Algae eater

thetupak · #1 (**permalink**) 11-06-2004, 10:50 PM

I got an algae eater to get ride of some of my algae. I have a cichlid in the tank and the pet store said that the cichlid wouldn't hurt it. I got home today and the cichlid had killed and eaten almost all of the algae eat. I know it shouldn't surprise me that they would tell me that but is there anything I could put in there to get ride of the algae that the cichlid wont kill.

telefrag · #2 (**permalink**) 11-06-2004, 11:03 PM

What type of algae eater was it? one of the chinese algae eaters, or a plecostomus?

About the only algae eating fish that most cichlids cant kill is a plecostomus, because of the armor scaling it has.

But remember, that not all algae eaters eat the type of algae common in aquariums.

WhiteLips · #3 (**permalink**) 11-06-2004, 11:46 PM

telefrag is right- plecostomus is armored & not terribly friendly- but mine has done a stellar job removing algae for the last 3 years! nothing in the tank messes with him

thetupak · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2004, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telefrag

What type of algae eater was it? one of the chinese algae eaters, or a plecostomus?

About the only algae eating fish that most cichlids cant kill is a plecostomus, because of the armor scaling it has.

But remember, that not all algae eaters eat the type of algae common in aquariums.

That's it the plecostomus. He eat it from the bottom of it, The only thing left was the outer shell

haroldo359 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2004, 01:45 AM

i have had turtles eat plctostomuses before, but never fish.

thetupak · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2004, 01:51 AM

it was a small one maybe that's why he killed it. I got some guppies in there with him,maybe I need to get a big one

telefrag · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2004, 02:05 AM

sounds like it was def too small , if another fish could kill it so easily.

They are pretty tough, and most fish wont mess with them after they get a certain size.

thetupak · #8 (**permalink**) 11-07-2004, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telefrag

sounds like it was def too small , if another fish could kill it so easily.

They are pretty tough, and most fish wont mess with them after they get a certain size.

well how big should I get? The cichlid is about 3" if that helps oh and the tank is a 20 gallon long

Atlanta Braves Baby! · #9 (**permalink**) 11-07-2004, 01:11 PM

For such a small tank you should consider just cleaning the algae off yourself. It is really easy. Plecos tend to poop more than they eat anyway.

haroldo359 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-08-2004, 02:24 AM

i would think any size pleco would be okay with a three inch cichlid. what kinda cichlid? i always like plecos. i have a marble sailfin pleco in my tank, and it is one of my favorite fish.

thetupak · #11 (**permalink**) 11-08-2004, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haroldo359

i would think any size pleco would be okay with a three inch cichlid. what kinda cichlid? i always like plecos. i have a marble sailfin pleco in my tank, and it is one of my favorite fish.

It's a convict

telefrag · #12 (**permalink**) 11-08-2004, 03:19 AM

convicts can be pretty voracious, and aggressive.

I think it probably is better to clean the algae off yourself, the extra bio load that a pleco (especially once it starts to really grow) could possibly tax your filtration, and degrade the water quality for the fish the tank is really for.

What kind of algae are you having a problem with?

I.e. brown algae (on rocks and glass), green algae (on rocks/glass) green algae (free floating in the water), or long filimantous hairly algae?

You may have other options depending on the type of algae.

haroldo359 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-08-2004, 03:30 AM

i never had problems with convicts. *shrug*

kerri4776 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-08-2004, 05:29 AM

im thinking maybe the pleco might have died the the fish ate it....just a thought though.

thetupak · #15 (**permalink**) 11-09-2004, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telefrag

convicts can be pretty voracious, and aggressive.

I think it probably is better to clean the algae off yourself, the extra bio load that a pleco (especially once it starts to really grow) could possibly tax your filtration, and degrade the water quality for the fish the tank is really for.

What kind of algae are you having a problem with?

I.e. brown algae (on rocks and glass), green algae (on rocks/glass) green algae (free floating in the water), or long filimantous hairly algae?

You may have other options depending on the type of algae.

It's green algae on the rocks and fake plants. How do I remove it myself?

telefrag · #16 (**permalink**) 11-09-2004, 07:42 PM

have you done a water test to see if you have alot of phosphates in your water?

tap water in some areas is really hard, and contains lots of minerals that will promote certain type of algae growth, and algae eating fish usually only eat certain types of algae.

Only way to really get rid of it, is to remove the plants and clean them off with hot water and scrubbing, and let them dry.

As far as rocks, you can remove them and do the same thing, but if its gravel, about your only option is a siphon.

I'd do some water tests.

phosphates really wont hurt your fish, but it can contribute to unsightly algae.

Also, what type of filtration are you using? UGF, canister, hang on tank power filter...

also what type of media are in any external filters if your using them?

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