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Hi I have a 12 gallon tank with sand substrate, a few plants and some rocks. I would like to put a bottom feeder in to help clean off algae and left over food but I dont know what to put in. I originaly thought an otto would be good but I dont know if I will have enough room to house a school of them. Any suggestions or ideas would be great.

"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons

Most bottom feeders won't clear up algae and leftover food, so you'll have to choose which thing you want eaten more. Or, for your leftover food problem, just stop feeding so much that the fish can't eat it all. Cut back on the amount of food you dump in and there will be none left over to pollute the tank; this also means that any algae in the tank will not have as many nutrient sources to draw upon. You'll kill one bird and wound another with just one stone.

EDIT: And by the way, what all critters do you have in the tank? We'll need to know your stock before recommending fish, if it is needed.

Last edited by sirbooks at 15-Aug-2005 20:47

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

As Sirbooks said, you can try to tackle both problems with less feedings. Corydoras are good bottom feeders but don't eat Algae & a BN is a very good Algae Eater, but it's impossible to have them in a 12 gal. tank.

Just tell us what's in your tank & we'll give you some reply's.


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Its not yet stocked because I am cycling but my plan was to have a centerpiece bolivian ram with 1 or 2 bottom feeders and some tetra's.

"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons

Common ancistrus will eat pretty much anything.

Would it fit in a 12 gallon??


"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons

Not long term they won't. All the Ancistrus I can think of hit at least four inches in length, and they all produce lots of waste.

Last edited by sirbooks at 16-Aug-2005 13:40

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Nick is largely correct in that most common ancistrus species grow too large for a 12 g. However, many fancy ancistrus (claro, doplichopterus, starry night, Ls 144, 107, 182) grow to about 3.5~4", some less, and can easily be paired off in a 12 gallon.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 16-Aug-2005 15:32

I also think that they produce more waste than clean.


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Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
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I noticed that 1 of them LS 182 needs at least 40 gallons (or so this site says) is that wrong? Also I still am unsure why 2 otto's wouldnt work. Plz help because I am kinda confused.

"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons

Yes, it is. Most of the L-107 group ancistrus, this included, stay small. Even the wild caught males that we got in (is it just me, or are rio negro imports becoming rarer?) were 4.5", max.

ottos need to be in groups to be happy everyone should love ottos



Last edited by riri1 at 18-Aug-2005 00:31

corydoras is ur best obtion as they dont tend to need a huge tank as the other. 12g is enought for them get a group of 4-5 of anykind u like they r peaceful little catfish which dont bother other fish at all.