View Full Version : Is there a way to grow algae?
riddle4sphinx
10-11-2007, 1:40 AM
When I got my ottos, there was some algae on the tank. But now, they've cleaned it all off and it doesnt seem like any is growing. I feed them sinking algae wafers and some vegetables, but I just worry about either not feeding them enough, or feeding them too much and gunking up my water. I'd feel better if there was algae on this tank.... so is there a way to grow it?
I've never tried using real plants, my decor is all fake plants and some rocks/broken japanese pots.... I actually have no idea how to even switch over to a planted tank if thats what causes algae. Or, if I did get real plants, would my ottos eat those? I appologize, I'm kind of new to keeping ottos. They're in the 10 gallon tank in my signature with my guppies. Water is heated to constant 78 degrees, water params are always normal and I do weekly 30% water changes. Thanks for any advice!
Mgamer20o0
10-11-2007, 1:45 AM
add light..... as long as they are fat they should be fine.
Otos do not eat plants. Get a few smooth small rocks and put them in a bucket placed under direct sunlight. Adding some fish food as ammonia source may help produce green algae rapidly. Once covered with algae, you can place some algae-coated rocks to your tank for the otos to eat and leave the rest to continue growing algae.
The same method has been employed for my hillstream loaches.;)
TropicalNorth
10-11-2007, 4:22 AM
The algae is still growing but the otos are just constantly 'grazing' on it so it never becomes noticeable. Like mgamer said if they are fat (and eating) they'll be fine. Algae wafers and vegies is a good diet. I give mine half an algae wafer every second day, a piece of blanched vegie every week and they like the occasional shrimp pellet, plus a bit of algae. Otos are pretty small so they don't really eat much.
Otos should have fat little bellies, my two.
pinkertd
10-11-2007, 8:08 AM
Lupin, that's a great idea!! Do you just barely cover the rocks with the water then?
riddle4sphinx
10-11-2007, 10:41 AM
Ok thanks guys, I just worry that they aren't fat enough? They do have little bellies, but like I said I've never kept em before, so to me they just look like when I bought them. I do have their tank light on for almost 10 hours a day, but it still seems like no algae is growing. I'll definitely have to try that rock tip.... and tropical, what kind of shrimp pellets do you use? Thanks again everyone for all the info!
Star_Rider
10-11-2007, 10:46 AM
yup
algae grows when there is an imbalance in the tank.usually too much light or to many nitrates.
I use to do the same thing with rocks.. I have several tanks in the tanks with no oto's i let algae grow in ricks then place those rocks in the tanks with oto's.
you can also grow algae on rocks in bucket in direct sunlight.
oto's will eat a lot..for their size the are considered one of the best algae eaters in aquaria. a small crew will rid you of algae issues.(particulalry diatoms)
TropicalNorth
10-12-2007, 1:41 AM
They're Omega One Shrimp pellets, otos are pretty much 100% vegetarians but mine seem to like the occasional pellet.
Lupin, that's a great idea!! Do you just barely cover the rocks with the water then?
Hmmm..I don't get the question.:confused:
Edit: Oh good grief!! I mean bucket of water. Did not include the word 'water'.:owned:
riddle4sphinx
10-12-2007, 2:14 AM
Aright thanks everyone! I'm going to probably try all of your suggestions and see what i can get to work best. By the way, I forgot to mention this before... TropicalNorth, I absolutely LOVE your pictures! The quality is awesome... and Ottos just rock to begin with... enough said :)
rcervel
10-13-2007, 10:16 AM
Funny, I was thinking of posting the exact same question. I got a few Otos last week and in two days they cleaned the tank of all the brown diatoms. I was worried about what they could eat, so I left some blanched zucchini, which the grazed over for while. But not like they were starving, after ten minutes they left it and started grazing elsewhere. I guess there was still some unseen algae or whatever, around which they preferred to the zucchini.
I like the idea with the rocks and the bucket in direct sunlight, I'll try that and see how they like it.
I guess there's enough food for now, since all of the Otos have grown noticeably in the past week or so.