Best Algae Eater?

[twb716]

All:

I am interested in buying some algae eaters and bottom feeders for a 30gal. goldfish tank with medium gravel substrate. The tank does not have a heater, or cooling system so any fish that are added have to not only be hardy enough to withstand room temperature fluctuations, but also have to be hardy enough to live with a few goldfish.
Water changes twice weekly totaling 60%. Any suggestions/information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

TB

 

[geoffgarcia]

a crayfish would hang with that crew and not damage them to much depending on its size...even at 2" it would be hard pressed to tackle an equal sized goldfish (speaking from experience)

 

[TKOS]

A crayfish won't do much for algae and while not able to kill a godlfish (probably) could easily rip fins. If you are having algae problems in a goldfish tank, more than likely it is due to excess nutrients and too few water changes. It will probably be best to try and control algae before thinking about adding another fish.

 

[anonapersona]

The best algea eater for a goldfish tank is a goldfish!

Just scrape the glass and leave the algae in the tank, the goldfish will love you for it, it is like cotten candy to them! If you can, leave the back wall covered in green algae, they will graze all day long.

 

[yzakj]

Isn't changing the water twice weekly pretty often? I think I am having problems with algea too and the snails are doing jack squat. WEAKSAUCE. I had some Oto's before and I think they did a pretty good job, but I think they died because I stopped feeding them algea wafers. I thought they never ate it so I stopped because I didn't want to pollute, but I guess they did..

 

[Harlock]

Isn't changing the water twice weekly pretty often?

You'd think so, huh? TKOS omitted some simpler things.

1. Algae has to have a food source
2. If it is growing, it is getting nutrients
3. Nutrients for algae most often take the form of excess food and fish waste.
4. Direct sunlight or too much light in general can help algae grow

So, when he was saying avoid adding a fish, he was saying avoid ADDING to your problem. The problem is not the algae itself, but what causes the algae. So, treat the problem, not the symptoms. Try bumping up the water changes to 50% twice a week and see what that does. Maybe make sure your gravel vac is doing the job of picking up the waste and isn't missing too much of it. Make sure you are not overfeeding. See if there is a way to lower the photo period (how long the light is on) of your tank. By doing these simple things first you can likely clear up your algae problem and not add to it by increasng the things that cause algage in the first place by adding a fish. Hope that helps and good luck.

 

[TKOS]

Also I would test your change water. Perhaps it is high in nitrates. If that is the case then each water change will actually be feeding the algae and another solution will be needed. Eliminate the cause first.

 

[Vyper]

I agree treating the cause of the algae is far better than adding fish to get rid of it, however I just wanted to pick up on one point if you were looking to add extra fish to your tank, then you could add a heater and thus expand your choice of algae eatters. I've had goldfish in 78F for years without problems, plus providing your not overstocked you could then add say ghost shrimp or something similar which are excellent bottom feeders and do graze on algae and any uneatten food etc. However as I say I'd sort the problem with the algae out yourself instead of relying on fish to do the job for you.

 

[geoffgarcia]

A crayfish won't do much for algae and while not able to kill a godlfish (probably) could easily rip fins.

I agree 100%...but it was the best animal I could think of that could handle such an environment. Especially given their ability as a scavenger to pick up random crud all around the tank.

Snails would be another option.