cleaning crew...?

[nodding_dino]

Two weeks into my first planted tank (why does it feel like SOOO much longer?) and I have a question about algea...

The med/high light, and ample ferts must be doing the trick, as I am only getting a very small amount of algea. The algea is most noticeable in the front and side glass (as you would expect) and on some of the plants 'older' leaves. The leaves are in a prime spot I guess, with most of their surface area catching the light. The algea is mottled on the leaves, and a brown'ish colour...I'm not too worried about it!

Anyway, I have nothing in the tank which will tidy up the algea, suffice a few (actually very pretty) platies (whom kindly cycled the tank for me), who will occasionaly have a little nibble, but nothing really worth note.

It has always been my plan to add a small plec or two and am quite interested in a farlowella (twig catfish)...

I have been wondering whether you all employ a little cleaning crew to help keep this light coating of algea at bay? If so, I would be interested to hear what you use. It would seem that oto's and Bristlenoses are the cleaner of choice...maybe shrimp too?

Just curious...

ND

 

[houndour]

I'm not 100% all this is true, but this is what I've picked up from reading on here....

Amano shrimp, great algae eaters but you need _loads_ of them to make a difference.

Otos...great little fish, prefer to be in groups, but are very sensitive and some people don't have much luck with them and maybe it's a little early to be having them in your reasonably newly established tank. And again I think you need a few to make a difference.

Plecs...these can grow BIG. Do your research on these. Apparently some of the 'L' number plecs remain smaller. But I get the impression that these cost a bit more.

In my opinion, I'd rather learn to manage the tanks balance and have fish that I like than have a plec (which I couldnt have anyway - tanks too small) that takes up all my fish inch quota.

Managing algae is a painfull process...I should know I've been battling for agggess now but give it a chance.

Otos are cute though. If I had a bigger tank I would def get a shoal of them.

 

[zig]

Only real algae crew i have is proper amounts of ferts and co2=no algae

Now having publicly stated that, ill probably have a massive outbreak by the end of the week.

I have 6 ottos which IMO are super little fish, constantly busy cleaning something, i really like them and they do an excellent job, they are really good for the brown diatom type algae, if your interested in a plec i would ask smithrc id say hes the man to ask.

Dont have any shrimp, dont seem to sell them over here.

 

[nodding_dino]

thanks both...!

the tank, although new to plants, has been setup for a little while now, and all readings are bang on...coupled with the heavy weekly water changes should result in decent water quality for the fishes. Thanks for the heads up re oto's being a little on the sensitive side though!

As far as a plec goes, I've actually already had a quiet word with smithrc...maybe I'll see what I can pinch when I go round to deliver the mylar

 

[Walt]

Siamese algae eater...
This thing works its butt off
I had one in a 29g for years, and he maintained the whole planted tank, no prob....

i hear that 2 might brawl, so stick with 1....

Walt

 

[nodding_dino]

thanks Walt!

 

[xxSarahxx]

I have an 'algae eating shrimp' and a suckermouth catfish. They do a PERFECT job. Claude (sucker) is only three cm long at the moment (although growing at 2-5mm a day!!) and yet my tank is so clean! I also use a magfloat in case there are any bits that get missed. I have to say though Claude cleans everywhere...the rocks, the glass, the plants, the filter, even the heater! It will be more difficult when he's bigger as he won't be able to fit into the small gaps!! However, Jean-Bob (the shrimp) gets everywhere else, he's very confident and really swims too....they're both adorable too...and I love them completely!!
Hope that helps!

 

[nodding_dino]

they sound great! Thanks sarah

 

[Bloo]

Siamese algae eater...
This thing works its butt off
I had one in a 29g for years, and he maintained the whole planted tank, no prob....

i hear that 2 might brawl, so stick with 1....

Walt

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I can vouch for that ! Mine is just non stop hoovering and flitting about the tank sucking on glass and some plants (he does not eath them!) where ever he goes. I know lots of people hate them because they can become territorial when you have more than one or a tank not large enough (remember these fish grow quite big, though it takes years). But (touch wood) mine's been fine for the past 3 years

 

[zig]

I always thought SAE were lazy buggers as they got a bit older, and would rather eat anything except the algae, thought wrong obviously, but they do get quite big in and around 6 inches.

 

[RYO]

Sae are pretty passive (i have 5 in my tank) the flying fox is the fiesty begger.
As to their cleaning up prowess i cant fault it , mind i have half a dozzen ottos in there + a bristle nose , so bettween them my tank is pretty algae free.

 

[nodding_dino]

thanks guys, it's reassuring to know you all have a little bit of an anti algea arsenal in your tank to go alongside the faultless balance of nutrients light and CO2

I may just invest in 3 or 4 otos and see what they do!

 

[xxSarahxx]

Sounds like a plan to me...keep us updated on how it all goes....
P.S. My fish are great and I love them!!
P.P.S. Claude is 4cm today - he's going to be a big thing!!

 

[nodding_dino]

well, I bit the bullet and bought 3 little oto's this afternoon...tank params are spot on, so fingers crossed they will do OK!

I just really wanted to share something that made me laugh though...

I spent quite a while acclimatising them to the tank water conditions, by adding a bit of tank water every 5 minutes or so for a little while...anyway, when the time came, I released them into the tank and stepped back...the promptly disappeared into opposite corners!

I figured they would do best left alone for a little while to settle in, well I went in to check them about 10 minutes ago to find all three of them following around one of my Madagscar rainbows like little ducklings!!!! These rainbows have quite an elongated body and a prominent lateral stripe, so I guess to a little oto it might look like mum...!!!! The rainbow is doing it's best to get away, but the little otos are very persistent!!! I nearly cried I was laughing so much

 

[zig]

well, I bit the bullet and bought 3 little oto's this afternoon...tank params are spot on, so fingers crossed they will do OK!

I just really wanted to share something that made me laugh though...

I spent quite a while acclimatising them to the tank water conditions, by adding a bit of tank water every 5 minutes or so for a little while...anyway, when the time came, I released them into the tank and stepped back...the promptly disappeared into opposite corners!

I figured they would do best left alone for a little while to settle in, well I went in to check them about 10 minutes ago to find all three of them following around one of my Madagscar rainbows like little ducklings!!!! These rainbows have quite an elongated body and a prominent lateral stripe, so I guess to a little oto it might look like mum...!!!! The rainbow is doing it's best to get away, but the little otos are very persistent!!! I nearly cried I was laughing so much

[snapback]870488[/snapback]​

I have 6 Zebra Danios in the tank with my ottos, and i was a bit worried that the danios would bully the ottos when i added them to the tank, for about 30 seconds the danios tried to intimidate the ottos by bumping into them, after that then the ottos started chaseing the danios around, they werent taking any crap from the danios, but now they all get along just fine and the ottos will now regularily school with the danios and follow them around, great little fish, some of my favourites.