Re-Starting After Algae Takeover

[nellie_nospu]

Hello

I joined TFF aeons ago, but haven't posted for a few years. Fast forward a few house moves, job changes etc, and my latest aquarium is one of these http/www.petplanet.co.uk/shop_dev/assets/new_product_images/Arcadia/54794.jpg and Google reminds me that it is 35L. It was stocked with lots of Vallis, a large piece of bogwood, 2 Otocinclus, a handful of guppies and one ancient danio (yes I know it's really too small for the poor old chap. I'm amazed he's lived this long in general, through all the house moves and everything!). They have gradually reduced to one of each - far from ideal.

My filter broke down while I was away this weekend, so I've returned to algae heaven. I'm now thinking a complete revamp. When I went to get my new filter, it seems there is a whole new "thing" about nano-aquaria. Some of them for sale were shocking! However, I do like the idea of plants, shrimps, and snails as a primary aim. I picked up a book about them too, had a good guide to species

I'm treating this as a new tank as I'll be starting with a new filter and kit (hopefully new substrate etc too).

So, hoping for some quick advice?
1/ What can I use to really scrub off the algae (once I empty tank)? It's leaving behind little spots when I use my normal clean pan scourer pad. Chemicals not an option of course, but what about some white vinegar followed by lots of rinsing?
2/ Substrate. I have bog standard, algae encrusted gravel. I gather the "new thing" is a layer of fine sand ("laterite"?) for plant roots, then a layer of gravel as laterite isn't suitable for shrimps.
3/ Bogwood. The book says bogwood isn't great, but to soak it well if you really want it. On the plus side, my bogwood has soaked for *cough mumble* number of years; on the downside it's got a lovely algae coat!
4/ Is the algae question irrelevant if I'm stocking with shrimps?
5/ The top of the tank is not sealed/secure - will snails escape??
6/ Any supplier recommendations? For substrate, plants, invertebrates...

My very initial thoughts are Malaysian trumpet snails, cherry and/or Amano shrimps, plus the anyone who survives the transition (I'm prepared to accept the shock may finish them off )

I've also read that dwarf puffers, as a "mono species" tank, could work well?

Any other thoughts welcome, and thank you

 

[KittyKat]

1/ What can I use to really scrub off the algae (once I empty tank)? It's leaving behind little spots when I use my normal clean pan scourer pad. Chemicals not an option of course, but what about some white vinegar followed by lots of rinsing?

I use cards.. old bank card, store loyalty card, etc.

2/ Substrate. I have bog standard, algae encrusted gravel. I gather the "new thing" is a layer of fine sand ("laterite"?) for plant roots, then a layer of gravel as laterite isn't suitable for shrimps.

I use single substrates, I prefer the look of sand or fine black gravel.

3/ Bogwood. The book says bogwood isn't great, but to soak it well if you really want it. On the plus side, my bogwood has soaked for *cough mumble* number of years; on the downside it's got a lovely algae coat!

Bogwood is amazing and lots of fish love the tannins. The book may say that it is not great because some shrimp prefer hard or neutral water, whereas bogwood will often soften water. You can clean your old piece by scrubbing it with a brush. I would then dry it and leave it in a black bag for a few weeks (leave airholes), just to be sure.

4/ Is the algae question irrelevant if I'm stocking with shrimps?

What do you mean? Some shrimp will eat algae, but all will probably need to be fed extra.

5/ The top of the tank is not sealed/secure - will snails escape??

Depends on the species. Most won't leave water, some need to do so to lay eggs.

I've also read that dwarf puffers, as a "mono species" tank, could work well?

Dwarf puffers work well in smaller tanks, there are a lot of fish which would be happy in something that size too.

 

[nellie_nospu]

Thank you Kitty Kat

1/ As I was tipping the dregs out in the bath, I spotted an old "shower glove" which has actually worked really well.

2/ I'm leaning towards sand with a bit of gravel for variety. With the laterite being good for plants but not shrimp, are you aware of any other fine substrates that are suitable for both?

3/ I think I'll scrub and stash the bogwood as you suggest, nice idea with the bin bag!

4/ Yes I meant whether the shrimp would munch through the algae, but I'd rather get the set up right straight off. Answered my own question there!

5/6/the rest.../ I think I'll start with fresh plants and the tank survivors, then go from there.

Thanks for your time

 

[StandbySetting]

Algae is a result of too much light and a lack of circulation, what light do you have over the tank? Clay cat litter makes a good substrate if it is well capped with Gravel, the clay absorbs nutrients and then leaches them slowly into the roots of the plants.

 

[nellie_nospu]

The light is on a timer - was 12 hours, knocked down to 8 - it is the one that came in the bundle - Arc Pod 11W Tropical Light.

Interesting about the cat litter!

 

[StandbySetting]

To begin with start at 4 hours a day, keep it at that for a few weeks, then slowly work it up to 8, it's funny you should mention algal problems because I had the same issue with my arc pod, and I changed the tube for a white one instead of the triphosphor one they supply, and the algae issues seemed to go away, this could just be coincidence as algae doesn't tend to care about colour spectrum. There are a tonne of plants you could go for, most Crypts, Anubias, Microsorum etc is found in Kerala, India, this is where Dwarf Puffers are found, I'm doing this in my arc at the moment, currently in the planning stages, my thread is in the planted journal section if you want to look at the details I've planned so far.