What can help with algae in figure 8 tank

[Earthgirl]

I am sorry, I know that everyone is tired of this question about algae and compatability. )

I am really tired of algae build up in his little tank. He loves is because I pay attention to him, always swimming around cleaning things. BUt is there anything to help with the algae, or am I completely stuck with weekly cleaning all the ordements in his tank. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have gotten him or the other fish if I didn't enjoy the cleaning, well maybe not the cleaning.

Any ideas or comments are greatly appreciated!
I can take it!

 

[CFC]

Since figure eight puffers are brackish you will have to keep to the old fashioned method of keeping nitrates low and scraping algea off the glass by hand.

 

[Earthgirl]

Darn it!
I do a weekly water change and the old fashion method of scraping.
I thought that, but thought I would ask anyways, thanks CFC!

 

[Puffer_freak]

Oh bum! I was hoping for something along the lines as well, and I know I should know better tooo.... )

But, I suppose I'll spend more money on plants that just get eaten....

 

[cometcattle]

For cleaning the glass, I use one of these:

http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...D=1096484332473

I'm happy with mine.

 

[MAM]

does your tank get a lot of direct sunshine? or do you just keep the lights on a long time?

 

[Earthgirl]

When I bought the tank, I purchased a better light than what came with the tank. I got one of those new halogen (I think, the swirly kind) that would last longer than the old kinds of lights. I was also warned that they do a really good job growing plant (that we all know don't do well with puffers or barkish unless you get a specific kind for the brakish, which none of my lfs offers).
Anyways, I knew that I would have this problem, just hoping, wondering, wishing, ...
Thanks for all the tips though!

 

[puffer with big pointy teeth]

i have a figure eight puffer and a plecostomos in a brackish tank and they do just fine together. in fact i have had it this way for a long time and i do not think they know each other exsits (but because of this, i have no algae problems). just make sure the plecostomos is fairly mature and a good size comparable to the puffer.

 

[appleblossom]

do plecos tolerate brackish water??

and earthgirl, see if your lfs can get in some java fern or java moss for you, they both tolerate low brackish conditions, i have both in an sg of 1.006 with no problems.

 

[Earthgirl]

Thanks Appleblossom, I will try that on Friday, something has gotta help

 

[jacblades]

Since figure eight puffers are brackish you will have to keep to the old fashioned method of keeping nitrates low and scraping algea off the glass by hand.

are there no brackish algae eaters in existance or just none common to the trade?
i know olive nerite snails do a wonderful job but im sure the puffer would devour them...

 

[Dwarfs]

The best algae eaters (plecos and ottos) are salt intolerant, shrimp would be eaten, and snails would be massacred

 

[subopposite]

I had an algae scraper and it sucked. I bought a magnetic algae remover and it is the best brackish algae eater out there. It will get the job done much faster than any algae eater too. Magnetic algae remover puts my scraper to absolute shame. If you haven't tried one, you don't know what your missing if you have brackish waters.

 

[bshockstubb]

You know that banjo catfish and the Black-Fin Shark are brackish. They arent alage eaters but they do keep the bottom clean!

 

[CFC]

You know that banjo catfish and the Black-Fin Shark are brackish. They arent alage eaters but they do keep the bottom clean!

Banjo catfish are not brackish fish and coming from rivers in the amazon basin should never be exposed to salt as it is foreign in their native range.

By black fin shark do you mean Bala shark? If so these too are not brackish fish and although they can tolerate small ammounts of salt should only be kept in freshwater tanks.