Can I add Otto’s to my tank??

[mkm1174]

I’m having some algae issues in my 10g planted tank. I’m curious if I should add 2 Otto’s? It’s currently stocked with

1 male beta
3 harlequin rasboras
4 purple harlequin rasboras
3 albino corys

I have 4 Otto’s in my other 20g tank, would it be a good idea to move 2 over into my 10g for awhile to help clear the algae? That way I won’t have my 10g overstocked for too long??

Open to any advice on getting rid of algae!! water is tested and in good levels, fish are happy just the tank looking ugly lately!!

Pic of my beta for attention
(Plants are thriving)

 

[Andy Sager]

Algae need 2 things to grow, light and food. Check your nitrates. If they are high, you need to reduce them. Are you using any fertilizers for your plants? Are you overfeeding your fish? What kind of algae do you see present? It's hard to tell in your pictures with all the plants. Has this tank gone through the nitrogen cycle yet or is it like your other tank?

 

[mkm1174]

This tank is cycled and the nitrate is on the lower end, 10ppm. I use thrive+ fertilizer about once a week and have the light on a 24/7 light where it mimics the natural sun/moon. I mayyyy be over feeding, I try not too but I want to make sure they all get some. I will lower that. I think it’s brown algae, when I’m home I will get better pictures.

 

[Andy Sager]

This tank is cycled and the nitrate is on the lower end, 10ppm. I use thrive+ fertilizer about once a week and have the light on a 24/7 light where it mimics the natural sun/moon. I mayyyy be over feeding, I try not too but I want to make sure they all get some. I will lower that. I think it’s brown algae, when I’m home I will get better pictures.

Does your light also imitate the new moon phase where there is no light at night? If not, you need to cut back on some light hours and if you have nitrates in the water, cut back on the fertilizer and fish food. It's better to feed the fish small amounts of food more often than to feed larger amounts once a day. To do this you just calculate how much food your fish eat in a day then divide the portions by the number of times you feed. For example, if you feed twice a day, cut the amount in half. If you feed three times a day, cut the amount into thirds, and so on. You can feed as many times as you want as long as you are not overfeeding at each feeding. There should be no leftover food in the tank after 1-2 minutes.
Brown algae is usually diatoms which are common in new tanks or tanks where there is ample amounts of food and light. They will go away on their own if you reduce the light and food they feed on. The Otos can help but the concern is overcrowding. There is no such thing as being overcrowded for a short time. Overcrowding is a potential disaster waiting to happen all the time. You will need to keep tabs on the water quality because the Otos eating will be producing more waste which will be adding to the nitrate level.

Hope this helps

 

[mkm1174]

Yes my lights turn off at night and do the moon phase as well. I have probably been over feeding so I’ll fix that. Yes that helps a lot! Thanks for your help!!

 

[Andy Sager]

Yes my lights turn off at night and do the moon phase as well. I have probably been over feeding so I’ll fix that. Yes that helps a lot! Thanks for your help!!