good algae eating fish

[Robbo851]

hi, does anyone know of a good fish to clean the side of tanks that doesnt get very big 3 inches max, corries for the bottom , but will they keep the glass clean

 

[OohFeeshy]

Why not just scrape it off?

 

[GSD]

Why not just scrape it off?

good idea!

 

[OohFeeshy]

Or better still, establish the casuses and eliminate them before you jump in with an algae eater.

 

[guppy_man]

you could get chinese algae eaters but they grow 5 to 6 inches.
just do what i do get a mini magnet cleaner, if you dont know what it is heres a site to show you



http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...3&N=2004+113159

 

[OohFeeshy]

Nope, DON'T get a chinese algae eater. They only eat algae when they're young and get very aggressive when they're older.

 

[silvershark]

i back the chinese algae eater comment, i had non-stop problems with mine, i also back the idea of scraping it off, rather than buying a fish particularly for doing this as it brings these creatures down to the same level as a domestic appliance, ie you dont buy a got if you got lond grass, you buy a lawn mower

 

[silvershark]

i back the chinese algae eater comment, i had non-stop problems with mine, i also back the idea of scraping it off, rather than buying a fish particularly for doing this, as it brings these creatures down to the same level as a domestic appliance, ie you dont buy a goat if you got load of grass, you buy a lawn mower

 

[rdd1952]

corries for the bottom , but will they keep the glass clean

Corys won't eat algae period. They are scavengers and will clean up leftover food but won't touch algae.

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

Chinese algea eaters really are not very good aquarium fish. I think its hilarious when customers ask me about corydoras and I tell them they're scavengers. The customers then assume the cory is an organic hoover and they'll never have to clean the tank.

 

[StarOrbs]

Chinese algea eaters really are not very good aquarium fish. I think its hilarious when customers ask me about corydoras and I tell them they're scavengers. The customers then assume the cory is an organic hoover and they'll never have to clean the tank.

Hehe, yah people tend to think the extremes in cases like that. They think by adding one Algae eater your tank will be cured in an instant.

 

[gale]

If you can find them, zebra nerites or olive nerites (snails) are wonderful at cleaning up algae. My 20 was algae-ridden. I mean really bad-I could scrape the glass but it was also on the plants, ornaments and gravel. The snails cleared it up from all surfaces within a week (the gravel actually took a bit longer than a week) and it has been great ever since. Also they don't multiply in fresh water so you don't have to worry about being inundated with baby snails.

 

[New Boy]

I agree with most of the above comments - don't buy a chinese algae eater, they can get aggressive and they also tend to stop eating algae as they get older (and produce lots of waste which contributes to more algae)

If you are sure you want an algae eater I don't think that you can beat a siamese algae eater for a decent sized tank.

Cories don't eat algae and catfish in general produce lots of waste so can increase nitrate etc which causes more algae - they're not scavengers either, they need to be fed just like other fish - sinking pellets, live food, frozen, cucumber - they don't go round eating their tankmates waste as some people seem to think.

When I started out I had lots of problem with algae, tried algae eaters of various sorts, reduced lighting (turned it off perm), moved the tank, and then found that my phosphate levels were really high (nitrate was moderately high too - due to the tap water having high levels). Have added a phosphate remover to the filter and left my sae's to clean up some of the algae left over and my tank now looks sparkling.

 

[The-Wolf]

it is amazing what using the search button finds
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=95037

 

[Robbo851]

just to clarify, i know that corys dont eat algae, i never said they did, come to think of it i never even said algae did i? anyway the reason i ask is that i have just moved my pleco and cae to my bigger tank, and the corys are replacement bottom feeders ,not that my tank has dirty sides but i would a fish that sucks on the side ,not just to clean ijust think they look cool.