Best Algae Eater?

[pablothebetta]

Have discovered that my tank appears to have quite a bit of algae on the sides of the tank and my algae magnet won't remove it (it's close to the sand, so I cannot go any further down and don't want sand being stuck in the magnet and scratching the glass).

It isn't a very big tank (30L or so), so I'm looking for a small algae-eater. I was thinking about a snail, which would be best for the job? With it being a small tank, and already at/slightly over it's stocking level, I can't afford a large bio-load which is what I'm concerned about with the snails as from what I gather they tend to have fairly large bio-loads. I've got some anubias in there, so I can't have any plant eaters

One quick question about my anubias though, is that it appears to somehow look like it is being bitten at around the edges on some leaves and some leaves also have small brown patches. Is this anything to worry about? I've got some cherry shrimp in there that often hang out around the anubias, but I didn't think that they ate anubias, right?

Thanks

 

[minnnt]

Is your Anubias attatched to something? Only reason it would go brown is if it was dying. Anubias is very easy to keep and isn't fussy. But it can't have its roots submerged in the sand.

As for your algae eater, i doubt a snail would do much, and their bio-load is quite high. I would suggest removing the Algae yourself.

 

[pablothebetta]

The anubias is attatched to some wood, though I don't put any fertilizers in. The tank recieves a fair amount of light too (probably hence the algae). Not a lot of it is brown, only a couple of small parts on leaves.

 

[minnnt]

How long is the light on for? It may be lacking nutrients, but i doubt it as it is one of the least demanding plants available.

 

[MBOU]

Several points:

- Dont be tempted to buy an algae eater purely for eating algae, especially if you are fully stocked. There is no guarantee they will eat that type of algae or will feel like eating algae off your glass or even be able to eat that much algae.

The trouble is, an algae eater will add to your bioload adding to a vicious circle of the more waste and bioload, the worse the algae is... the more algae the plecx eats... the more the plec poops... the more the algae grows.... and so on....

-If you *do* need to get an algae eater, 1 or 2 Otocinclus are probably the only small algae eaters that are very good at the job.

-What fish have you got in the tank atm? Might give us an idea of what fish might nibble plants, i found quite a few species of both barbs, tetras and gouramis took delight in chewing the soft edges of young leaves on anubias.

It is more likely a deficiency in the plant though, are you feeding your plants with any plant food?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Is the anubias browning, or is there a brown coating over top of the anubias? Anubias is a slow grower, and sometimes diatoms will grow on the plant. Did you try wiping it away? If it is diatoms, they will rub right off.

 

[MBOU]

And also as has been said for solving algae first...:

-how old is the tank?
-what is your stocking?
-how often/how much for water changes?
-do you gravel clean?
-is the tank in a bright room/direct sunlight from a window
-how long are your lights on for

Do you know what your tank and tapwater paramaters are? Have you ever tested for Phosphates?

 

[pablothebetta]

And also as has been said for solving algae first...:

-how old is the tank?
-what is your stocking?
-how often/how much for water changes?
-do you gravel clean?
-is the tank in a bright room/direct sunlight from a window
-how long are your lights on for

Do you know what your tank and tapwater paramaters are? Have you ever tested for Phosphates?

Here goes:
1. The tank isn't very old, but I have used some mature media from another tank.
2. It's got a male betta, 3 cherry shrimp and 4 pygmy cories (C.Pygmaeus). I am aware that the cories were a bit of a risk in that sized tank and number, but after recieving mixed opinions online, I left it up to my LFS who said a small group would be ok. I'm monitoring them closely and they seem to be doing fine so far.
3. I do about 20% water changes weekly
4. I have sand and give the surface a quick clean when I do my water changes
5. The tank isn't in a particularly bright room, though it is in front of a window (though on the opposite side fo the room to the window).
6. Usually around 12 hours a day.

I'm thinking 5 & 6 are possibly the causes of my algae and that I probably shouldn't have the lights on for so long, though with it not being a particularly brightly lit room naturally I have tended to have them on. Would it be best if I just had the lights on once it gets darker outside so that they were on for around 5-6 hours?

