What do you reccomend?

[lovleeko]

In my recently set up 55 I have some brown algae. I know this might go away after a while but I was thinking off getting something to feed on it in the mean time. I really dont like most plecos. I like the clown variety and some like that but know they aren't great algae eaters. What do you consider to be an attractive algae eater of some sort. I am not much for the ottos either. And so I read I would have to get a load of them to make a difference in a 55.

[AABatteries]

Gold mystery snails. Just like a mystery snail but with a yellow shell.

[Wild Turkey]

IME mysterys wont eat algae unless you dont give them any food, they really take more algae off the glass by drudging across it than eating it

my vote is for otos, i think they might grow on you. Thats really one of the very few things you can buy easily and be sure its going to eat algae. They are also quite affordable and easy to care for.

Edit: sorry just wanted to edit in: They are so small and cheap that buying 10 or 15 for ur 55 is no biggy and they will make a difference in it i think, in fact i think they will run out of algae in it.

[Lady Hobbs]

Algae or Diatoms? The diatoms are normal in newly set up tanks and goes away in a few months. Very annoying for awhile, tho.

[Fishguy2727]

Your best bets will be ottos, bristlenose plecos, and gold nugget plecos (at least mine does a good job in my 75).

[Algenco]

Your best bets will be ottos, bristlenose plecos, and gold nugget plecos (at least mine does a good job in my 75).


I agree with fishguythumbs2:

[Northernguy]

If you have 3 otos in your tank it would make a difference and they would always have something to eat.

[lovleeko]

Algae or Diatoms? The diatoms are normal in newly set up tanks and goes away in a few months. Very annoying for awhile, tho.


Yeah it's because it is newly set up. Diatoms. I figured it would go away in a few but it is very annoying eye sore. I figured it couldn't hurt to get something to eat it though. I was sort of hoping for something that would be an efficient bottom feeder all together. LOL Probably too much to hope for. No more brown algae:spam: Ive never had this in any of my other tanks even when they were new. But this one does get some sun light when the main door is open and there is a screen door. The dogs are often playing out there as well as the kids and so it gets left open a lot. So that may be the reason why this is the first time I've experienced it even in a new tank.

[lovleeko]

Gold mystery snails. Just like a mystery snail but with a yellow shell.


Well I planed on moving my loaches to the tank so I dont think snails would work. I am always finding myself choosing which to add to my tanks. Snails or loaches. LOL So I have loaches in some and snails in the other.

[lovleeko]

Okay, so I'm thinking the ottos may not be the best idea for the tank because the algae is diatom and will most likely go away. The little guys might starve as I see they aren't much for algae tabs. I am thinking of trying two clown plecos since they are my favorite. Provided they will get along with the loaches and corys. That way maybe between the two of them, they can take care of small amount of alga in the tank and wont starve if it goes way since I plan on feeding veggies and bottom feeding food will be abundant considering the tank mates down there :) What do you guys think?

[OscarFan]

Clown plecos sound good. U might even get a pair if ur lucky.

[Sharon]

I've got Otos in my 55gal, and they do a great job. My Clown Pleco, however, doesn't seem to eat algae...

[lovleeko]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I'm just a bit worried about the brown algae going away and the ottos having nothing to eat. I read that they starve without algae in the tank and that they wont eat supplemented food because it's hard for them to. IDK how true this is. Anyone know how long it takes for diatoms to go away? I dont mind supplementing with algae tabs. I'm just curious.

[Fishguy2727]

My ottos do fine. Mine even eat New Life Spectrum, and like anything else 'if they will eat it they will live'.