New algae eater

[davidaguiar]

I've been thinking about adding a new fish to my 30G.

Right now I have the following:
5 Julii Catfish
4 Playts
5 Red eyed tetras

I had two questions. What would be a good algae eating addition, and do I have enough room? Also, how do I decide if there's going to be enough algae in my tank for him (or her) to eat. My tank is in a basement and I don't use a tank light, so I have minimal algae growth. I've had the tank for 8 months and have only had to clean the inside of the glass 3-4 times at most. Would I have to supplement with fish food?

[OrionGirl]

What specific fish do you want to add? There are many fish that are lumped together as 'algae eaters', but they are not all equal. Some require algae, either through intank growth or supplemental feeding, while other need algae only while juveniles and prefer other, often meatier foods, as adults. Either way, a low algae tank will mean you must feed them. Many 'algae eaters' starve, simply because there is not enough algae, or it is not the type the fish prefers.

If you like a specific fish and can meet it's needs, by all means, go for it. Tanks do not need algae eaters, so don't add one just because you think it 'might' be needed.

[valerie]

I think a bristlenose pleco is the best algae eater out there. They eat a couple different kinds of algae, only get 4-6" and are cute(atleast i think so:p )

Some of the other algae eater(otos, SAE,) only eat certain algae. Like otos prefer brown algae, I have never seen them touch the green stuff in my tanks. And SAE eat the hair algae and not really the green algae that covers the glass and decorations. SAE also stop eating algae as much when they get older and prefer flakes or other foods.

CAE are also not very good algae eater as when they get older they can be quite mean and stop eating algae. Plus the get fairly big.

[TwoTankAmin]

Hate to contradict you Valerie, but true SAEs eat more kinds of algae than any other algae eater out there. They will continue to eat algae when big. I know I have 3 that are 4 inches and have had more that size. You are correct that they will eat everything else when they get larger. however, if I have a spate of algae I just feed the tank less and they go right to work diligently. The biggest problem is they are one of the hardest fish to catch in a well planted tank.
http://home.att.net/~c.leighton/wsb/media/39037/site1084.jpg

[TKOS]

Yes, I think SAE are probably the better algae eaters out there. They are greta for planted tanks and will do fine with a couple of them in a 30 gallon tank. Make sure you get a real SAE though and not a false one or a flying fox, both of whom are the greatest algae eaters (they will graze a bit but not do a lot of damage).

[valerie]

Well my experience with my SAEs is different then yours, And yes mine are ture SAE. Mine only ate the hair algaes, never once did i see them try to eat the green algae off the glass or decorations. PLus i found that when they were smaller they always ate the algae and kept the tank pretty clean but now that they are big they prefer eating flakes. If i have a problem with some algae growing i have to starve them to get them to eat it and even then they dont' really.

I have just had better experiences with my bristlenose plecos, I now have one or 2 in every tank. Mine eat brown algae,green algae and hair algae. Pus they do a great job of keeping the glass clean and plant leaves free of algae.

- I have also noticed that once you add a SAE to a planted tank you will never get it out.They have to be the quickest fish when they know youareafter them :p