Author Topic: Algae Eater Recommendation (Read 8419 times) 3 replies

Craigs85 · « **on:** February 13, 2018, 12:12:30 PM »

Hi all,
I've got a small 60 litre tank.

Currently in there are:

Harlequins
Platys
Dwarf Gourami
Japonica Shrimp
2 Otocinclus

The Oto's aren't doing a great job of cleaning the algae from the side of the tank.

Could I/Should I get another Algae eater in there?
If so, what should I get?

Thanks,
Craig

Littlefish · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2018, 12:54:08 PM »

It would be worth looking into what is causing the algae.
Does your tank have live plants? Is there a lot of light? Are the plants slow growing? Do you add fertiliser to the tank? If you can provide as much information as possible, including water parameters, how mature the tank is, and routine maintenance schedule, that would be helpful.
For now you could help the situation by wiping the algae off the tank, and performing water changes, until we can find the cause.
Personally I would start with manual cleaning of algae, but if you are determined to add more fish then increasing the numbers of otocinclus would be a possibility.

Sue · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2018, 01:10:06 PM »

There are no creatures that eat all types of algae, and I can't think of any that eat the spots of algae that grow on glass, if that's what you have. The way I remove that is using those plastic labels that are in plants you buy from the garden centre, or a piece of plastic with a flat edge to scrape it off.

I would be wary about getting too many otos in a 64 litre tank because although they are shoaling fish which should be kept in a group of at least 6, a tank that size won't be able to grow enough of the right kind of algae to feed a shoal of otos.
You could get a nerite snail, as they eat types of algae that otos and shrimps don't eat - but even they won't remove all the green spot algae.

Cod_only_knows · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2018, 08:41:07 PM »

I second Sue's Nerite recommendation. If you're not fussy about which ones you get, there are bargains on eBay - just search neritina. Whilst they won't keep the glass immaculate, they make a huge dent in algae in the tank. Fast growing plants and a balanced nutrient regime will reduce algae, but can be tricky to achieve. The combination of good tank maintenance, amano shrimp and nerite snails should do the trick in a 60l aquarium.

Subject - Started by	Replies	Last post
Recommendation? Started by Helen Fish Tank Plant Advice	4 Replies 5455 Views	December 06, 2013, 11:31:17 PM by Helen
Algae eater? Started by louking13 New Fishkeepers	3 Replies 5490 Views	May 03, 2014, 01:54:16 PM by louking13
Fish recommendation ? Started by Redbelly New Fishkeepers	15 Replies 8358 Views	March 19, 2017, 03:48:48 PM by Sue
Algae eater 18 gallon Started by traceyepeach General Fishkeeping advice	4 Replies 10884 Views	June 09, 2017, 08:47:12 AM by Sue
Recommendation for hospital tank Started by Rustle « 1 2 » Fish Tanks and Equipment	21 Replies 13197 Views	June 09, 2018, 05:49:40 PM by Matt
Stem Plant Recommendation & Advice Started by TopCookie Fish Tank Plant Advice	10 Replies 13923 Views	April 03, 2018, 12:58:24 AM by TopCookie
algae eater/bottom feeders for hard water Started by pollydoodle « 1 2 » New Fishkeepers	27 Replies 22009 Views	July 10, 2018, 09:20:52 PM by Matt

Algae Eater Recommendation

Algae Eater Recommendation

Author Topic: Algae Eater Recommendation (Read 8419 times) 3 replies

Craigs85

Algae Eater Recommendation

Littlefish

Re: Algae Eater Recommendation

Sue

Re: Algae Eater Recommendation

Cod_only_knows

Re: Algae Eater Recommendation

Assess Tankmates In The Tropical Fish Community Creator

Topics that relate to "Algae Eater Recommendation"

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice

Tropical Fish Keeping Product Reviews

Tropical Fish Market Place

Tropical Fish Keeping Community