Algae eaters?

[mhoward1999]

Hi ya'll, It's me again... I want to add an algae eater(s) to my tank, but I don't know what kind to get. I really don't want a common Pleco. I had my heart set on hillstream loaches, but I have been advised against them by several folks. In fact, i can't even order them locally, I'd have to do it online. My lfs guy (who is really nice and seems to know his stuff) said he thinks it may be our water hardness. It's 13 on the German scale straight out of the tap.

My question is, what would you suggest. I have a 55 gal tank with 2 fancy goldfish, a black moor, and a red telescope, all are 2-3 inches long. My tank is already cycled, but I am not seeing algae growth, yet. Just making plans...TIA!

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Hmmmm

Why have you been advised against hillstreams? I don't know much about water hardness right enough.

I think otos are ok in mild coldwater tanks, what temp is yours. I also know of people keeping rubber nosed plecs but I have never tried this.

I am sure Ryan will be able to help.

 

[ryan]

Right, Hillstream Loaches are fine except they eat micro organisms as the main part of their diet occassionally grazing on aglae. But by far and away the best fish is a new fella on the block, Garra Pingi pingi -

From another post of mine -

Garra pingi pingi has been showing up in a few aquarium stores, being sold as a pond fish. There is very little information about this Asian fish. From what I have gathered, it is similar in behavior and appearance to various loaches and "algae eaters." It is reported to eat algae but probably is opportunistic and from my experience this is true. At the moment it seems to be peaceful and active so..............

If you can get hold of any of these they are well worth getting. I wouldn't advise Otos or Rubber Nosed Plecs they may be able to survive in cooler water but they won't thrive which is what you want a fish to do. Your options are:

Hillstream Loach
Garra Pingi pingi

Your water is quite hard so you would have to find a local supplier for the Hillstream Loaches, however, I have seen them kept in lfs with water as hard as that.

Other fish like the Gudgeon may occassionally graze algae but not to the extent of the Hillstream Loaches and certainly not as much as the Garra Pingi pingi.

 

[mhoward1999]

Hmmm...My lfs guy said they (hillstream loaches) were very difficult to keep in this area and the he suspected the water hardness, that was all. My pH is about 7.4, if memory serves. (I've only been testing my water since I got my goldfishes.) Would that affect it? I wish I knew more about them. All I have been able to find have been short fact sheets and photos of them.

I am intrigued by their appearence and small size. I really like the idea of having a few tiny ones, as long as the goldfish won't pick on them when the goldfish grow.

Ryan, are you saying those two types are the ONLY algae eaters that are compatable with goldfish? If not, what others can I put with them? My tank is right at 70-72 deg.

Thanks!

 

[ryan]

Rubber Nose Plecs may survive at that temperature but they aren't known for algae eating. There other Algae Eaters but they will get too big and some may harm the Goldfish, for example Common Plec, Gibbiceps Plecs there are also some fish that may graze on algae as part of their diet, the huge grass carp for example. Those two fish are the most suitable and the ones you should be able to get hold of. I have kept Hillstream Loaches in a PH of 7.6 so 7.4 is fine there are several species which you can check out on Loaches Online. They like a fast current with smoot surfaces to grip on to great little fish. Cheese has a species tank set up for her little ones.

 

[BronzeWolf]

I have a hillstream loach in my small 4.5 gallon tank, with a fluval 1 (plus) filter that streams out air so there is a fast current at the top of the water, the ph of my water is 7.5 and well he seems to be a happy chappy.

Mr. Freckles is his name

 

[mhoward1999]

Man! I have my heart set on hillstream loaches, and everything ya'll are telling me says I should be able to keep them! Why aren't my lfs carrying them!!! (rhetorical question) What is a fair price for them if I were to order them and have them shipped to my home. The one site I found that sold them was going to charge in the neighborhood of $40. What do ya'll think?

 

[mhoward1999]

I checked my records from testing and my water's pH is 8.3. Could this be the issue?

 

[ryan]

Ph 8.3 could be a problem, most fish won't survive that unless that specalize in living in such an enviroment. It is unlikely that either of the two species I suggested would cope well in those conditions.

 

[mhoward1999]

That's so weird. I have never tested my water until I got my new goldfish about a month ago, but I am sure it's always been about that, because I am not doing anything significantly different. Can/should I try to alter the pH, or will that do more harm than good?

 

[ryan]

I am surprised you have a natural water PH of 8.3. Is there anything in the tank that could alter it, any rocks etc? What is the tapwater PH? You could try using a RO unit but that is quite an expensive method especailly for one tank and it would only last 12-18 months.

 

[mhoward1999]

I think that when I did my first testing I did both the tank water and the tap water to see, and they were the same, but I am not sure. I will check the tap water this weekend and let you know Monday. I know that initially, the hardness in my tank was 18 and the tap was 13, so I learned not to top off for evaporation anymore, but I can't remember about the pH.

Edited to say: There is nothing in my tank that should alter pH. I have pet store brand gravel, plastic plants, an Emporer 400 and UGF filtration systems. That's it. No ornamental rocks, live plants, wood, nothing.

 

[mhoward1999]

I re-tested my tap water this weekend, and the pH is 8.0 straight out of the tap. GH is 13.