Which Algae Eater?

[stargirly1208]

ok so i was wondering since i just had an invasion of algae in my tank, what would be the best choice for an algae eater? first of all my tank is a 10 gallon so it can't be an enormous one. and second i put in an algae tablet because it was really bad and i was wondering if this would affect the algae eater if i got one.... please let me know

 

[africantigerfish7]

I don't know about the tablet, but the siamese algae eater is probably the most effective and small algae eaters. In a 10 gallon I would keep no more than 3. They stay small and unlike the chinese algae eater, they will not grow huge and aggressive. Also, you may want to consider otocinclus if you can't come across the sae. Do you have any fish already in there? Because if they were not affected by the tablet an algae eater should be fine. Just make sure the fish are compatible.

 

[Torrean]

the rubbernose/rubberlip/bulldog pleco is my personal favorite. they get from 3-5 inches.

 

[mike_nofx]

I have a Bristlenose cat, and it cleans the tank spotless!

Before i got her, the glass would slowly build up algae, and i have a clear tube in the tank which turns 'not so clear' after a while.

As soon as i got the bristlenose... VERY clear glass, and VERY clear and shiny clear tube, it almost sparkles!

Shes also good for picking up the excess food the other fish dont eat.

 

[silver tipped]

Hi,

Don't be fooled into getting a chinese algae eater. I was sold 2 under the name of 'gold algae eaters'. They were only 1" long and looked harmless enough. The lfs knew I only had a smallish tank but said they would be fine with my tetras and platies.

Well they grew before my eyes and became little monsters. They ruled the tank and then I found out they grew to 10" and were agressive. I took them straight back and have found a new lfs.

Always check what you are buying before you get it but I think a bristlenose or ottos would be fine.

 

[MoreCoffee]

To be honest I'd go for Otocinclus, adult lenght of 2 - 2.5 inches and great little algae eaters (best kept as a group of at least 2).

Amano algae eating shrimp are also good at removing algae from plants, rocks and substrate, but not off the glass sides of the tank and should not be in the same tank as clown loaches.

However if the 10G tank is the one in your sig, I wouldnt add anything else to that tank as it sounds full already.

Sorry to say it but, I would especially get rid of the clown loaches. I dont know what size they are now, but an adult clown loach will get to about a foot long.
In a tank that size they will become stunted, stressed and therfore more prone to disease. They would also eat any Amano shrimp if you added them to the tank.

I fell into exactly the same trap when I set up my first tank ... local fish supplier was happy to sell them to me to control snails and told me how they only grow slowly (which is ture to some extent).

I didnt really want to lose them (they are really good looking fish) but I gave mine away to a friend who has a huge tank (150gal custom built) and you wouldnt believe they are the same fish !!

Have you tried to find out the cause of the algae rather than just eat it away ?

 

[Bloo]

Before you go to your nearest shop to check out the algae eaters, read this great topic on "which algae eater should I get ?"

 

[dwarfgourami]

If you are currently stocking all the fish in your list, then you won't have room for an algae eater, even after you've removed the clown loaches (which has got to be a top priority); that tank will still be fully stocked. Bristlenoses are plecos, and do produce a fair amount of waste, so a 10 gallon is small for them at the best of times, let alone an overstocked 10 gallon. Otos are small, but they are also schooling fish and quite sensitive to water stats- again not a good choice for an overstocked tank.
I would suggest addressing the cause of the algae instead; there is at least a possibility that it is connected to high nitrate levels, to do with stocking.
You may have to fall back on my favourite algae eater: the Wilkinson Sword Blade. Available from Superdrug, very cheap and (in the right hands) non-aggressive. Bioload nil.
With that, a toothbrush and a good gravel vac, the problem should be containable, as long as you ease up the stocking, do not overfeed and keep the light at a reasonable level.

 

[Sheridanp]

the rubbernose/rubberlip/bulldog pleco is my personal favorite. they get from 3-5 inches.

I use this for my 29 gallon tank. 1 gets the job done excellent. And, would you even count it as fish inches, it never comes out?

 

[Bloo]

Just because you don't see nocturnal fish, does not mean you can't count them as fish.
Plecos are some of the largest waste producers in your average community tank. They count more than the usual inch per gallon rule.

 

[Sheridanp]

I was just checking. And yes, they leave a big mess, mostly under ornaments.

 

[Snick]

do not use snails! they are eager to FLOOD yur tank full of their offsprings. BE WARNED!