Algae Eater of some sort

[orangepunkins]

I Need advise on what kind of algae eater I should get. I have a 55 gal tank with community fish and a few live plants. I also have driftwood in the tank. I seem to be having issues with algae. I had a regular plecostomus which I had to re-home because he no longer cleaned the tank as it should have been and his tail was shredding my plant leaves. He was about 4-5 inches. So now I'm in need of an algae eater that does not get really big and is not agressive. Any advise will be a great help. Thank U

 

[Reygan2]

Hi! What type of algae do you have?

 

[knutsen1122]

I would get a few Otocinclus. They stay very small and are savages when it comes to cleaning algae. They are even gentle enough to clean your most delicate plants.


-Colin

 

[Reygan2]

My otos never made much difference that I could tell. I still had algae form on the glass as well as other types on my plants. Depends on the type of algae the OP is dealing with.

 

[knutsen1122]

What I did was use a magnet glass cleaner to get the bulk off then bought three Otos and let them do the rest. I don't think they can handle it on there own, but since, I haven't had any issues.


-Colin

 

[elephantnose]

I have 3 otos in my 55g and I never see algae. You could also try bristle nose Plecos they stay small and will actually eat algae. I think they max out at 4".


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[absolutangel04]

I suggest wiping down your glass, avoiding direct sunlight into the tank, and limiting the amount of time the lights are on in the tank.

 

[orangepunkins]

I have a green in may places and a little brown here and there. Mostly green

 

[orangepunkins]

I do not have direct sunlight on the tank. And my lights are on timers from 7-12 on and off 12-4 and back on 4-7

 

[orangepunkins]

I found these at the local petshop. I didn't buy any on this trip. I'm doing my research first.
bristlenose plecostomus $9.99
albino bushynose $5.29
otocinclus $2.49
Does anyone have these? Do they get big/aggressive/plant eaters?

 

[elephantnose]

The otos and BN will be fine with plants and yes they eat algae. I couldn't say about the bushy nose as I've never had one.


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[Gillie]

Bushy nose and bristle nose are the same fish, you could also try nerite snails or amano shrimp if you don't have any fish big enough to eat them.

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[Ian086]

Bushy nose and bristle nose are the same fish, you could also try nerite snails or amano shrimp if you don't have any fish big enough to eat them.

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I prefer Nerite snails myself as I find bristlenoses poop ALOT....