Clean Up Crew For Cichlid Tank

[joeyh51]

SO I've had my tank running for a couple of months now, and I've started to see a bit of algae growth on the glass, bogwood and rocks etc. It's not too bad at the moment but don't really want to let it build up to much.

I've got an amazing snowball plec, but it's a bit shy and doesn't really come out that much to munch. Is there anything else that could go in there to get rid of the algae? Snails or anything like that?

 

[Wills]

Tank size and tank mates?

The best way to combat algae is with a scraper no fish will really keep it clean. Keep your lights down and up the plants to help out. A few things could help out a little like some small plecs or Whiptails. A few other Asian species can help as well like Garras and SAEs.

Wills

 

[minnnt]

Bristlenoses keep mine in check.

 

[joeyh51]

Tank is 260 litre with a nicaragua, juvi severum, couple of small pictus cats and a snowball plec. I know the green spot algae is something you have to properly scrape off yourself, but it's the algae on the bogwood/rocks that I'd like keeping in check.

Is it something that the plec will start doing when it's settled in a bit more, only had it a week so far and hasn't really come out much yet.

I wasn't really wanting to add any other plecs because of their bio load, so is there anything else that would fit in?

 

[onidrase]

My bn plecs always keep my 37 and 75 spotless at the moment. Otherwise, I'm with wills. an algae scraper is the best algae eater.

 

[Wills]

Perhaps some kind of small Panaque would be good? They rasp on wood so would take off the film of algae as well.

Wills

 

[mattlee]

L200 and L128 are very good at keeping things clean too.

wills if they made nappies for the panaques i would have one any day

 

[Liam2368]

L200 and L128 are very good at keeping things clean too.

wills if they made nappies for the panaques i would have one any day

agreed, iv just got rid of my l191, it was only 2-3inches but my god did it crap like no tomorrow!

 

[mattlee]

L200 and L128 are very good at keeping things clean too.

wills if they made nappies for the panaques i would have one any day

agreed, iv just got rid of my l191, it was only 2-3inches but my god did it crap like no tomorrow!

i had a stunning L190 royal panaque that was 6-7 inches but couldnt keep up with the cleaning up behind it. nice big water change and all poop gone then i get back from work the next day and the substrate was covered again.... and that was in a 6.5ft tank

apart from their mess probably one of my favourite plecs

 

[Wills]

lol I know what you mean thats why I swapped to Whiptails

You do get some smaller Panaques that dont look like the Royals and Water Melons or get to the big sizes though not sure of the numbers or names.

Wills

 

[snowflake311]

BN Pleco best clean up fish IMO. Since I got one for my 80gal planted tank my plants look amazing they use to get brown algea on them and I would have to clean the leaves with my fingers. Now they are spotless. I am alson adding ferts and raised the light so I get less algae but these plecos get the job done. No tank is compleat with out one. They are always out in the open looking for food not a shy Pleco at all.

Then I have Cory cats to clean up left over food.

Rams horn snails are amazing too. I have some in all my tanks. I love these snails.

 

[CichlidLover1995]

Nerite snails love algae and cant spawn in fresh water! Double win!

 

[thereverendturtle]

BN all the way. Not quite as much feces as the big guns, and do a great job on most algae.

 

[joeyh51]

Nerite snails seem interesting. I'm sorry to say I'm not a fan of BN plecs, just don't like all the bristles

Anyone know if nerite snails will be ok in my tank? And how many I should get?

 

[onidrase]

Nerite snails seem interesting. I'm sorry to say I'm not a fan of BN plecs, just don't like all the bristles

Anyone know if nerite snails will be ok in my tank? And how many I should get?

Females have little or no bristles on them

I'd be concerned about the cichlids harassing any snails in the tank. My betta even takes bites at them in my 10g.