You're right about not getting an algae eater. 1) Idris may not like them. 2) the only fish that could really fit in that tank would be otocinclus, which need to be in a shoal and you have limited space - as well as a limited food source in that tank 3) once the algae is gone - otos eat more than you would think - you would need to supplement their diet, and in my experience not all otos take well to prepared food. I have otos but the tank is big enough for there to be enough algae for them. I'm not overrun with it though.
Manual removal of algae, although tedious, is the best way of getting rid of it until you can correct the cause. Don't try the algae removal stuff you can buy. Although it may get rid of what's there already, it won't stop it growing back as the cause of it will be present. It's usually caused by a nutrient imbalance. What do you feed Idris and your plants, and what lighting do you have? I did have an algae problem recently, which was because I ran out of co2. I use pressurised co2 and the tank went without it for a few months. It meant that the plants were getting too much light and nutrients for the amount of co2 they were getting. The plants suffered after a while and loads of algae grew. It took a month or so to get rid of it once I got hold of some co2 but it's down to a normal level now, the plants are much better, but there is still enough algae for the otos. Many people will tell you that a bit of algae is a sign of a healthy tank. I'll see if I have a photo of the tank without co2 and and one of it now.
Sorry for the lengthy post. If we can figure out the cause, we can correct it and the tank should sort the algae out itself. In the meantime, here's a photo of one of my otos. This one is very greedy! You can see what I mean about them eating more than you would think. I have read that a fat oto is a happy oto
it's a good job really.
image.jpeg
it's a good job really.
