Algae eater recommendations

Siamese

I have had great success with Siamese algae eaters, if you can find them. I had to order from Arizona Aquatic gardens.
 
echoofformless said:
Smaller plecs are a joy to keep and if algae is an excuse to buy one, use that as the excuse.

Don't let derisive negative people talk you out of it.
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It's not so much trying to talk someone out of it, as opposed to helping them learn something. If they have brown algae, after the silicates are used up they will need to suplament the fish's diet. People buy the fish in the idea it will just live off of algae in thier tank forever(or possible off any flake food that sinks to the bottom). They should get a fish because they like it, or at least understand it's needs beyond the temporary algea controll. With algeas that thrive in high nitrate environments, you have signs that the tank is not being maintained prorperly. Adding another large fish(I use large rather loosely here) will only add to the overall problem while masking the indicators that the problem exists.
 
Smaller plecs are a joy to keep and if algae is an excuse to buy one, use that as the excuse.

Don't let derisive negative people talk you out of it.
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Okay. . .

Sure, go get one of those nice cheap black plecos at Wal-mart. . .it'll eat all your algae real quick! It usually gets over 2 feet long, but don't worry, if your tank is too small or you don't feed it, it'll just die before it can get too big and cause problems. Maybe it'll just 'grow to the size of the tank' and stay 3 inches long forever.

Is that the kind of information i should be giving out? Many people are not aware of the needs of plecos because so many of them are touted for their algae eating abilities, completely overlooking their other needs and requirements. You can't get a clown pleco for algae control in a tank with no wood, you can't get a common for a 10g, you can't get a vampire and try to just feed it veggies. you shouldn't get any pleco and expect it to just eat the algae. if you like plecos, do some research and get one. if you have an algae problem, do a water change.
 
I agree with the people recommending ottocinculus. They stay under 2 inches (unlike most plecos) so they won't bioload your tank and won't out grow it. AND you can supplement their feedings with an algae wafer ever few days after the algae is gone.

Problem with plecos is a lot of them don't eat algae, or only eat algae as a part of their diet. Actually, most plecos also need a protein source or, as wataugachicken so aptly pointed out, other things like wood.
 
wataugachicken said:
Okay. . .

Sure, go get one of those nice cheap black plecos at Wal-mart. . .it'll eat all your algae real quick! It usually gets over 2 feet long, but don't worry, if your tank is too small or you don't feed it, it'll just die before it can get too big and cause problems. Maybe it'll just 'grow to the size of the tank' and stay 3 inches long forever.

Is that the kind of information i should be giving out? Many people are not aware of the needs of plecos because so many of them are touted for their algae eating abilities, completely overlooking their other needs and requirements. You can't get a clown pleco for algae control in a tank with no wood, you can't get a common for a 10g, you can't get a vampire and try to just feed it veggies. you shouldn't get any pleco and expect it to just eat the algae. if you like plecos, do some research and get one. if you have an algae problem, do a water change.
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Another one of those moments where people don't read what you write.

I said smaller pleco, not the sort that will grow huge. I do believe that the information regarding common plecos was well covered earlier in this thread. Therefore I assume the person asking the question is intelligent enough to understand that I am referring to those said pleco species.

The needs of plecos and advice to this person regarding their care and feeding was well covered already. 'Twould have been silly for me to sit there typing all of that information again. Again, I would assume that if the person is looking for information they are reading every post. At least I hope so. Thus naturally I saw no reason to rehash all that was already said just so as to avoid being flamed. But on this board I guess that's just a given.

I was posting in response to those people who were throwing poo at the idea of buying a species simply for algae control. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with that at all; so long as you are aware of the fish's needs and if you can meet them.
 
wataugachicken said:
Okay. . .

Sure, go get one of those nice cheap black plecos at Wal-mart. . .it'll eat all your algae real quick! It usually gets over 2 feet long, but don't worry, if your tank is too small or you don't feed it, it'll just die before it can get too big and cause problems. Maybe it'll just 'grow to the size of the tank' and stay 3 inches long forever.

Is that the kind of information i should be giving out? Many people are not aware of the needs of plecos because so many of them are touted for their algae eating abilities, completely overlooking their other needs and requirements. You can't get a clown pleco for algae control in a tank with no wood, you can't get a common for a 10g, you can't get a vampire and try to just feed it veggies. you shouldn't get any pleco and expect it to just eat the algae. if you like plecos, do some research and get one. if you have an algae problem, do a water change.
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:thud: :thud: :thud: :thud: google "fish stunting" to know what happens when a fish does not grow to its proper size in home aquaria.


now, for your size of tank, i would only get a snail or get the BEST most EFFICIENT algea eater around...... *drum roll*

THE ALGEA SCARPER! they dont take up andy bioload and they arent EPM like plecos and otos can be (EPM= Extreme Poop Machine). IMO, your tank is just to small for any type of algea eating fish, for a tank of 10 gallons wont have enough for a team of ottos, not to mention not enough room.
 
jm1212 said:
:thud: :thud: :thud: :thud: google "fish stunting" to know what happens when a fish does not grow to its proper size in home aquaria.


now, for your size of tank, i would only get a snail or get the BEST most EFFICIENT algea eater around...... *drum roll*

THE ALGEA SCARPER! they dont take up andy bioload and they arent EPM like plecos and otos can be (EPM= Extreme Poop Machine). IMO, your tank is just to small for any type of algea eating fish, for a tank of 10 gallons wont have enough for a team of ottos, not to mention not enough room.
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I second the algae scraper notion. And also the idea of checking out things like light balance, plant mass, and water chemistry.

But I disagree on the otos. They can live happily in a ten gallon tank. In fact I keep a pair in my five gallon tank and not only do they live long, but they live happy. Otos don't get large, nor are they properly a schooling fish...so any tank at a minimum of ten gallons is perfectly sufficient for keeping a satisfied pair of otos.
 
Do NOT worry about it... if you get a common pl*co, you can trade him in for credit at a LFS if he gets too big. People pay big bucks for big pl*cos.. mainly to put in with BIG agressive fish. My LFS can't keep them in stock... and he tried to stock the full size 20+" guys!

Some will say this is wrong.. but it's that's personal opinion. I've been in situations that my fish have gotten too big or caused enough trouble that I had to trade them in.. I don't LIKE to do it, but I've done it.

And the small plecos will take a while to grow... depending on the tank size and the amount of food, he could stay with you for a year or more.
 
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