SAE's not doing their job?!

[noclueman]

How many SAE's will I need to keep the algae down in a 50 gallon tank?

I have 3 right now (got them about 5 days ago) and the algae is still just getting worse.

I watch them suck on the walls and such (most of the time), but they are kind of slacking off.

Anyone know what I should do?

Thanks,
noclueman

 

[Lateral Line]

3 SAE's should be enough for most tanks big enough to house them. The most obvious question I suppose is are you sure they are genuine SAE's, there are a number of lookalikes that are sold as SAE's.

>>> suck on the walls

This makes me doubly wonder. SAE's don't really have sucker mouths and don't hang on the walls. They pick at algae, and rest horizontally. Sounds to me more like you have CAE's which are completely different.

 

[noclueman]

http/www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/

I have 2 of the very top picture (crossocheilus siamensis) and 1 of the next one (Epalzeorhynchus).

So, does anyone else use these? I'm just wondering if they'll keep 55 gallons clean or not.

Thanks,
noclueman