Suggestions for 5 gallon algae eaters

[Chicklet]

I am starting to get some algae buildup in some of my 5 gallon tanks..
I don't want any snails in these tanks.......
Any suggestions on what might be the best course of action to take, Fish wise to keep the algae in check....


Also I have Guppies in these tanks....anywhere from 3 adults to about 50 baby fry


thanks

[ZCciVic22]

Off the bat I'd say control the conditions that are causing the algae... Phosphates? Too much light? Where is the tank located? Things like that.

But every tank gets algae, it's even healthy! I'd say go get a couple ottos. They stay very small and are hard workers. They only eat algae though, so if your tank should ever run out, be sure to have algae wafers on hand to feed them.

[PostalPenguin]

A few ottos would work well. You'd probably have to stay on top of water changes though. Instead of fish you could also try some fast growing plants like java moss, anacharis, etc. They will suck up the nutrients instead of the algae.

[Chicklet]

I know the cause,,,
The lights run pretty continually on these tanks...
Not going to change the lighting arrangements either..
Thats why I'm trying to look into other options before it does get out of hand.....

I don't think i've ever seen otto's at walmart... Next time I get to pets unlimited i'll have to see if they have any.....

I have been trying for months to get java moss and they keep selling out on me before I can get there to get some.. bummer!

I do have several other types of plants already planted like the banana, & Cardinal in these tanks..

[toddnbecka]

Nerite snails (1/tank) would be better than Oto's in such a small tank. Or maybe an algae scraper?

[ZCciVic22]

I've heard where you have 1 snail, you have millions. I remember as a kid we used to have a snail problem.

[NickFish]

I know the cause,,,
The lights run pretty continually on these tanks...
Not going to change the lighting arrangements either..




I don't want any snails in these tanks.......
Ok well, lets stop and think first.

You don't want algae, yet you want to continue doing all the things that cause algae.

Algae eaters are probably the single worse way to control algae. In many situations they only cause additional algae, especially in small tanks. Besides, if you don't want snails or otos your options are up.

Sorry, but there is no magical algae eating fairy availble at every wal-mart that will eat all your algae in hours. You have to work with us here.

The definition of insanity is: "Doing the same thing again and again, expecting a different result".
You continue to do the same things over and over that are causing your algae with no intention to stop any of your old habits, yet you expect it go away? No one here is a miracle worker, and jesus left the forum months ago.

You must solve the underlying factors, which in this case are
-Lighting
-Overstocking


If you don't want to solve the underlying factors...well I hope you like the algae where it is, because its sure not going anywhere soon.

Sorry to burst your bubble.

[toddnbecka]

I've heard where you have 1 snail, you have millions. I remember as a kid we used to have a snail problem.
Nerites don't reproduce in FW, in fact it's very rare for them to do so successfully in SW. One snail will remain one snail, not one hundred...

[Chicklet]

No one here is a miracle worker, and jesus left the forum months ago.
Didn't ask for a miracle worker or Jesus!
I simple asked for suggestions not a lecture! thank you very much!

I am not a fish expert nor do I claim to know all the fish available out there..
I was simple looking at other fish options so I could see what possibilities I had to choose from.
If there turns out to be no other fish option (which I somehow doubt) then I will look down other avenues..

If you can't say something nice then why say anything at all....

[NickFish]

If you can't say something nice then why say anything at all....
No, I'm pretty sure that would lead to the extinction of the human race.

Think about it, we'd still be sitting in caves eating rocks because no one would want to insult the other guy's cooking or their home. We'd starve to death!


I simple asked for suggestions not a lecture!

Ok here is a suggestion.

Since you are:

"not a fish expert"

It may be a good idea to take advice from others on the forum. Anyways, I could find quite a few suggestions that tie back to the definition of insanity I stated earlier. Think about it.

Like you also stated:

"nor do I claim to know all the fish available out there"

I do. I used to order all the fish for my lfs. I've seen every fish availble in the aquarium hobby at some time or another, except extremely rare ones that you wouldn't be able to find anyways.
Besides, I don't need to know every fish in the world. If you don't have access to otos (one of the most common aquarium fish out there) there is a very good chance you also will not have access to some of the other fish out there that would work in a pinch.

Now, there are a few shrimp you could try, RCS or Amano Shrimp for example, but you probably won't find them at Wal-Mart. Even if you do find them and stock your tank to the brim with algae eating shrimp, you would still have algae because you refuse to solve the underlying causes. Once again, look back to my definition of insanity.


Anyways, you haven't even told us what kind of algae is in the tank yet.
Yes, there is more than one type of algae, as I'm so sure you know.

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[Jacko]

If you can't say something nice then why say anything at all....

Because he's right...

you can't hope to solve your algae problem by adding more fish when the cause of the algae is that you have too many fish. Stepping up on water change, get a timer for the tank and rethink stocking levels would be your best bet at getting rid of the algae.

