Diatome cleanup

[dmolavi]

As I mentioned in a previous thread, I have finally gotten my phophates under control, and I'm hoping for the diatomes to start to disappear. I don't have a "bad" problem with them, since I only really have to clean the glass about once a month to get a half dozen or so spots off, but they seem to be lingering in the gravel and on the decor, regardless of how thoroughly I siphon.

It was suggested to use nerites, but my LFS told me that even though they prefer brackish to reproduce, they will still start in a freshwater tank. That was enough for my wife to put up an anti-nerite wall...no snails in the tank at all.

I have 1 oto in there right now. I know that more would enable faster cleaning, but I'm worried about the extra bioload.

Am I being insane thinking that I won't have any diatomes at all, ever, in the tank? Should I be OK with the fact I only need to clean the glass once a month? My wife accuses me of being an anal engineer...could she be right?

 

[Rivercats]

Nerites can lay eggs in freshwater but they can't hatch. They can either be removed from the glass with an algae magnet or popped off DW with a blunt tool (I use my long handled sissors). If left alone they will slowly dissolve.

A couple Oto's wouldn't add much at all to a tanks bio-load. So that is the route I'd go especially since Oto's prefer being in groups.

 

[mastro80]

I am certainly not experienced like Rivercats, but a school of Otos is really fun to watch and they absolutely destroy algae.

 

[phin]

Otos wont add much to your bioload at all. Get some more.

 

[dmolavi]

Sounds good...It's good to have a reason to go to the LFS besides "Just because"