Otto Bioload?

Fangirl

Fangirl

AC Members
Jan 14, 2005
143
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Tennessee
How much bioload does an Otto add to a tank? I have been having some alagae growth and would like a low-bioload algae-eater to help out. I don't want to overload my tank though, as I seem to have reached a nice balance right now. I know that Ottos are sensitive, as I have had a few caualties in the past. Thanks for any advice!

29 gallon tank
fake plants
3 Corys
2 upside-down catfish
4 tetras (forget the type, but about 1.5 inches in size)
3 Red-Velvet Swordtails
4 Whiteclouds (1 generic, 3 golden)
 
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It is a Penguin 170 Biowheel. The only problem I am having is a build-up of some algae on the glass, plastic plants/ornaments, gravel, and the glass for the light. I think that the Corys are taking care of any "garbage" on the floor, as they are very fat and spend all day hanging out together under their fake shrub.
 
Thanks for the continuing advice. I do indeed have my tank light on a timer, but I suppose I could set it to fewer hours. I do a 50% water change with a gravel-vac and wall scrubbing once a week. I don't overfeed. I agree that just a bit of algae will multiple quickly, but I can't seem to get rid of all of it. I think Ottos are really cool and fun to watch. When I had them before, I was fascinated with watching the little hoovers clean away. I especially like thier little round bellies. All in all, I am more concerned with the potential bio-load overload than with whether the ottos will make my tank appreciably cleaner.
 
You might be able to find some sort of snail that will help combat your algae problem and I do not think that they would contribute much to your bio-load.
 
i added oto's to my 20 when i had brn algae issues. I tried reduced light, no light, reduced feeeding etc..found out that i had diatom algae..added three oto's..no more brn algae issues..matter of fact these lil guys are so good at it..I move rocks and ornaments from other tanks into their tank to feed them..i found out these lil guys don't care much for algae tabs...
I can't put them in my 55 which has 2 breeding pairs of angels..which killed the last three otos in that tank.

i guess you need to compare what you have in the tank and decide if it can handle a few oto's (smallfish btw)
i don't find the oto's increase the bioloads in my tanks all that much.
 
carttman said:
You might be able to find some sort of snail that will help combat your algae problem and I do not think that they would contribute much to your bio-load.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I know my brigs poop up a storm, so I think they're actually kinda messy. But maybe other sorts of snails are cleaner?
 
Well, today I went and bought three little Otos. They are so cute. They are a bit scared still though, and are staying toward the back of the tank. They have been going all over the rocks, fake plants, glass walls, and tubing. Fun to watch. Tomorrow, I will go out and buy them a zuchini.
 
Remember though a little bit of algae is very good.(it's just when its soup when it's bad)
 
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