Hair algae is starting to become a nussance in my 15 gallon tank, I was wondering what you guys considered to be the best Algae eater for this type of algae.
Die Algae!
- Thread starter GobyGuy5
- Start date
otos...... but it depends on the other fish present.
a farlowella or bristlenose would probably be better with aggressive type fish. common plecos have been known to eat it too i think.
edit: oops, skip the commons by a long shot, they get way too big. sorry, didn't notice the tank size.
a farlowella or bristlenose would probably be better with aggressive type fish. common plecos have been known to eat it too i think.
edit: oops, skip the commons by a long shot, they get way too big. sorry, didn't notice the tank size.
Before we tackle the algae, lets find the source of the problem =)
What kind of tank are you running? Plants? or fish only?
If its plants, please tell us how much lighting you are using, your fertillizing routine, and whether or not you inject CO2.
For both kinds of tanks, we're gonna need to know what kind of inhabitants are in the tank, what kind of filtration you are using, and info on any source of light this tank may be exposed to.
There are a few algae eaters that will eat hair algae. However, the only thing that comes to mind for such a small tank are C. japonica shrimp (aka. algae eating shrimp, amano shrimp, etc.). The only problem with using shrimp for algae control is that you are going to need a horde of them, plus they only work if you can cut back on whatever is causing the algae. Shrimp work great, but only if the algae is somewhat under control.
American Flagfish will eat hair algae like noodles, and SAEs (siamese algae eaters) will eat them as well (as long as there is no other food sources around). American Flagfish may work in a 15 gallon tank, _IF_ they are the only fish in there. SAEs will outgrow a 15 gallon tank (as they can reach sizes of 6 inches).
I would like to repeat... finding the cause of the algae, and eliminating that is always better than adding algae eaters to a tank. Preventing algae before it starts doesn't add any kind of bioload to your tank, while adding an algae eater does.
*edit*
Oh, btw... I don't recall hearing about any kind of pleco, or oto that eat hair algae.
HTH
-Richer
What kind of tank are you running? Plants? or fish only?
If its plants, please tell us how much lighting you are using, your fertillizing routine, and whether or not you inject CO2.
For both kinds of tanks, we're gonna need to know what kind of inhabitants are in the tank, what kind of filtration you are using, and info on any source of light this tank may be exposed to.
There are a few algae eaters that will eat hair algae. However, the only thing that comes to mind for such a small tank are C. japonica shrimp (aka. algae eating shrimp, amano shrimp, etc.). The only problem with using shrimp for algae control is that you are going to need a horde of them, plus they only work if you can cut back on whatever is causing the algae. Shrimp work great, but only if the algae is somewhat under control.
American Flagfish will eat hair algae like noodles, and SAEs (siamese algae eaters) will eat them as well (as long as there is no other food sources around). American Flagfish may work in a 15 gallon tank, _IF_ they are the only fish in there. SAEs will outgrow a 15 gallon tank (as they can reach sizes of 6 inches).
I would like to repeat... finding the cause of the algae, and eliminating that is always better than adding algae eaters to a tank. Preventing algae before it starts doesn't add any kind of bioload to your tank, while adding an algae eater does.
*edit*
Oh, btw... I don't recall hearing about any kind of pleco, or oto that eat hair algae.
HTH
-Richer
it's either them or the mystery snails doing it in my 29g richer, unless my algae guess is totally off..... no one did answer my question about what type it was........
i'm going to retract the earlier advice offered in favor of richers post tho...... his approach is the best way.
stepping aside for richer on this...... like i admitted his approach is the right way.
i'm going to retract the earlier advice offered in favor of richers post tho...... his approach is the best way.
stepping aside for richer on this...... like i admitted his approach is the right way.
He did say that it was hair algae... no big deal though, I've been known to skip over things when I'm reading.
As far as eating other types of algae, otos and plecos (certain types) do a great job. =)
-Richer
Thank you for responding,
I hope I can remember all those questions, first of all I have live plants and fish in the tank, I am not injecting Co2, I am no longer fertilizing at all, the bioload is still fairly low, It is lit by a single 15watt fixture, I am using a Marineland Penguin 125 with a biowheel (so no undergravel filters) and to get to greater detail the fish are,
3 1.5" Platies
1 1" Bumble Bee Goby
1 1.75" Clown Loach
The following are Planned (in addition to the Algae-eater):
2 Blue Rams
1 Apistogramma Aggazzi
Oops, forgot to mention something I know that preventing algae is better than attempting to erradicate it once it does take over a tank, but I was more interested in trying to keep it in check than completely wiping it out, I don't think I have set myself up for an algae disaster, so I figured an algae eater would help control the algae that I do get
I hope I can remember all those questions, first of all I have live plants and fish in the tank, I am not injecting Co2, I am no longer fertilizing at all, the bioload is still fairly low, It is lit by a single 15watt fixture, I am using a Marineland Penguin 125 with a biowheel (so no undergravel filters) and to get to greater detail the fish are,
3 1.5" Platies
1 1" Bumble Bee Goby
1 1.75" Clown Loach
The following are Planned (in addition to the Algae-eater):
2 Blue Rams
1 Apistogramma Aggazzi
Oops, forgot to mention something I know that preventing algae is better than attempting to erradicate it once it does take over a tank, but I was more interested in trying to keep it in check than completely wiping it out, I don't think I have set myself up for an algae disaster, so I figured an algae eater would help control the algae that I do get
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There are various types of Cichlids that will eat hair algae... Geophagus Jurupari being one (Too big however)... Otos will prolly eat just about anything they can snack on... I've read that some snails do it to.. .
Now, I'm not familiar with the Cichlid you mentioned, and know that many Cichlids will eat algae, but I believe my tank is to small for any type of Cichlid but dwarfs, furthermore, I had tried to introduce otos to my tank, but they died (I saw the other recent post on them so I understand why) however, when they were in my tank they coexisted happily with the hair algae (They didn't eat it at all!)
Okay, so back to the original question, what would be the best hair algae eater for a 15 gallon aquarium?