Need a sucka!

Juice

Juice

KillaOJ
Jan 4, 2009
1,132
0
36
39
NorCal
Hey all I'm pretty sure I have asked this question before sometime in the past but algae is really taking over my tank and I was wondering what type of algae eater would be appropriate for my tank and it's inhabitants. Here are my specs:

12 Gal
3 Harleys ( I know I'm gonna go buy @ least one more)
3 danios

That's it!! I know I can add a few more fish so I'm thinking about a Dwarf Gourami and another Harley at least.

I'm thinking about a snail but the last time I got a pregnant one and had to deal with little babies and what is there a big difference in bioload between a snail and a sucker?

THANKS AGAIN!
 
Otos won't take care of every type of algae (in my experience), but they do a great job helping clean house for me.

Try to stay on top of your water changes too, as that should also be helpful. Best of luck!

Dave
 
No "algae eaters" will be appropriate for your tank size IMO. Adding stock to help take care of a problem isn't ever a good idea. Algae is a maintenance issue. How long is your photoperiod, what type of lights are you using and is your tank near a window?
 
Yeah the only place I had to put this particular tank was near a window unfortunatly so I'm getting a build up of algae quicker then my other tanks. I have a Florescent light, I'm pretty sure it's a 15 watt. I only keep the lights on for 4 hours a day ( maybe thats too much? ). I do water changes same day every week and my water specs are good so I'm guessing my main issue is that window. I didnt want to get an extra fish to solely take care of the algae but more to add something else to my tank and was hoping I could get 2 birds with one stone by getting a cleaner but maybe that's not the best idea for the size of my tank.
 
And its green algae that comes off very easily...Not sure what type other than that
 
Do you have a background on the sides of the tank that face the window? How about an opaque cover? If not, that could be a quick fix...
 
I also suggest a background on whatever sides face the window obviously won't work if it's the front. Try to keep the shades closed during the time of day when sunlight hits directly. 4 hours of light time isn't going to matter it's not the issue it's the sunlight that is the issue. Believe me natural sunlight adds way more algae then tank lights.
If you decide you want a sucker type fish just for the bottom of the tank look into a hillstream loach, aka borneo sucker. They only get to like a inch and a half and look like a stingry, completely flat and quick. It might work since your tank is small. They are neat little fish I have one in my shrimp tank. But if you can get more then one, I have seen them in pairs in a large tank and they have lots of fun running around the tank together almost like a school.
 
You could also add a fast growing type of plant to help compete with the algae. I was having a bit of trouble with the aglea in my 72gal since the only place to put it was inbetween two large windows. I added some more low light plants to the set up and a handfull of guppy grass. I don't have near the algea problem that I had, and quite a bit more guppy grass lol. Although the 3 baby L144 albino bristlenose plecos didn't hurt either. But I got them because they were beautiful, and functional.
 
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2750628
pPETS-3763084dt.jpg
 
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