Algae Eater Needed... But Not A Plec?

[sparklefuzz]

I rehomed my gibbiceps plec a couple of weeks ago, and last week we bought a columbian zebra plec, who is only little and will remain so.... but the algae is building up badly on my 40 ukg, especially on the back of the tank. He is trying his best, bless him, but he is only managing to leave pretty teeth marks in the algae!! I really need to buy something that can keep my algae under control. My tank is a juwel with internal filtration plus a fluval 3 internal filter. I don't have live plants, I have sand substrate, the temp of the tank is 78 and the lights are on for 5 hours a day to try to minimise algae growth.. any suggestions?

Stocking is:

4 angelfish
5 corydoras
6 harlequins
1 plec, as mentioned.
1 apple snail (I always forget the snail.) LOL

Help!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

A couple of otto's should help keep it down. But IMHO the best way to reduce algae is to put live plants in, if you've none then the algae has nothing to compete for the nutrients so of course it's going to thrive, an no fish will ever keep it completely clean. A combination of a few algae eating fish and plenty of live plants should help keep it to a minimum.

 

[sophos9]

A couple of otto's should help keep it down. But IMHO the best way to reduce algae is to put live plants in, if you've none then the algae has nothing to compete for the nutrients so of course it's going to thrive, an no fish will ever keep it completely clean. A combination of a few algae eating fish and plenty of live plants should help keep it to a minimum.

Some Ottos or if you want something smaller then you could go for a couple of Ancistrus (bristle nose plecs) if you dont like the look of the things that grow out of their face then get females!!

HTH

 

[lozronz]

What about CROSSOCHEILUS SIAMENSIS - Siamese algae eater. for something a bit different? http/www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_sae.php tells you a bit about them.

Never had one but was considering getting one they look quite sweet. Trimar has some at the moment.

 

[sparklefuzz]

What about CROSSOCHEILUS SIAMENSIS - Siamese algae eater. for something a bit different? http/www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_sae.php tells you a bit about them.

Never had one but was considering getting one they look quite sweet. Trimar has some at the moment.

I read somewhere not to get those... but I can't remember why??

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

A couple of otto's should help keep it down. But IMHO the best way to reduce algae is to put live plants in, if you've none then the algae has nothing to compete for the nutrients so of course it's going to thrive, an no fish will ever keep it completely clean. A combination of a few algae eating fish and plenty of live plants should help keep it to a minimum.

Yes i agree with you, live plants are a cheap and attractive way of using up the excess nutrients in your tank which would otherwise fuel algae problems.
Cutting down on the amount of hours the tank lights are left on will also help too .

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

Get a phosphate remover, like rowa phospate remover or Advanced Aquatics no-Phos I highly recommend the last. Place in a filter bag and add to your filter. And hey presto no more algae problems!

 

[my fat fish]

hehe a simple way of removing algae from ya trank if u got 10 mins everyother day is get and alge magnet and scrape some of it off works a treat on mine and your plecs will be able 2 eat off you orniments untill you get your plants

 

[dthoffsett]

I tried a phosphate remover (one that goes in the filter) and it worked really well. That would be the cheap alternative to plants if you're like me and kill every plant you put in your tank.

 

[gizmo001i]

CROSSOCHEILUS SIAMENSIS are fantastic fish at getting rid of algae and they are very compatible in community tanks. What you may have read about are the CHINESE ALGAE EATERS which once they grow, tend to stop eating algae and become terrotrial towards other fish. The Chinese Algae Eater is often confused with the Siamese Algae Eater and many people end up buying the wrong one. However if you read up on them and ensure that your LFS has the correct fish, then I highly recommend them. I have 3 in my tank and they cleared all the algae within a few days. They are also great fish to watch as they seem to love playing with each other and have fantastic characters.

 

[sparklefuzz]

CROSSOCHEILUS SIAMENSIS are fantastic fish at getting rid of algae and they are very compatible in community tanks. What you may have read about are the CHINESE ALGAE EATERS which once they grow, tend to stop eating algae and become terrotrial towards other fish. The Chinese Algae Eater is often confused with the Siamese Algae Eater and many people end up buying the wrong one. However if you read up on them and ensure that your LFS has the correct fish, then I highly recommend them. I have 3 in my tank and they cleared all the algae within a few days. They are also great fish to watch as they seem to love playing with each other and have fantastic characters.

Aha, that will be it. Thanks for the info. Is there a fool-proof way to ensure I am buying the right kind? Also, how many should I be buying?

 

[wendywc]

If you don't mind 4 or 5 livebearers, my mollies and platies have always pecked at the algae in my tank and have kept the tank clean from the stuff.