Clean up crew suggestions

Ryanstech

Ryanstech

AC Members
Feb 4, 2007
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Chicago, IL
www.ryanvejr.com
I've got a 20g long tank with 2 GBR's and right now it's just got some java moss growing. Soon it will be lightly planted. Since adding another light to prepare for more plants algae has began to build. I'm looking for a peaceful cleanup crew to add. Bristle nose pleco? inverts? other Suggestions?
 
I have never used them, but everyone says CAE's are the best at what they do.

Pond snails do a pretty good job cleaning up (or ramshorn/MTS)

I'd also get a ghost shrimp or a few. I started with 6 and now have one, they all got eaten within 1 month of me getting them, except the one. He sifts through my gravel all day long looking for scraps of food, they don't eat algae. They also might become a snack.
 
you meant SAE (Siamese algae eaters), not CAE. do not get them confused if you go to the store looking for SAE's
 
SAE's would be too large for your tank. Best bet is to try to alter your lighting/fertilizer schedule along with an algae scrubber to erradicate the algae. If that fails than you could try a bristlenose pleco or olive nerite snails.....
 
Just scrub it off it you have unwanted algae.

I have an apple snail and an oto in my tank, and the algae on the sides makes it kinda hard to see in the tank sometime, but I took the scrubber off because I am essentially farming the algae for them to eat, so my oto will get fat and happy. My point is, I have algae because I have things that eat it, not the other way around. Livestock is actually pretty terrible at tank care, so if you don't want the algae, reduce your light time, put in more plants, or just scrub it off. :thm:

Plecos don't eat algae so well. They will if they are starving, but they don't get to be 2 ft in the Amazon by eating algae! They actually have a rather complex and varied diet.
 
thanks for all the advice guys. I'm sure things will improve once I add some more of the plants, scrub the tank a bit and possibly reduce the lighting if needed. Just curious what other people had in mind.
 
Ancistrus sp. and Beufortia sp. will keep your glass and larger leafed plants clean. Meanwhile, Some snails will eat your plants. These guys won't for the most part so long as they have algae and a bit of food now and then. You may want to put in a small peice of drift wood if you go with an Ancistrus sp. for digestion.

Otocinclus sp. will all do a good job of cleaning up algae on driftwood and some plants. They can get shy though, esp. if you're breeding two GBR's in that tank. Amano shrimp (Caradini japonica if i'm not mistaken) are a popular choice for keeping algae off the plants.

GBR's pick at the bottom naturally (mic(k)rogeophagus = small earth eating), so they'll help with things any of the above species are picky about.

Outside of that, you're in to the world of algae control. Various types have various treatments. Good water quality always helps.
 
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