pleco and algae

[guzmandevin]

I have brown algae on my tank which is harmless but its taking over my tank making it pretty ugly and so i was wondering if Plecos also eat brown algae and not just green

[Cliff]

Most plecos will eat algae

It almost sounds like you have diatoms, which most plecos will not eat

Is your tank fairly new ?

[guzmandevin]

yes my tank is new its cycled already and i have had it with fish in it since october 31.

[dbosman]

Plecos are not algae eaters.
They rasp at algae covered surfaces seeking micro-organisms growing on the algae. Algae is part of the diet but not THE diet.
What they are is a nice fish that has to be taken care of just like all the other fish in your aquarium. Appropriate food, bogwood or driftwood to rasp at, and cover.

What you need are some fast growing stem plants to out compete the algae for nutrients.

[Ellen4God]

Or some otos!!

[Furface]

I personally have never found adding more plants an effective control for algae, My present tank is so filled with plants it's difficult to follow a fish very far. Still I get algae growth, especially on leaves near the top of the tank.
Plecos have in the past worked very well for me, keeping the algae reasonably down. But they have had one draw back, especially the large species, the ones that get 8-12 inches. The larger they get, the more they tear things up, even uproot, especially tender plants with their sudden swim bursts. Smaller plecos work better, like the bristlenose, though you need more of them. I have since gone to Siamese algae eaters, really gentle on plants.