My tank has been set up for about a month. I have been cycling by adding ammonia, rasing the temp, and a biologial additive. These condintions although good for the bactera are also very good for the algae. I also have a full spectrum light so the algae likes that also. The tank is done cycling and now i am ready for my first fish which i would like to be an algae eater but which are ok with mbunas. Can they take the high ph and will the mbunas hurt it. The algae is everywhere the glass the rocks and not even on the sand i cant keep cleaning it off !!HELP!!
Good algae eaters for mbuna tank
- Thread starter luminomics
- Start date
Common plecos will usually work and are tough enough to defend a hole, if many and especially if flat. Primary drawback is the size. I saw a guy that had a bristlenose (not a dwarf) do ok-not a lot of rocks to fight over so everyone was hanging out in the middle of the 65 gal.
I wouldn't go with commons, after they get to a certain size they stop eating the algea.
Go with some bushy/bristlenose plecos, 2 should do you with that tank, they stay smaller and do a real good job eating up the algea.
Go with some bushy/bristlenose plecos, 2 should do you with that tank, they stay smaller and do a real good job eating up the algea.
Yep bristlenose are by far one of the better algae eating plecos.
And adding them first is great... because mbuna can be nasty and beat on the plecos sometimes. Having them in the tank first will reduce this since its already the pleco's territory.
How big is your tank? I would do maybe 1 per 35 or 40 gallons, seeing as they need enough space to find an adequate amount of algae. I have 1 in my 90 that does a decent job... but if i add 2 i bet they wouldnt find enough food.
Just make sure to acclimate them really well to the higher pH. Slowly... drip them in a bucket for at least 1/2 hour.
HTH
-Diana
And adding them first is great... because mbuna can be nasty and beat on the plecos sometimes. Having them in the tank first will reduce this since its already the pleco's territory.
How big is your tank? I would do maybe 1 per 35 or 40 gallons, seeing as they need enough space to find an adequate amount of algae. I have 1 in my 90 that does a decent job... but if i add 2 i bet they wouldnt find enough food.
Just make sure to acclimate them really well to the higher pH. Slowly... drip them in a bucket for at least 1/2 hour.
HTH
-Diana
i have Brown Algae on the walls and rocks and green algae on the sand and walls and i think i might have some Hair Algae growing but im not sure.