Otocinclus -- diet supplement

[tear-scar]

Hey guys. Recently added an oto to the 5 gal (which is even more densely planted now than in the photo). Anyway, he's doing well, and there's still a small amount of algae for him to eat. There were minute portions on some of the plants and the back wall of the tank (where I couldn't scrape without disturbing the plants) when I introduced him, but at the rate he's cleaning up, I don't think it'll last much longer.

Basically, what should I do to supplement his diet when most of it is gone?

Right now, I do add algae wafers 2 times a week for the c. sterbai in the tank. Is that enough for the oto too? I was thinking I could also do cucumber slice like I have for the clown pleco in my 20 gal . . . will the oto go for that?

thanks

 

[clutterydrawer]

they will probably go for algae wafers and for vegetables eg cucumber, lettuce, zucchini (sp?)

however you could just grow them some more algae - put some pebbles in a jam jar of tank water on a sunny windowsill, there you go , instant otto food.

 

[corrosive]

however you could just grow them some more algae - put some pebbles in a jam jar of tank water on a sunny windowsill, there you go , instant otto food.

Cool, thats a good idea, can you use anything other than pebals? i will get some growing in a couple of days, as im stocking up with oto's ina week or two.

 

[clutterydrawer]

Cool, thats a good idea, can you use anything other than pebals? i will get some growing in a couple of days, as im stocking up with oto's ina week or two.

I guess you could use anything that is tank safe and has a good surface...why don;t you wanna use pebbles?

Also is your tank cycled? you might want to leave the ottos till last whether it is or not, as they're very delicate and like an established tank. I don't mean to sound patronising, jsut checking you know

 

[corrosive]

I will get my little hardy fish in there first, plus that will help cycle the tank through and make it establish much nicer for my oto's.

I gotta put at least 4 plants in the tank yet, and sort out the air pump hoses.

Also im probably gunna get a heater/thermostat in there, but at the minute im not sure, if my light is stablising temp at 25-27C.

 

[clutterydrawer]

I will get my little hardy fish in there first, plus that will help cycle the tank through and make it establish much nicer for my oto's.

I gotta put at least 4 plants in the tank yet, and sort out the air pump hoses.

Also im probably gunna get a heater/thermostat in there, but at the minute im not sure, if my light is stablising temp at 25-27C.

Sweet. Waht is the temperature at night, when the light is off?

 

[corrosive]

I will get my little hardy fish in there first, plus that will help cycle the tank through and make it establish much nicer for my oto's.

I gotta put at least 4 plants in the tank yet, and sort out the air pump hoses.

Also im probably gunna get a heater/thermostat in there, but at the minute im not sure, if my light is stablising temp at 25-27C.

Sweet. Waht is the temperature at night, when the light is off?

Good point i will need one anyway! as at night in the winter it will get cold i would imagine, i will tell you the temp tonight though .

Saying all that though, due to my pc being in my bedroom as well, my room is usually hot, more than the other rooms in the house, in winter and summer, with or without radiators on.

 

[clutterydrawer]

Ah fair enough. A lot of people don't even use heaters, or not all the time - there was a thread about it a while back. I use one anyway cos I am paranoid.

 

[corrosive]

I think it will be good idea to get one on a thermostat, just so if the temperature drops, the heater will come on a bring the temperature backup.

sorry for destroying the thread.

 

[tear-scar]

naw, it's cool. Thanks for the info on the "grow your own otto food." I think I'll try that. Anyway, until then, it's cucumber wedge. I like 'em because they don't break down that fast in water.

Anyway, I myself don't use a heater. They're tropical fish right? Well, I live in Hawaii . . . personally, I think it's the ideal place to keep fish. The climate is tropical, and incredibly stable, for 2 reasons. First, because of our close-ness to the equater, second because we're a tiny land mass in the vast ocean. Because of the ocean's vast size, and the way heat spreads in water, the ocean's temperature cannot drop or raise dramatically. If the islands get too hot, the ocean absorbs the excess heat; if the islands get too cold, they absorb heat from the ocean.

Another great reason to keep fish in Hawaii, is because of the water quality. Water collects in deep basins beneath the mountains, and that's where we pull it from. The island is a natural purifyer, and the water is pure and clean from the many years of moving through lava rock to reach the basins. Basically, we don't add chlorine to water . . . we basically do almost nothing to it. Thus, tap water has to be checked, but it is often ready instantly for use in the aquarium.

 

[corrosive]

Sounds cool, mate i really like your planted tank, it looks bigger than 5g from the picture ?

Do you have a picture of the whole tank its self?

thanks.

 

[clutterydrawer]

Oh well it's alright for some! At least you don;t live in sunny england


corrosive (if you're still here!) if you get two smaller heaters, rather than one big one, it makes it even safer, cos if one breaks, the other one keeps your tank stabler till you can replace the broken one. not essential though.

 

[corrosive]

corrosive (if you're still here!) if you get two smaller heaters, rather than one big one, it makes it even safer, cos if one breaks, the other one keeps your tank stabler till you can replace the broken one. not essential though.

Also if i ran two heaters it would even out the heat?

My lfs said £22 for heater/thermostat, but i can get them from a company on eBay who are local for like £13.99.

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...820995&tc=photo
Also do these have thermostats or do you just have to adjust temp your self?

 

[clutterydrawer]

I'm not sure...heat in my tank (i only have one heater) seems pretty even but I imagine two smaller heaters would be better.

IME Most tank heaters are thermostatted. I havn't encountered that brand before but the ad mentions a "bi metallic strip" which i believe is the active part of the thermostat. should be good.

tear-scar I'm sorry for stealing your thread I hope your ottos live long, well-nourished lives!

 

[corrosive]

Yep and me! anyways i destroying your topic but this is all going to help my oto's live long when i get them.

So thank you.