Algae Eater In Community 30 Gallon Long

[hunterwild1]

I'm trying to decide what would be a good algae eater for my tank I have a soft water and I like royal farolwella catfish but I'm just worried if I got one if he would out grow or not clean algae off my plants leaves because of being to big .down for any suggestions or tips thanks in advance

 

[Byron]

The first thing to determine is the algae.  There are many species of algae, and no fish will eat all of them, and some types of algae will not be eaten by any fish.  Are you referring to the common green algae that occurs in the biofilm on surfaces including plant leaves and is sometimes hard to see?  Or some form of problem algae like brush/beard?
 
Second, what is the tank size?  And what species of plants?
 
Royal Farlowella usually refers to the larger species in the genus Sturisoma, and these need larger tanks to begin with, plus they can devastate plants.  The much smaller common Twig Catfish in the genus Farlowella, which will usually be the species Farlowella vitatta, is a nice fish but some plants can show signs of this fish too.  I have had this species for many years, and raised several batches of fry.
 
Byron.

 

[hunterwild1]

It's a 30 gallon long and it's hair algae on my caBomba plant and some on the glass

 

[Byron]

It's a 30 gallon long and it's hair algae on my caBomba plant and some on the glass

 
The tank size was in the title...sorry, missed that.  Anyway, to the algae...nothing will effectively eat this.  Problem algae is controlled by finding the balance of light (intensity and duration factor in this) and nutrient availability (natural and supplemented via fertilizers).
 
The balance is important in planted tanks as we need to keep the plants relatively algae-free.  Different plants require different levels of light and nutrients, but if either is too much or too little, algae will take advantage.  Why one type of algae predominates in this tank and a different type in another tank is not always easy to ascertain; this can occur even among several tanks in the same fish room with near-identical factors.
 
I may be able to suggest something but I will need to have the data on your tank lighting, plants and fertilizers if any.  A photo of the tank and one of the plants with the algae will also help.  Just to ensure we are talking about the same algae, photos below are of hair algae.
 
Byron.

 

[hunterwild1]

Mines just starting so idk if a picture would help but ya it looks like that at the moment it's a bit more thin but I just want to keep it in control it looks more thread like at the moment

 

[Byron]

Mines just starting so idk if a picture would help but ya it looks like that at the moment it's a bit more thin but I just want to keep it in control it looks more thread like at the moment

 
Could be thread algae too.  Anyway, the control as I mentioned is finding the balance, so data on your lighting and fertilizers will help.

 

[StevenF]

I don't know of any fish that will eat it.  however I have seen good information indicating Amano shrimp will eat it.  Your pictures look exactly like what I had and i found I had high phosphate levels (about 2000 on my first use of phosphate test kit).  In my case I found it was caused by low nitrogen levels in my tank (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate were always zero).  Without nitrogen my plants could not absorb the phosphate.  Adding nitrogen fertilizer keeps the phoshate under control.  You could also try adjusting the on time of your lights.  most people have there lights on a timer and only on for 8 to 10 hours.