I'm not entirely sure what my water params are at the moment, as I usually just get my LFS to test it as I cannot afford a full kit atm, though I hope to buy one soon. I can get my LFS to test it though if needed.

I don't currently feed the plants, though I can do so if nescescary.

eaglesaquarium:
I'm not sure which it is, I shall have to have a try that

Thanks for all the advice, it's really appriciated

 

[eaglesaquarium]

6. Usually around 12 hours a day.

WOW! That's WAY too long for your lights. 6-8 hours is considered plenty of time. What is your lighting on the tank (wattage, T8s or T5s)?

Cut the lighting back to 8 hours, immediately. THe fish don't need the light, and the plants don't need it for that long. The reason you have so much algae is directly related to the amount of light you have on the tank.


If you have a timer, use that. It's the easiest way to deal with the lighting. I keep my light on from 3pm-10pm. I don't want the lights on earlier than that, because there is no need for the lights to be on, until I can see them. Why have the lights on when you are preoccupied or out of the house?

 

[pablothebetta]

6. Usually around 12 hours a day.

WOW! That's WAY too long for your lights. 6-8 hours is considered plenty of time. What is your lighting on the tank (wattage, T8s or T5s)?

Cut the lighting back to 8 hours, immediately. THe fish don't need the light, and the plants don't need it for that long. The reason you have so much algae is directly related to the amount of light you have on the tank.


If you have a timer, use that. It's the easiest way to deal with the lighting. I keep my light on from 3pm-10pm. I don't want the lights on earlier than that, because there is no need for the lights to be on, until I can see them. Why have the lights on when you are preoccupied or out of the house?

I just knew I'd get a message like this
I'll cut down on the lighting and just have it on in the evenings when it's dark, which should give it about 5-6 hours, would this be ok? I have considered cutting it down myself, though I wasn't sure. I unfortunately don't have a timer, though this would be rather useful in this situation. The light is an 11 watt PL light, made by Aqua One. I think it's a T5. It can be found here: http/www.aquarium-parts.co.uk/acatalog/Aqua_One_PR12_Compact_Luminaire.html

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The reason I ask T5 or T8 is that T5s put out more lumens per watt than T8s. So, a T5 11w is more like a 20-25W T8. That makes this a fairly high light tank. High light tanks are very prone to algae, especially when the photoperiod is so long. Decreasing the photoperiod should be all the more you have to do to deal with your algae problem. No need to add any algae eater at all.


If you don't have a timer (it was the best decision I ever made when I bought one), then simply leave the lights on until dinner time. Then turn it on before dinner, and turn it off before you go to bed. This will have a tremendous impact on your algae. The best thing about the timer is that you don't have to worry about going on vacation for a few days. The lights come on, the lights go off - even when you aren't there. You wouldn't need to have anyone check on the tank at all for up to a week vacation. The fish don't need food during that time and the plants would get the light they do need. Timers aren't that expensive. It would definitely be worth looking into.

 

[pablothebetta]

The reason I ask T5 or T8 is that T5s put out more lumens per watt than T8s. So, a T5 11w is more like a 20-25W T8. That makes this a fairly high light tank. High light tanks are very prone to algae, especially when the photoperiod is so long. Decreasing the photoperiod should be all the more you have to do to deal with your algae problem. No need to add any algae eater at all.


If you don't have a timer (it was the best decision I ever made when I bought one), then simply leave the lights on until dinner time. Then turn it on before dinner, and turn it off before you go to bed. This will have a tremendous impact on your algae. The best thing about the timer is that you don't have to worry about going on vacation for a few days. The lights come on, the lights go off - even when you aren't there. You wouldn't need to have anyone check on the tank at all for up to a week vacation. The fish don't need food during that time and the plants would get the light they do need. Timers aren't that expensive. It would definitely be worth looking into.

A timer does sound like something worth looking into sometime.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I meant leave them "off" until dinner time.

 

[snowflake311]

Rams horn snails, amano shrimp and Otos.