Diatom Help

[Gersh]

Hey everyone

After coming back to a small diatom problem after vacation, I cleaned all the decorations and figured it would resolve itself. After a week of being back, it appears that they are starting to come back. What is a good way to get rid of them? I've heard Otos are good option but I don't know if I've got the room for them. I'd love to keep them if I can. Are there any other fish that would love to get a big snack in my aquarium? Would snails or amano shrimp work?

Tank: 20g long
Paramaters: Normal
Stocking: Betta, 2 sunburst platys (plus one new fry), 2 panda corys, 3 neons (of an original 6), 2 female Guppies, and 1 amano shrimp.
Note: I am aware of the stocking issues in my tank. I am actively working on remedying it.

 

[Twistedrider]

Cutting down on light will help. Make sure you don't have any excessive silicates in your water. If you do have a lot of silicates in your water you might try Seachem PhosGaurd. If silicates are removed the diatoms will die overtime. Just a thought.

 

[mambee]

I've found that BNPs will keep them under control.

 

[Twistedrider]

You're right those will help also Siamese algae eaters and Otocinclus catfish eat brown algae too. If you have room in your tank without overcrowding that's a fun way to go. If it get out of control remember PhosGuard works pretty good.

 

[Gersh]

You're right those will help also Siamese algae eaters and Otocinclus catfish eat brown algae too. If you have room in your tank without overcrowding that's a fun way to go. If it get out of control remember PhosGuard works pretty good.

With that stocking do you think it would be overcrowded for a couple ottos?

 

[Twistedrider]

Just remember the Otos will spend their time stuck to wide leaf plants and glass etc. Before they will work you have to have a biofilm on stuff. And remember to feed them algae tabs as a supplement.