Time To Add Some Algae Eating Fish?

[DreamertK]

Some species of pleco's will stop eatting algea as they age. As well you should still feed them algea wafers to supplement their diet. It might be less costly if you just did a blackout and limited how long you have the lights on. That worked for me.

 

[FlyingFish78]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Some species of pleco's will stop eatting algea as they age. As well you should still feed them algea wafers to supplement their diet. It might be less costly if you just did a blackout and limited how long you have the lights on. That worked for me.

How does a blackout work? Wouldn't that kill the plants or harm the fish?

 

[Gruntle]

Blackout just denies the algae the light they need to survive. Generally speaking, the plants and fish can survive a few days without light, but the algae die off. Just cover your tank up with something that doesn't allow light to penetrate (black plastic, blanket, sleeping bag), feed the fish sneakily (without allowing lots of light for extended periods) and your algae should disappear.

I feel I must also add that I've found that the green algae is not something I've found anything ever eats (snails, plecos or any other fish). I made the mistake of leaving my light on one week on holiday and spent ages scrubbing the green monster off of everything in the tank except for the fish. Should have bit the bullet and wrapped the tank up, but I didn't discover this site in time. Other algae gets eaten, but not the green.

 

[508]

I'd get Otos, they're lovely little fish. Very active, fun to watch and they really do keep your tank clean. I have a 200L and my tank is nearly spotless.

 

[DreamertK]

I wouldn't recommend anyone get oto's. They are so easily killed by fishkeepers who don't supplement their diet. People shouldn't buy fish just to clean up after their own messes, especially when the non-fishbuying alternative is so easy.

 

[hobby5]

I also would recommend against algae eaters. Algae problems are not solved by fish but by adjusting plants, light and nutrition. You are better off with that question in some plant forum or in the plant section.
 
Btw you state you got very hard water, but buy soft water fish, why?