ReyK
Aquarium Advice Regular
I've got a developing algae problem in my 15-gallon column tank. There are a couple factors that could possibly be contributing to this problem, but the most likely culprit is the fact that in the afternoon, it gets lots of indirect sunlight, even with the curtains closed. I clean the tank walls weekly or sometimes biweekly if I forget or get too busy, but the brownish algae just keeps coming back, so I'm trying to find either a fish or invert that can help me combat the problem. And before you ask, moving the tank isn't an option because the counter it's on is the only place it both fits and can hold the weight of the tank (estimated about 120-140lbs)
For my clean-up crew, I currently have three ghost shrimp, a rather large black mystery snail, and a random baby snail that I think is a nerite. The other stock is one betta (very docile, does not nip fins at all), one male and two female guppies, and one adolescent guppy I am unsure of the sex yet. What should I add to help combat this problem? I'm thinking of getting 2-3 more mystery snails, unless there's a better option. I also plan to get 1-2 more female guppies as well.
PS- I read that corydoras/dwarf corydoras are good cleaners, but I wasn't sure if they'd do well in my tank since the dimensions are 13.5" long by 13.5" wide by 19" tall. That makes a footprint of only 1.25 square feet, which is pretty small, especially for fish that are generally bottom dwellers. I do have rocks and a cave that adds a little surface area, but not much.
For my clean-up crew, I currently have three ghost shrimp, a rather large black mystery snail, and a random baby snail that I think is a nerite. The other stock is one betta (very docile, does not nip fins at all), one male and two female guppies, and one adolescent guppy I am unsure of the sex yet. What should I add to help combat this problem? I'm thinking of getting 2-3 more mystery snails, unless there's a better option. I also plan to get 1-2 more female guppies as well.
PS- I read that corydoras/dwarf corydoras are good cleaners, but I wasn't sure if they'd do well in my tank since the dimensions are 13.5" long by 13.5" wide by 19" tall. That makes a footprint of only 1.25 square feet, which is pretty small, especially for fish that are generally bottom dwellers. I do have rocks and a cave that adds a little surface area, but not much.