Newbies: think twice before getting an algae eater

[the loach]

It has become more or less common practice to get an "algae eater" in the tank to combat algae. This has not worked out very well for most people. 2 reasons:
Most "plecos" sold as algae eaters don't eat algae, or when they do grow up to 1 or 2 foot in length.

But even if you have a true algae eating fish that doesn't grow too large for a tank (like a bristlenose) the problem is a fish produces more algae as it can eat. How come?
The waste it produces comes back as different types of algae, and "algae eating" fish are highly specialized in 1 or 2 types of algae. Your aquarium is not a closed system where algae grow that are consumed by a fish, which waste grows the algae again it can eat, and so on. At some point the fish becomes too big, there aren't enough algae and you have to feed it, just causing more waste.

The only real method (beside manually cleaning the glass) is live plants. Get the right (low light) plants and conditions and the plants will outcompete the algae.
The formulae is light+fish waste=algae, or plant growth, your choice.
I have a whole bunch of tanks and none have algae, or an algae eater. It is really that simple.

 

[dahdahlv]

Very helpful, thank you.

 

[tanker]

This is true, Do not buy an animal to resolve an issue.

 

[the loach]

Much in the same vein, although luckily this seems now more a thing of the past, was the idea of buying small bottom dwellers such as Corydoras catfish as a "clean up" or "maintenance" crew, who would eat uneaten food and even fish droppings.

 

[OrionGirl]

Doing frequent water changes to keep the nutrients below where algae can thrive works as well, but in general, plants are the easier option, and beneficial to the animals in other ways.

Buying an animal for any reason other than a) really like that animal and want to keep it, b) food for another animal that you really like and want to keep and cannot feed any other way is just a bad plan. That holds true for all manner of 'worker' animals, from snails to dithers. Every animal added to a closed system has a footprint, even if it fills a need. This is basic biology--it's true in our tanks, it's true in the wild.

 

[the loach]

And if you don't take it from me, take it from Rachel O'Leary...
"Why cleaner fish are a bad idea"

Now, if she could do a video about goldfish in aquariums...

 

[Rbishop]

The "waste" doesn't "come back" as algae. It's the nutrients and photo period that creates the issue.