Algae On Shelldwellers Shells.

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fishstick

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Does anyone else have the problem of their shells getting heavily covered in brown slimy algae? It doesn't look as though I look after the tank properly but as soon as I clean the shells up back it comes. I do not overfeed and the water stats are excellent.
 
found this, hope it helps:
Cause:
Excess silicates & nitrates

Inadequate light

Low oxygen levels

Brown algae is a common occurrence in a newly set up aquarium. It is generally caused by too little light, an excess of silicates, an abundance of nutrients, and too little oxygen. Silicates can build up through tap water that is high in silicic acid, and silicates that leech from some types of substrates.
Cure:
Wipe off surfaces & vacuum gravel well

Use silicate adsorbing resin in the filter

Increase the lighting

Stock a plecostomus or several otocinclus

This type of algae does not adhere strongly to the tank surfaces, and is easily wiped away. Vacuuming the gravel with a siphon will quickly remove coatings from the substrate. Increasing the lighting will inhibit re-growth of brown algae. As a new tank matures brown algae is often eliminated naturally by plants and green algae competing for nutrients.
Some sucker-mouth catfish will readily eat brown algae, most notably plecostomus and otocinclus. If the problem is due to high silicates in the water, and the brown algae persists, a special silicate absorbing resin can be used in the filter.
Prevention:
Use of RO water

Regular water changes

Regular aquarium cleaning

Good lighting

As with any algae, keeping the tank clean and performing regular water changes is one of the best preventative measures. Unfortunately it is still possible to get algae in spite of regular maintenance, especially in a newly established aquarium.


I am concerned though why you paired the multi's with the furcata's. the multi's are more then capable of beating the snot out of the furcata's
 
Thankyou, Waterbender, for your most comprehensive reply and advice which I shall work through. In answer to the multi/ furcata pairing I wanted dither-fish to keep the multies on their toes; they used to be in a community tank and spent much of their time guarding their shell area. When I moved them to a species-only tank I felt they missed the stimulation of other fish. The furcata keep to the upper third, I havn't noticed any aggression but note it could happen.
 
You're most welcome fishstick!!!
I'd love to see a photo of your set up some time if you didnt mind! I'm hopeful the shellies wont bother with the furcata either! You never know sometimes when you throw things together how copasetic they can exist!

bushynose definately will get bullied, not injured as much as they wont be able to do what they do best, especially if there are eggs/fry in a shell. Shellies arent called BULLDOGS for nothing! :lol: :lol:
 
a few small-ish snails will tend to to the trick from my experience and its also funny to watch the cichlids moving them around and flaring at them when they come near there shell :lol:
 

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