Algae Clean Up And Other Stock Advice Requested

[Rhindon]

Hi all,

I am looking for something small that will help with algae and general clean up in my tank. I am re-homing the two small algae eaters I now have (rubber lip pleco and Chinese algae eater) as it seems they will just get too big.

I am also going to put in some low light plants at some point. Please see my tank info below and let me know what you think will work for algae.

37 U.S. gallon tank with Fluval 204 canister filter
3 Black Skirt Tetras
8 Neon Tetras (currently 2)
1 Marble Angelfish

I will not be upping the shoal on the black skirt tetra as I am looking to add a difference species as they die off. What kind of other fish might you suggest and what to take care of the algae?

Thanks in advance

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Nirate snails a few cherry shrimp would go nice

 

[Rhindon]

Great. Any new fish species?

 

[ShinyCard255]

BN Pleco would work. They only get to be 4" long

 

[ZoddyZod]

Your angel will probably munch any cherry shrimp.

Algae is a sign that the tank is not balanced. What lights do you have and how long are they on for?

What sort of algae are you experiencing?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Your angel will probably munch any cherry shrimp.

Algae is a sign that the tank is not balanced. What lights do you have and how long are they on for?

What sort of algae are you experiencing?

+1 Well spotted mate a saw marble and thought of hatchets not angels

 

[Rhindon]

Your angel will probably munch any cherry shrimp.

Algae is a sign that the tank is not balanced. What lights do you have and how long are they on for?

What sort of algae are you experiencing?

Good to know.

Tank is 30" wide by 23.75" tall x 12 deep and has 17 watt 24" bulb across the top. The light is on about 10 hours of the day. I am looking to plant this tank.

The algae is green and difficult to get off the side of the tank.

Water parameters with API Master kit are pH 7.4, Ammonia 0.0, Nitrite 0.0, and Nitrate 5.0

 

[ZoddyZod]

Although your light is not powerful, having it running for 10hrs with no plants to out compete the algae is probably the problem. 8hrs or less might help until you get some plants. Even then 8hrs or is plenty.

 

[Rhindon]

Although your light is not powerful, having it running for 10hrs with no plants to out compete the algae is probably the problem. 8hrs or less might help until you get some plants. Even then 8hrs or is plenty.

Going to plant the tank, if I can make it work. Still cut down to 8 hours a day on the lights though?

 

[ZoddyZod]

Going to plant the tank, if I can make it work. Still cut down to 8 hours a day on the lights though?

yes, the long photoperiod and the excess of nutrients (created from waste waste) is most likely the cause of your algae. Cut the lights down to 8hrs and see how it goes.

 

[Rhindon]

Ok, did a 50% water change and scraped off most of the algae last night and will add the new neons and a plant or two over the weekend most likely. Anything I need to do or be aware of when adding the plants?

Should I get more powerful lighting for the plants?

 

[ZoddyZod]

Ok, did a 50% water change and scraped off most of the algae last night and will add the new neons and a plant or two over the weekend most likely. Anything I need to do or be aware of when adding the plants?

Should I get more powerful lighting for the plants?

if they are stems, then make sure you spread them out and don't clump them altogether (remove them from any lead weights etc. first).

as for the lighting requirements, it all depends on the plant. I'd do a bit of research first and try and find plants that are ok in low-light. Java ferns or anubias would possibly be ok.