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Seems like the plecos have done a fine job of cleaning the glass and they are now doing a great job on all the plastic plants..
Thanks for all the info.
I would just scrape until the algae is gone. I will also take an old tooth brush to use for cleaning rocks.
Whatever you do don't use an additives like API's algaefix. The label said it would not harm fish, but it killed all of my danios and most of my multis, despite my water parameters being fine.
You should not relay on "algae eaters" to completely eradicate algae in your aquarium. They can only help to a certain point. To control the algae in your aquarium, you must go for the root problem. Reduce nitrate and phosphate, as well as cut down the time of lights exposure will slow algae growth. Only when you have manageable algae growth, the algae eaters then can do the rest.
"algae eaters" are not just limited to fish. Some shrimp and snails are great at eating algae too.
For a list of recommended algae eaters, you can see Algae Control.
I've had good luck with Malaysian trumpet snails...unless you have cichlids (that eat them). Burrow under the sand in the day, out at night to clean the glass. WAY less messier than plecos, which get huge. Problem with plecos is they are so good at eating algae, they eventually run out of algae to eat. Now you must supplant their diet with algae tabs to avoid them starving, which is a common form of death for them.
Secondary downside of plecos......poop. They make a lot of it.
Algae thrives when nutrients and light are present. You can reduce this by reducing the light cycle a bit, or planting some live, fast growing, stem plants that will suck up the excess nutrients before algae can bloom. Sometimes just adjusting the light cycle a bit and keeping the tank clean is all you need.
Youre only half right on the Pleco's, the common pleco does get huge and I wish people would stop buying them. There are plenty of other Plecos that stay a reasonable size. I have 3 albino bn pleco and none of them exceed probably 5 to 6".
Quote:
Originally Posted by BostonMike7
I've had good luck with Malaysian trumpet snails...unless you have cichlids (that eat them). Burrow under the sand in the day, out at night to clean the glass. WAY less messier than plecos, which get huge. Problem with plecos is they are so good at eating algae, they eventually run out of algae to eat. Now you must supplant their diet with algae tabs to avoid them starving, which is a common form of death for them.
Secondary downside of plecos......poop. They make a lot of it.
Algae thrives when nutrients and light are present. You can reduce this by reducing the light cycle a bit, or planting some live, fast growing, stem plants that will suck up the excess nutrients before algae can bloom. Sometimes just adjusting the light cycle a bit and keeping the tank clean is all you need.
Youre only half right on the Pleco's, the common pleco does get huge and I wish people would stop buying them. There are plenty of other Plecos that stay a reasonable size. I have 3 albino bn pleco and none of them exceed probably 5 to 6".
That is true, but they tend to be harder to find. 9 times out of 10, when someone walks into a pet shop, they walk out with a common Plec.
Can't tell you the number of times I've walked into someone's house to see a 10G aquarium with a 12" plec hanging on the side
That is true, but they tend to be harder to find. 9 times out of 10, when someone walks into a pet shop, they walk out with a common Plec.
Can't tell you the number of times I've walked into someone's house to see a 10G aquarium with a 12" plec hanging on the side
Here every big box store carries the albino bn pleco.
Yeah I hate to see that too man, and they seem to be proud that the fish got so big and you see the thing bent over in a cramped tank gasping to breathe.
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