Algae eaters, Best in your opinion?

[Exigenn]

Im interested what people think is the best or personal preference. Im not saying it should be a fix if you have bad algae problems but something along the lines of planted tanks with minor algae, Which one/ones do you prefer.

Personally i hate plecos
I have never had much luck with snails
I love amano shrimp/RCS
Otos are my go to with amano shrimp

 

[LayzorBeams]

Otos are best if you can keep them alive...

Plecos usually don't do much, BNs are ok.

Not too much experience with others.


Sent from my iPod touch using Aquarium Advice

 

[Brookster123]

Amano shrimp will graze on most forms I've seen, although they eat it they won't clear it.
a fleet of otos will keep your plants clean ime, again... if it's out of control they won't clear it.
Bn plecos will completely clean up diatoms on glass and hardscape over night, witnessed this on several tanks. They do not clear the greener forms very well, they crap like it's the only mission they've been sent to earth to accomplish so it's a major give and take.
The most effective means in killing alage is getting in your tank and mimicking a pleco, seems human lips are very well adapted at rasping algae off glass, careful on hardscape though.. chipped a tooth on my lace rock, should have seen the look on my dentist face..

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Exigenn]

Im not sure what to think about that last part lol. Anyone have experience with snails? I only have ever had mystery and pest snails, Wondering if nerite is worth a shot with a gang of ottos when my new tank becomes established.

I personally had plecos shredding plants before, Its what a while ago before i took a tank-hiatus while moving. So not sure if it was maybe just that one or that tpe or something.

 

[Yagonyonok]

The most effective means in killing alage is getting in your tank and mimicking a pleco, seems human lips are very well adapted at rasping algae off glass, careful on hardscape though.. chipped a tooth on my lace rock, should have seen the look on my dentist face..

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

Brookster, photos or it didn't happen. [emoji28] and I mean photos of you in tank cleaning, not the chipped tooth.

I have had good luck with otos and BN plecos. They have kept most the algae clear while not destroying my plants.

 

[Laeris]

For algae I like nerite snails, otocinclus and any shrimp but ghost. Ghost shrimp look objectionable. The kind of objectionable that makes me want to take off a shoe and set to. Mystery snails, not so much. They're great for me as after dinner guests who forgot their takeaway containers, like cory catfish.


Sent from my iPad using Aquarium Advice

 

[shellyx]

My favorite has to be nerites, I have them in both off my tanks. My zebra nerite is the most active off the nerites I keep, he's also over 4yrs old and still going!

55 gallon elephant nose tank.
30 gallon shrimp and snail tank

 

[Fishobsessed7]

I've never had otos, so I'm going to vote for nerites!


Fishobsessed7

Money Can't Buy Happiness, But It Can Buy Fish Which Is Pretty Much The Same Thing

 

[Anders247]

Imo, the best are nerite snails.

 

[Pseudomugil]

Nerite snails are amazing. I've had a tiger blood nerite that's lived for 10 years and is still going. It is the best algae eater I've ever had.

Another really cool option (not quite as good as nerites but still good) is any species of goby from the genus stiphodon. I've owned blue neons and rainbow gobies and they clear plants of algae plus love to get everything off of rocks/decor. They're not so much for glass though.

 

[TheresaM]

Depending on the size of the tank: otos, Amanos, nerite snails.

 

[fishliker]

Funny this thread has come up now. I just got my first 5 nerite snails for the 55 gallon tank yesterday. So far I think they are great! They are pretty, are all around the tank and fun to watch. The only downside I know of so far is they are too heavy for eating off the plane leaves. My privately owned fish store guy loves them, says he has 15 of them in his 55 gallon tank.

I have bought 6 ottos twice in the last several months and I cannot keep them, they just slowly disappear over time. Too delicate and its too bad, they are cute and do eat the algae. Some people here seem able to keep them though. Good luck!









Sent from my iPad using Aquarium Advice

 

[sinibotia]

My favorite algae eater

 

[Exigenn]

^ i lol'd

Never had a problem with otos myself, I don't think i have ever had one die o.o maybe im just lucky.

But it does seem like everyone likes nerites

 

[Laeris]

One of the coolest things about nerites is there are so many different kinds. Zebra, zebra thorn, cats eye, olive green and black that I've found.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Fresh2o]

One of the coolest things about nerites is there are so many different kinds. Zebra, zebra thorn, cats eye, olive green and black that I've found.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

How about the snail dandruff that comes with nerites? A big negative?
I have 4 otos and MTS. No algae issues except for BBA. I use H2O2 spot treatment for that.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[TMRC Exotics]

+1 to Otos, mine does well for algae and has been hardy. Maybe I'm just lucky but I think the key is low nitrates, perhaps why they thrive in well planted tanks.

 

[Laeris]

Never had issues with that. I vacuum maybe 1/4 to 1/3 of substrate every week whether it looks necessary or not. There's always a bit of cloudy yuck to make me feel it's worth doing.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Exigenn]

How about the snail dandruff that comes with nerites? A big negative?
I have 4 otos and MTS. No algae issues except for BBA. I use H2O2 spot treatment for that.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

snail dandruff? What is this/What do you mean. Never heard this before

 

[Fishobsessed7]

Nerites eggs


Fishobsessed7

Money Can't Buy Happiness, But It Can Buy Fish Which Is Pretty Much The Same Thing