigger the risk of them attacking your cichlids)

If you want some thing COMPLETLEY different how about one of these!

http://www.timstropicals.com/Photo.asp?fish=Malawi&name=Malawi%20Freshwater%20Crab<br>Potamonautes%20orbitospinus&Family=Invertebrates&Page=index
 
if you try the bristlenose get it young and do a really really slow acclimitisation (drip method maybe); he'll probably be coming out of slightly acidic soft water from the LFS and going into your hard alkalinic water.
 
how slow? - we take 45 minutes to acclimate our fish when we bring them home. 15 mins floating in LFS water, and 30 mins adding 1/4 cup tank water ~every five mins -
 
I'm not a fan of having plecos in Mbuna tanks mainly because of the stories I've heard of their eyes being picked out. :( Not something I want to witness in my tank. If you insist on getting pleco, then a Bristlenose would work though. Just make sure you have enough hiding spots in the tank.

Algae in Malawi tanks IMO looks natural. I actually like the algae on my rocks and back glass. :rolleyes: And Mbuna will sometimes graze the algae on rocks, so I like to leave it there for them. Brown diatoms will eventually turn to green and reddish algae, which sometimes can look nice.
 
I love bristenose plecs, would love to have one, but have not done it for the same reasons as GirlieGirl. Couldn't stand to see one get done over, even though I have heard good results too.

How slow is slow ? I would say hours perhaps using the drip method :

1. Fish in LFS bag & Water
2. Put fish and water in bucket. Nice large one - 14/15 litres
3. Set up aquarium line from tank with one of those nozzle sorta things that you can adjust flow with.
4. Start siphon from tank with nozzle turned to slow drip into the bucket
5. Wait and Wait. No harm to have a heater in there to keep temperature.
6. Bucket fills; remove fish, place in tank.
 
Well, Steve bought a plec yesterday that has been in the mbuna tank at the LFS for quite a while. He seems to be fine. We have a lot of cover in the tank. ... I hope it works out. I know he wouldn't want his fish hurt. Plec was fine this AM
 
Great & good luck ! they're such nice fish. Fact that he's been in with the rockies has to help; he's used to the water and he has hopefully learned how to handle 'em too.
 
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