Algae Eaters

[Tyse2601]

Hey I'm looking for something that will eat the algae from my gravel, I've tried regular water changes reduced light etc but it grows so fast! I have a Bristlenose Plec, assassin snail and 7 tiger barbs so it will need to get along with them. Any ideas??? My tank is 65 ltr and Planted.


Cheers

 

[gavinjayanand]

How about some Malaysian Trumpet Snails? Little fellows will burrow in the gravel and keep it aerated. In addition, they'll gobble up any algae or decaying material but will leave your plants alone.

I think you may have a problem with the Barbs eating the snails, but they are really fast breeders so it shouldn't be a problem. Keep the barbs well fed and they'll steer clear of the snails.

If that still doesn't work, try reducing the number of feeds and the amount of light. Algae usually always crops up when there's decaying material around.

Best of luck!

Gavin

 

[Tyse2601]

Thanks I've looked up the snails they seem interesting, will my assassin snail not go for them though? And my tiger barbs can be quite aggressive when they are hungry, will some loaches do the trick?

Cheers again

 

[raptorrex]

Hey I'm looking for something that will eat the algae from my gravel, I've tried regular water changes reduced light etc but it grows so fast! I have a Bristlenose Plec, assassin snail and 7 tiger barbs so it will need to get along with them. Any ideas??? My tank is 65 ltr and Planted.

Cheers

there are some shrimps that do a good job. also BN plecos are know to be good cleaners.

If that still doesn't work, try reducing the number of feeds and the amount of light. Algae usually always crops up when there's decaying material around.

Best of luck!

Gavin

excess light, not nutrients, cause algae. there seems no correlation between high nutrients and algae growth. its a common misconception, but no less wrong for all that. as the OP seems to know!

 

[Ben M]

Hey I'm looking for something that will eat the algae from my gravel, I've tried regular water changes reduced light etc but it grows so fast! I have a Bristlenose Plec, assassin snail and 7 tiger barbs so it will need to get along with them. Any ideas??? My tank is 65 ltr and Planted.


Cheers

TBH, it's best to get to the root of the problem rather than fight it. Is the tank in direct sunlight? There are quite a few things that may be the cause.

How about some Malaysian Trumpet Snails?

I'd advise against these awful things. I introduced some into my tanks thinking they'd not cause a problem. They have shredded loads of my plants, my Hygrophila was destroyed at an amazing pace. However, If you do go for them they'll be fine with tiger barbs but the assassin snails will kill them.

will some loaches do the trick?

Loaches aren't algae eaters. I would suggest some cherry shrimp, but they wouldn't last long with the tiger barbs. You could try some Otocinclus catfish, but TBH, there isn't a great deal of room in the tank for adding more fish.

cheers

 

[This Old Spouse]

If you didn't have the assassin snails, I'd suggest nerite snails, but I'm thinking a BN plec is your best bet in your situation.

 

[Tyse2601]

Thanks for that I have a BN plec but this algae he wont have so my LFS suggested taking them a water sample, I think I just need the right balance of light, plants and fish together with some regular water changes

Cheers for your advice much appreciated.

Thanks for that I have a BN plec but this algae he wont have so my LFS suggested taking them a water sample, I think I just need the right balance of light, plants and fish together with some regular water changes

Cheers for your advice much appreciated.

 

[coldcazzie]

What colour is the algae? Could you take a picture and post it up? Different types of algae have different solutions, sometimes there's only a certain type of fish that will eat it, sometimes nothing will eat it. A picture would help, or several, as good quality and as close as possible, as well as a full tank shot showing locations

 

[Tyse2601]

Finally got to the bottom of the algae when I found someone who new what it was, hairy algae was the diagnosis and apparently a pain to get rid of so with advice I've removed bog wood and that is soaking for a few days in salt water then it's just a case of picking out the infected gravel piece by piece. Fingers crossed. Cheers for all advice