Cleanup suggestion for a small tank?

[Addict]

I've got a 7.5 gallon tank that has some snails (accidentally of course) and 3 pristella tetras (xray). I'm starting to see a little algae growth on the side of the tank. Its not a large amount (maybe due to the snails), but I don't want it to get our of hand.

Can anyone recommend a smaller fish (or something else) for cleanup? I can't seem to find anything that will be ok in this small tank. Thanks.

[Lorazoo]

I have had all kinds of algae eaters, but they never seem to keep the algae off of the glass. I find the best way is to just do a wekly scub, maybe when you do your water changes. And of course as everyone says on here, try to change whatever is in your tank causing the algae, ie inbalance of nutrients, etc.

I would say Otto cats would be small enough but everyone says they are hard to keep alive and if there isnt alot of algae may need a diet supplement of zucchinni or something along that line b/c they typically do not eat flake food, algae wafers, etc.

[solayedbacc]

If it was reoccuring I would put few drops of chemicals to break it down and either let it settle at the bottom or get filtered out...

But ideally I would just do what Lorazoo said... when you do a water change use something to scrub it off...

[Ms.Bubbles]

If it was reoccuring I would put few drops of chemicals to break it down and either let it settle at the bottom or get filtered out...


Don't use chemicals to solve your problems. Algae is usually the result of high nutrient content in the water (solved by water changes) and/or lighting that is very high or on for long periods (10-12 hours is enough, less if there are no live plants).

It's normal to have a little algae on the glass every week, and if you're doing water changes & normal lighting, a weekly cleaning with a cloth or sponge is usually all you need to keep it in check.

[Addict]

I don't use chemicals at all. No worries there. Everything is in check, so I can't complain much.

The reason I asked is because my plec in my 36g does an amazing job at cleaning the glass. There's no algae in that tank at all. I do, of course, supplement his diet with algae wafers & zucchini (his favorite!). Unfortunately all the plecs I've seen get too large for a 7.5g.

[beatle]

Otocinclus. They're cheap, stay small, and do a good job on algae. One should do the trick for your 7.5.