Small Algae Eater Needed

My BN plecos don't hardly bother with algae. They will eat their algae wafers, but also shrimp pellets, bloodworms, cucumbers, and anything else that goes into their tank. To me, they are not really good for algae clean-up. You could get you one of those magnetic algae scrubbers. I just think plecos have been misnamed as an algae eater. Of course if that is all they have to eat, they will rather than starve, but I like mine well fed and happy. The happier they are, the more babies they give me, lol.
 
How long has our tank been established? Brown algae (diatom) is usually a sign of an immature tank maturing or of a lightening/cleaning problem.

I'd first try cleaning your tank twice as frequently, or doubling the water replacement each time, adding live floating plants like water sprite, and only after those don't work I'd think about fish/snails.

Otos may not like your water if it's too hard, but they specialize in diatom algae. Mollies do eat a decent amount of algae, but I've not seen them eat off glass...although they will pick at any patches big enough to rip off and eat.

Eric
 
Jayhawk said:
How long has our tank been established? Brown algae (diatom) is usually a sign of an immature tank maturing or of a lightening/cleaning problem.

I'd first try cleaning your tank twice as frequently, or doubling the water replacement each time, adding live floating plants like water sprite, and only after those don't work I'd think about fish/snails.

Otos may not like your water if it's too hard, but they specialize in diatom algae. Mollies do eat a decent amount of algae, but I've not seen them eat off glass...although they will pick at any patches big enough to rip off and eat.

Eric
Click to expand...

This was my question too. Brown algae pops up in every single new tank that has ever been established. It's a right of passage. Then, assuming your tank is fine otherwise, disappears virtually overnight.
 
I too have to ask what size tank this is. I just assumed it was one of the small ones you have listed; 2 & 5 gallon tanks.

Try the Otto fish again if you like. I know that Ramshorn snails will take care of the cleaning. I've seen my Red Cherry shrimp clean off brown diatoms, but the snails make short work of it.

I have a tank that's been established for over 4 years. If I leave the light on for 8 hrs., perhaps two or three days a week, I will get brown diatom build up on the silk plants.
I normally leave this light off, but with all of my other tanks being planted, I sometimes forget to go back and shut it off. It doesn't take much to start the brown algae up.

I recommend leaving your light off unless you are viewing the tank.
 
Jayhawk said:
How long has our tank been established? Brown algae (diatom) is usually a sign of an immature tank maturing or of a lightening/cleaning problem.

I'd first try cleaning your tank twice as frequently, or doubling the water replacement each time, adding live floating plants like water sprite, and only after those don't work I'd think about fish/snails.

Eric
Click to expand...
Yup this is what I was told.Before you go out and buy algae eating fish and adding to your bioload and possibly the problem in its self. Try to figure out what could be causing it like lights or water parameters and see if u yourself can get it to stop or at least keep it manageable.Lots of us have to wipe algae off are plants and sides from time to time.Another thing is after u get something to eat the algae it might not grow back fast enough for them to feed.So now u will be adding more food to the tank to support them.
 
I keep my BN well fed, and he still does a good job with the brown algae. (I have two p. diffusa to feed as well, and they eat what the BN eats, and they don't eat algae). Maybe my tank is just maturing, and not getting as much brown algae, but I think some of it is my BN eating it up too, I've watched him (or her, too young to tell) go at it.

Emily
 
Since I added another canister filter I've noticed almost 0 algae growth. My Sailfin Pleco takes care of the glass,rocks, and wood but my plastic plants would be covered in a weeks time. I had suspected the phosphate levels were high so now I'm using carbon in the second canister. I know I could've put carbon in the one I had but you can't have too much filtration, right. Anyway, high phosphates could be your issue. Are you using chemical filtration?

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Yea the tank is the 5 gallon I forgot to mention that. And the tank is matured because its been running for about 15 months now. The water parameters are all okay so that checked out okay. Also the water may be high in phosphates I'm not sure. And yea I use carbon in my aquaclear 20 HOB. The tank does receive a lot of sunlight so that may be a big cause too but I can't move it anywhere else unfortunately. So if I got 3 or 4 otos would they do okay in the hard water?


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