Which type of algae eater or bottom feeder would you recommend to help keep a peaceful 10g aquarium clean?
Algae Eater options?
- Thread starter Lisa
- Start date
Clean of what? Planted or unplanted? How many fish are in there now?
For algae, I rate fish a poor choice. Most algae eaters do so only when young, or only for certain types of algae. Many get way too large for a 10, and of those that stay small, oto's work hard but do best with specific types of algae and can be sensitive. Bristlenose are the next best choice, but contribute a lot to a bio-load--I wouldn't keep very many other fish in a small tank with one adult bristlenose. Many shrimp are better algae eaters, and contribute much less to the bio-load. Amanos top the list, and though there are other, better shrimp choices, ghost shrimp rank high as well due to their ready availability and low cost. Even better, look into the cause of any algae issues (photo period, lightin type, phosphates, new tank syndrome, over feeding, etc) and resolve them. Adding a few real plants is often the best solution--they compete with the algae for the nutrients, and are beneficial to the fish.
For waste, well, cleaning more often and improving mechanical filtration are your best bets. Ghost shrimp will help break down solid wastes (looking for undigested foods), but there are no fish that will clean up after it's tankmates.
For algae, I rate fish a poor choice. Most algae eaters do so only when young, or only for certain types of algae. Many get way too large for a 10, and of those that stay small, oto's work hard but do best with specific types of algae and can be sensitive. Bristlenose are the next best choice, but contribute a lot to a bio-load--I wouldn't keep very many other fish in a small tank with one adult bristlenose. Many shrimp are better algae eaters, and contribute much less to the bio-load. Amanos top the list, and though there are other, better shrimp choices, ghost shrimp rank high as well due to their ready availability and low cost. Even better, look into the cause of any algae issues (photo period, lightin type, phosphates, new tank syndrome, over feeding, etc) and resolve them. Adding a few real plants is often the best solution--they compete with the algae for the nutrients, and are beneficial to the fish.
For waste, well, cleaning more often and improving mechanical filtration are your best bets. Ghost shrimp will help break down solid wastes (looking for undigested foods), but there are no fish that will clean up after it's tankmates.
Thanks. I currently have three Guppies and plan to add a pair of Rams. There are both green and brown algae, mostly brown, on the silk plants and decor (no real plants in the tank). I am four weeks into cycling my tank.
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I wouldn't add anything until the tank has finished cycling, and then determine if you need to add a fish or can handle it on your own. Brown is usually diatoms, and wears itself out after an initial bloom. Green algae is easier to control with good maintenance and cleaning than with fish, IME.
For green algae on plants and glass I have Otocinclus catfish. They are small and two of them can live happily in a 10 gallon tank.
For hair or beard algae I have Flag Fish (Florida or American Flag Fish). They get up to 3 inches (or soi I have read). Mine are just about 2 inches.
Hair algae is caused by too much iron so as long as you do water changes and don't add lots of fertilizers or laterite (without burying it deep) you shouldn't have hair algae.
I personally have green water in less than a week in my Endler's breeding tank so I know algae can grow in a week even with frequent water changes. My algae is caused by a 75 watt compact fluorescent screw-in bulb over a 10 gallon tank with no CO2 or other fertilizers or phosphate reducer. Since the fish like green algae thick water, they are right at home.
For hair or beard algae I have Flag Fish (Florida or American Flag Fish). They get up to 3 inches (or soi I have read). Mine are just about 2 inches.
Hair algae is caused by too much iron so as long as you do water changes and don't add lots of fertilizers or laterite (without burying it deep) you shouldn't have hair algae.
I personally have green water in less than a week in my Endler's breeding tank so I know algae can grow in a week even with frequent water changes. My algae is caused by a 75 watt compact fluorescent screw-in bulb over a 10 gallon tank with no CO2 or other fertilizers or phosphate reducer. Since the fish like green algae thick water, they are right at home.
i got a CAE for my 10g(i konw i know 10") and i have never has to clean my glass. he was one of my first fish and i have never had a problem with algae so far