I need help picking a algae eater!

[Streetbob]

Hey guys, I need some help picking out a good algae eater for my tank witch has been running for close to 2 months. I don't care if it's a fish, shrimp, or snail I just want it to be compatible with the fish and plants I already have in my tank and I want a hard worker! I have been getting the brown Diatom algae witch has slowed down and Green algae on my rocks, live plants, and tank glass. The fish and plants I already have are...

4 - Denison Barbs
19 - Serpae Tetras
1 - L129 Pleco
1 - L201 Pleco
3 - Amazon Swords
Java Moss
2 sets of 2 of freshwater plants that I'm not sure what they are.

My PH has seemed to settle around 6.6 and I have a inline Co2 system pumping around 1.5bps 24 hours a day.

[Austy16414]

A single or small group of Siamese Algae Eaters should get the job done. Nerite snails and amano shrimp are also good options

[Streetbob]

I have been really thinking about the Nerite Snail but read somewhere that they lay a TON of small white eggs all over your tank? How many would you recommend on a 55 gallon set-up?

[Austy16414]

They can and will lay eggs which can be an eyesore, but I believe they are far superior to amanos for algae control. I'd say a group of in the area of 5 to 10 would be good. You can also try not adding livestock, but instead reducing your photoperiod or doing a blackout

[Streetbob]

I'm just afraid if I do a blackout and it does work they would be back shortly after and I've already reduced my light time from 12hrs to 10hrs a day and my swords are already suffering from that.

[Austy16414]

Have you tried a "siesta"? Something along the lines of 4-5 hours on, 2 hours off, 4-5 hours on

[Streetbob]

Not yet, but I could give that a try!

[troy tucker]

In my planted tank I do 4 hours on 2 hours off and another 4 hours on. It keep the algae from growing.

[mredman]

My first thought would be to crank up the CO2 and increase the plant load. Assuming you have decent lighting, your algae levels will decline. Supplemental dosing with glutaraldehyde can also be very effective. I use 2.6% glutaraldehydedaily (21 ml in a 135 gallon tank). You can purchase this product by the gallon on the Internet or can use Flourish Excel, which I believe has a concentration of 1.5%. I don't believe the algae issue can be solved by fish alone. Also, snails normally do not have long lifespans in low pH tanks (my pH is 6.0). I have not messed with photoperiod like Troy. My lights are on for eight continuous hours every day.

Mike

[ptran]

Bristle nose plecos is the hardest worker for algae.

[dhnguyen99]

I think Urchin will help you that problem.

[mredman]

Urchins

I think Urchin will help you that problem.

Cool!!! Where can I buy a freshwater urchin?
Mike

[dhnguyen99]

I didn't know your question for freshwater. ..lol Urchine for saltwater only.

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