After that, I would look into either a nerite snail or a couple amano shrimp. Otocinclus IME should not be kept in anything under a 10 gallon, they are very active schooling fish, and for the most part hardly eat visible algae except diatoms, preferring the microscopic young algae, so while you won't be getting much more algae, you won't be getting rid of it either.

[Chicklet]

If your looking to argue Sorry...

I never said I couldn't find otto's... But I guess U missed that too..


Any other suggestions anyone?

[gm72]

Both of you chill out and do so now.

Chicklet, you identified the problem with excessive lighting. If you aren't going to correct the problem don't expect it to be fixed. Ottos are really your only option but you will continue to have algae until you remedy the root cause.

Nick, there is no way on the face of this earth that anyone here has "seen every fish availble in the aquarium hobby at some time or another, except extremely rare ones that you wouldn't be able to find anyways."

End of argument.

Now, does anyone else have any further suggestions for Chicklet?

[Lady Hobbs]

Chicklet, just my 2 cents worth here. Whatever you do put in the tank, they should have a dark period of rest as well as any plant. A light timer at Walmarts is about $4 and I got a couple of them for my lights. But, all fish have to have a time for sleep and a dark-out.

[Chicklet]

Chicklet, just my 2 cents worth here. Whatever you do put in the tank, they should have a dark period of rest as well as any plant. A light timer at Walmarts is about $4 and I got a couple of them for my lights. But, all fish have to have a time for sleep and a dark-out.

Was hoping on a Fish to help..
I may have to consider that tho if other avenues fail,,,

It's not that bad yet ... mostly just on the filters... green colors
Was just trying to think ahead in case it started getting outta hand

[Fishalicious]

I totally agree wit Hobbs 2 cents...regardless of the algae which will lesten a lot with only 8-10 hours of light a day - the fish really really need a dark time to rest and sleep...for their health sake also

[gm72]

Chicklet, please help me understand this. You stated previously that you know the cause of the problem to be that your lights are on continuously yet you stated you won't change that. We have identified that you have far too many fish in your tank and you don't seem willing to change that either. You come here for help and we give it to you yet here we are.

We need to think beyond the algae and think about the well being of the fish. This is not a good situation for the animals. Please listen to the advice you are being given. There are a lot of very experienced fish keepers here who are trying to help.

[Chicklet]

We have identified that you have far too many fish in your tank
so 3 guppies in a 5 gallon tank is to many fish?
& A bunch of newly hatched guppy fry in a 5 gallon is to many?

your lights are on continuously yet you stated you won't change that.
Guess u missed this
Was hoping on a Fish to help..
I may have to consider that tho if other avenues fail,,,

I never said the lights was on continually none stop..
The lights run pretty continually on these tanks
They do get turned off occasionally... like my two in the kitchen,, When theres lots of light from the windows during the day,,, the lights are off.. Night times 1 stays on the other goes off, they rotate each night........

I really didn't think I had to be that picky and choosie with words here. Didn't realize how much of a big deal was gonna be made of this...

I just asked a simple question thinkin to get a few simple suggestions fish wise if there was any fish capable of helping with algae in a small tank....

Sorry if I pissed anyone off, was not my intent...

I don't like typing long boring lines, So I try to keep things short. and guess I leave lots of room for people to look for whatever...

Think I'll go back to just reading...

[gm72]

I don't know that anyone is making a big deal as much as we are trying to help you and are trying to understand.

3 guppies in a 5 gallon is certainly acceptable, but 50 fry are not for very long.

The lighting you stated "pretty continually," and we interpret that as being on pretty much all the time, which is not okay for algae purposes. Fishalicious already addressed this.

When you ask a question we will request specific information. Even small differences can change how we may guide you.

[Drip Loop]

so 3 guppies in a 5 gallon tank is to many fish?
& A bunch of newly hatched guppy fry in a 5 gallon is to many?


Guess u missed this


I never said the lights was on continually none stop..

They do get turned off occasionally... like my two in the kitchen,, When theres lots of light from the windows during the day,,, the lights are off.. Night times 1 stays on the other goes off, they rotate each night........

I really didn't think I had to be that picky and choosie with words here. Didn't realize how much of a big deal was gonna be made of this...

I just asked a simple question thinkin to get a few simple suggestions fish wise if there was any fish capable of helping with algae in a small tank....

Sorry if I pissed anyone off, was not my intent...

I don't like typing long boring lines, So I try to keep things short. and guess I leave lots of room for people to look for whatever...

Think I'll go back to just reading...

This is the part where we give up and wish her fishies well. This poster is a brick wall. Sorry but theres no polite way to describe it. Incredible advice has been given here already.

[gm72]

...and this is the part where I close the thread because it isn't going anywhere fast.