When Is Algae A Problem?????

[scott foster]

I am still new at this. However my 12 cichlids in my 55gal. seem so healthy I dont want to change that. I keep the glass cleaned on the inside with the magnet thing and wand and the water stays crystil clear (got pretty good filters). But my rock decor is getting covered in green algae. At this point it actually looks good. But is it bad for the fish? I dont want to put any chemicals in there! All the algae eating fish creep me out! At what point should I take out rocks and clean them? Is the algae hurting the fish?

 

[sarcare]

You could get some snails to eat the algae and cut back on your light. I don't know that algae is a problem unless you have plants, and then it is competing with them for nutrients. Personally I don't think fish care as long as the water conditions are good--so as long as you don't have too much nitrates a little algae probably wont hurt.

 

[scott foster]

You could get some snails to eat the algae and cut back on your light. I don't know that algae is a problem unless you have plants, and then it is competing with them for nutrients. Personally I don't think fish care as long as the water conditions are good--so as long as you don't have too much nitrates a little algae probably wont hurt.

HMMMMMMM Snails? I have never thought abought that.....Any certin kind? B.T.W. no plants.,,,,,,,,,Snails? HMMMM I could deal with a few of them. Did you know some people actually eat snails? :thud: I have never thought about snails in my aquarium. And I have never thought about eating them. However I have steped on a few in my life time........SNAILS????HMMMMMMM What kind? They seem like they would be kinda cool in there. Just the word "SNAIL" is cool when you think about it.

 

[sarcare]

I have mystery snails aka brigs. They are cool to have in a tank, but for the larger kinds of snails you have to feed them other stuff besides just algae. I feed mine zucchini that I've zapped in the microwave and some veggie pellets. They also clean up any extra food that might be laying around. Plus they are big enough that they aren't as likely to be eaten.

 

[scott foster]

I have mystery snails aka brigs. They are cool to have in a tank, but for the larger kinds of snails you have to feed them other stuff besides just algae. I feed mine zucchini that I've zapped in the microwave and some veggie pellets. They also clean up any extra food that might be laying around. Plus they are big enough that they aren't as likely to be eaten.

HMMMMM would salt water snails be the best thing for my 20gal. saltwater tank to eat food that ends up on bottom? No algae problem in this tank. I was thinking about a hermit or something like that......................I dont know why but I have never thought about snails for anything........However I am ashamed to admit when I was a kid I used to pour salt on them after a rain when I would see them on pourch.

 

[scott foster]

HMMMMM would salt water snails be the best thing for my 20gal. saltwater tank to eat food that ends up on bottom? No algae problem in this tank. I was thinking about a hermit or something like that......................I dont know why but I have never thought about snails for anything........However I am ashamed to admit when I was a kid I used to pour salt on them after a rain when I would see them on pourch.

I just went to get snails for algae......And the lady told me the snails are only good for algae on glass and the african cichlids would torture them anyway................So I am back to square one.... :help: ...HELP? SOMEBODY.ANYBODY.HELP? :hang:

 

[dorkfish]

Unless it comes to the point where your neglecting yiour fish, it's pretty much harmless, with the exception of some types of cycano bacteria.

 

[Mr SnailZ]

African cichlids are hit and miss with snails. If your fish are especially nippy then I would stay away from snails. I do know many people who keep african chichlids with snails with no problems though. If you have no live plants I would suggest getting a few large cana snails. They grow to softball size and will absolutely devour all your algae, not only on the glass but everywhere. If you check eBay you will find a few auctions. Search for "giant snails". I have never once had to clean algae out of any of my snail tanks. Brigs do a good job as well but only reach golfball size but do come in a wide array of colors. They are not quite as good at eating algae but still do a decent job. They don't eat live plants like canas either so are better suited in non-planted aquariums. Feel free to pm me if you have any other questions.

As far as feeding snails go think of them as plecos. Plecos can't survive on algae alone. Snails have pretty much an identical diet as plecos and love the occasional veggie treat.

 

[webcricket]

You could throw in some common pond snails. Any pet store would give you some for free, so no loss if they get eaten. They are considered a "pest" by some people, but they sure can keep a tank clean! They take care of the glass, gravel, and plastic plants. Of course, once you have them, you're probably not going to get rid of them...

 

[Mr SnailZ]

IMO pond snails are a nuisance and should never intentionally be introduced into a tank. They do little to help a tank and overpopulate. Their reproduction is hard to control. Go with larger apple snails, you will thank yourself later.