Best Algae Eater

[nadajdui]

I don't want snails, and I don't want otos. Had bad experiences with both. The snails were eating and damaging my plants, and the otos didn't last for more than 3 months, mostly a week. . So, if possible, I want to stay away from those. BN Plecos are VERY hard to find around where I am, and when they are found they're expensive. I will get one if I have to, though I wanted some other ideas. Is the True SAE a good fish? I've heard a lot of good things about them. Do they eat algae even when they're mature? Other fish that eat algae are welcomed as suggestions as well. Thanks!

Tank: 33 Gallons. L: 36" H: 18" W: 12"
Planted tank
Wood
Fish: 5 corydoras catfish, 4 zebra danios, 1 longfin blue danio, soon 7 glowlight tetras.
Nitrites: 0
Ammonia: 0
gh:0
kh:0
Nitrates: quite low, thinking about 3
Problem: Spot and beard algae on glass and plants. Spot algae is easy to remove, though the plants are a different matter.

 

[dgwebster]

im a bit disturbed that your gh and kh is zero, is that correct?

i only voted oto on a personal preference though.

 

[Ginge]

I said a pleco but not a BN or common but a Buldog Plec because of the size of the tank. But IMO its best to find the source of the algea and stop that.

 

[nadajdui]

My gh and kh are that low because that is what my tap water is. But let's not get into that. Maybe I'll do a seperate post on that, but for now let's stay on topic.
Ginge, some people, such as myself, like algae eating dish not just because they eat algae. We like them because we think they're cool. All I want is something to assist me in this algae problem, I'm not looking for a 'quick fix' as some of you are likely thinking. I have more than adequate food for algae eaters when there is no algae. Fish are, IMO, there for fun, not just for working.

 

[Phantom Thief]

Hmm, i voted oto, then i read that you didn't favour them.

It's not easy to get an algae eater that's small, most of them are kinda big. A twig catfish might work, they get kinda big, but its more long than really big.

P.T.

 

[SamUK]

id say a bulldog plec in a tank that size.


i jus got 2 myself from a friend who was getting rid of his tank and there really kewl.


they suck alot faster than my other plecs too so should like your algae.

 

[nadajdui]

Hmm, that sounds cool. Will they help me out with algae on the plants, too?

 

[KathyM]

I voted for small species of plec (eg bristlenose or bulldog, but only 1 in that size tank) but if I had 2nd choice, Otos - tank isn't big enough for other plec species, especially not a common (they grow to 2ft). Edited to add: That was out of personal preference. However, all species of plec need really good filtration too as they make more mess than they clean.

 

[BBrain]

You otto get an otto. ......or three!

 

[@ombomb]

im a bit disturbed that your gh and kh is zero, is that correct?

No, that's basically impossible if the tank has tap water in.

 

[George Farmer]

IME SAEs are best when juvenile. They also grow fairly large (5") so their contribution in waste will eventually exceed their ability to control algae. As with most algae eating fish they tend to grow lazy in time and feed on dry foods etc. i.e. not algae.

Amano shrimp are very good algae eaters and produce little waste. 10 or so would do well in a 33G.

You say it is a planted tank. Plant growth is the best form of algae control.

Provide ideal conditions for your plants and algae will never be a problem, neglect your plants and algae will always prevail, algae eating fish or not.

You need to sort your water chemistry ASAP before considering adding more fish, staying on topic or not. Your pH will likely crash, resulting in more than just algae problems.

http/www.solodvds.com/tropical-fish/chem...%20and/or%20KH)

 

[ramaseseniblikxviii]

Bristlenose catfish (Ancistrus Cirrhosus)are quite good algae eaters and stay relatively small (8-10 cm)
Word of warning though, they will breed rapidly if you get a true pair.

 

[lisie]

I still say get otos! They're adorable.

 

[LEDit0ut]

Definitly get malyasian trumpet snails ecpecially if you have a sand substrate

and they dont eat live plants

only leftover food fish waste and dead plants

plus they are nocturnal so they stay udner the sand for most of the time

 

[nadajdui]

I fixed my kh in one tank for those wondering B) gh I have no vlue how to fix. Anyway, I will do the kh in my 33 today, as the medication in it is now over.
As for those snails, LeditOut, I have gravel, and not sand. So that's a no go. Thanks, though.