How long before algae sets in?

[legoms013]

My new thirty gallon tank is one week old out of direct sunlight of anykind. How long before a little algae sets in? I kinda wanted to get a pleco (can I get one if I don't have any algae?). I don't want one of those plecos that get like 20 inches long just one that is say 7 or less. I think they are awesome looking fish.
I also have a small ten gallon tank that is 2 months old and has not a spec of algae ( the water is hecka clear).

[MeganL3985]

I have a 5 gal. thats out of direct sunlight, its been up and running for over a month now. No algae. I have two oto cats (otocinclus) and I give them algae disc's and zucchini to eat. they both have nice pudgy bellies and enjoy eating stuff off the gravel. I'm not sure whether pleco's have the same eating habits though.

[gm72]

Smaller plecos have similar eating habits, actually as they get older they are less likely to eat algae collecting in the tank. I have said this before and will state again that a healthy tank will not have algae problems, with or without a pleco.

That being said however, is the tank cycled or is it currently cycled? Plecos are particularly sensitive to ammonia levels, so please do not cycle with a pleco. If you have not already done so, please consider a fishless cycle. It is the way to go, period.

[zqia014]

It's good that you don't have algae yet they can get annoying, growing on the leaves of plants etc...

Pleco can do fine without algae, just give them algae wafers or tablets.

[legoms013]

My tank is not cycled so it will be at the very least another week before even considering to put my other fish in their (tinfoil barbs).

Right now I'm jump starting the cycling process with 4 mosquito fish from my pond......my god these fish can handle anything....freezing water.....90 degree water.......obscene ammonia levels you name it....they are perfect for starting up your tank.

So you guys are saying its ok to get a pleco and just feed him/her algae wafers???

I think my tank is gonna end up like this: 3 tinfoil barbs, 1 pleco, and maybe a red finned black shark.

I'm gonna try and get one of those plecos that doesn't get friggan' huge, one that maxes out at around 4" or 5". Wow, now I'm up to 29" of fish, no room for a red finned black shark...darn....

[RobbieG]

What is a mosquito fish?

[salman]

Why in the world do you want algae in your tank? If you want to feed you plecos, then buy them some algae chips.

[gm72]

That's what he's asking.

Yes, you can just feed them algae pellets and other sinking foods, no problems.

[legoms013]

A mosquito fish is a common free fish you can get from your county to stock your pond with.....the mutiply very rapidly and can pretty much survive anything....even my hot stagnet pond. They keep the mosquito population in check. They are so perfect for getting you nitro-cycle going into the ammonia spike so you don't have to kill your store bought fish.

And I dont WANT algae, I just was asking how long it usually takes to set in (but that was before I knew that plecos like wafers also).

[legoms013]

Hey at my local petsmart they say their tinfoil barbs only get to be 8 inches long......I thought they could grow over a foot???? Are they lying or do they have some kinda different breed???

If they only get 8" long then I can keep 3 in my 30 gal right?

[jeffs99dime]

That's what he's asking.

Yes, you can just feed them algae pellets and other sinking foods, no problems.

also, try out veggies like lettuce, zucchini, spinach, etc.

[RobbieG]

You couldn't set a clock by it - but I usually have enough to keep mine interested (slurping the glass/decorations) a couple of weeks after the tank is cycled - GM72 is right though - they really only eat it for a relatively short time.

I also don't usually see any algae where they are eating - they just look happy sucking on whatever invisible goo is there.

[gm72]

Jeffs99 is right also, great idea to supplement plecos and snails also with some veggies from time to time.

[legoms013]

Sounds good.

[genitor]

Hey at my local petsmart they say their tinfoil barbs only get to be 8 inches long......I thought they could grow over a foot???? Are they lying or do they have some kinda different breed???

If they only get 8" long then I can keep 3 in my 30 gal right?


They grow to about 13 inches and they do so very fast. I had two go from about 1.5 inches to over 7 inches in a 15 gallon in about 6 months then i sold them to my lfs. They are shoaling fish and they like to swim a lot so i don't reccommend them for a 30 gal. I bought mine because I didn't realize how big they get.

[YaYgoldFish]

I have two tinfoil barbs, they gone from 1.5 inches to 3 inches in my 25g. I am planning on keeping them until they cant swim around as fast as they do now, i heard you could get 3 full grow tinfoil barbs in a 50 or 55g tank. Wich is whaqt im doing. But i found that these guys are better than the plecos ive had. They will eat all the food off the gravel, or jump out of the water for just the little flakes on top of the water. Sometimes ill feed them freeze dried bloodworms, but usually my barracudas eat them first( YES barracudas who i feed 3 inch goldfish too will eat those little things!) and sometimes ill throw in a half inch piece of large LIVE earthworm and they go insane for them. Basicly id say you could go for 2, but in about 10 months you might have to sell back or get a bigger tank.

[legoms013]

I wish there was a breed of tinfoils that only got say 5 inches. Then I could fit 3 in my tank and they'd probably be happy....but what do I know, thats just me speculating.

I've heard a few different theories on tinfoil barb sizes. Some stores tell me they will grow to 14" in 6 months and others say depending on the size tank they are in it will "stun" their grow and they will grow slower and not to full size.

[zqia014]

Your 30 galleon might be just a little too small for a pleco, will be ok for now though but they do grow very big, up to 2 foot.