What would be best to eat algae in a 20g?

[mrsjoannh13]

I have a 20 gallon tank with 6 skirt tetras. GH is 25 and KH is about 120. pH 7.6-ish. It is not a planted tank (just artificial plants). I would like to get something to eat algae. Obviously it would need to be something small based on size of the tank. I'd prefer something that the fish won't eat as I don't want to keep restocking them. That said, I wouldn't mind if something like shrimp had babies and the tetras ate the babies to keep the population at bay.

Also - when you have something like shrimp in your tank, is it advisable to still gravel vac? I'm assuming the little guys just get out of the way or you can watch out for them well enough to not suck them up in the siphon.

Any suggestions for more experienced fish gurus are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Fishmar]

The best way to fight algae is to discover what is causing the algae.
What type of algae will also be an important piece of info.
This info will help us better diagnose the issue.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

The best way to fight algae is to discover what is causing the algae.
What type of algae will also be an important piece of info.
This info will help us better diagnose the issue.

I guess that would have been helpful info to add.... so honestly I don't have much algae. It's mainly this brownish slime that builds up on the airline tubing and cords in the tank as well as some minimal build-up on the glass (I think it's brown diatome algae?). I am controlling it pretty well now by simply wiping the glass during weekly water changes and giving anything else coated with it a quick rub in a bucket of tank water. So there's not a lot of green algae on the glass or anything floating at the surface - nothing like that. The water is very clear.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I would not suggest adding and fish to help with the algae, they usually cause more complications.

Will you please upload a photo of the tank?

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Here are 2 photos of my daughter's tank - one is a wide shot and one is the best close-up I could get of one of the cords with the brown slimy stuff on it.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Is it just on the cord?

“Brown slime stuff” is common for tanks, believe me. I just cleaned my filters today and got a ton of stuff out of them.

Is that cord right next to the filter?

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Is it just on the cord?

“Brown slime stuff” is common for tanks, believe me. I just cleaned my filters today and got a ton of stuff out of them.

Is that cord right next to the filter?

Yes, so it's mainly just on the cords to the heater and the filter motor box thingy. In that photo it's the airline tubing to the clam shell. So is it maybe not algae and just something normal that happens in aquariums? Should I just keep wiping it off during water changes? Thank you for the help. I am trying to keep the tank in good shape and teach my daughter all about proper maintenance.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Yes, so it's mainly just on the cords to the heater and the filter motor box thingy. In that photo it's the airline tubing to the clam shell. So is it maybe not algae and just something normal that happens in aquariums? Should I just keep wiping it off during water changes? Thank you for the help. I am trying to keep the tank in good shape and teach my daughter all about proper maintenance.

If it were truly diatoms, they would be everywhere, particularly underneath the light.

I think it’s just scum from your filter. When was the last took it apart and cleaned it?

 

[mrsjoannh13]

If it were truly diatoms, they would be everywhere, particularly underneath the light.

I think it’s just scum from your filter. When was the last took it apart and cleaned it?

It is a new filter. I just upgraded from a 10g to a 20g about a week or 2 ago and I got a new filter in the process. I did transfer over the filter media but it's all in good shape - no real build up or anything to speak of.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

It is a new filter. I just upgraded from a 10g to a 20g about a week or 2 ago and I got a new filter in the process. I did transfer over the filter media but it's all in good shape - no real build up or anything to speak of.

Hmm... interesting. I would just keep removing it before each weekly water change. Doesn’t really strike me as diatoms.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Hmm... interesting. I would just keep removing it before each weekly water change. Doesn’t really strike me as diatoms.

Okay thank you so much!

 

[mcordelia]

Consider a mystery snail! Or a nerite, but I have no experience with those. I had a mystery snail in my previous fishkeeping life, and it was fun to watch! They have a tendency to climb out of tanks but the topfin 20 that you have has a pretty tight fitting lid, so I don't think that would be a big risk in your case. Often, if they do escape you are able to plop them back into the tank as long as it's within the same or the next day and they will be fine.

 

[Fish4dawin]

@mrsjoannh13 I never noticed that the pink skirt tetra had such long fins. The skirt tetras are also referred to as glowfish.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

@mrsjoannh13 I never noticed that the pink skirt tetra had such long fins. The skirt tetras are also referred to as glowfish.

Those are long-fins. Apparently they have 'regular' ones and long fin ones. The red one and electric green one have the long fins.

Right - they are glofish tetras. I usually just say skirt tetras so everyone knows the specific type of tetra I'm referring to.

 

[CassCats]

Your water is too soft for shrimp unfortunately, except maybe some of the caridina shrimps, so don't suggest those. And also too soft for snails. The caridina shrimp like softer water and are pretty, but would be an expensive snack potentially. Adults would be left alone but babies would be chomped.

Great water parameters though for some otocinclus, but id swap to live plants before adding those. How long has the tank been set up? Would suggest them only if the tank has been set up for 6 months at least. But even so, they may not eat harder algaes. They will love diatoms though. But if you opt for them, they may require supplements still of wafers and veggies, if you can convince them to eat them.

But thats only if you want more fish. They need groups of 6 at least as well. If you choose them, check that they don't have sunken in bellies when you buy them. Theyre a bit delicate.

But, on the other hand, you would have more gravel vacuuming and filter cleaning to do with adding more fish as well, so think on that one. Wiping down the glass and keeping a good eye on your light timing and intensity may be easier.

So just depends if you want more fish or just looking for something to ease maintenance. If you want more fish then yes. Want easier maintenance, better to stick to just wiping it down yourself.