FishProfiles.com Message Forums

What can I get to eat algae in my 10 gallon tank? I had my heart set on an American Flag Fish, but my LFS is having a hard time ordering one of these for me. So I thought about snails, but everything I read says they reproduce like crazy. I know that common plecos are too big for my tank. Any recommendations?

What kind of algae? And what other fish do you have in there already? And what kind of set-up is it, e.g. planted, unplanted etc...?

It's hard to get a great set of algae eaters for 10 gallon tank. Your best bet may be to just remove it by hand.

---

Back in the saddle!

kowar100,

In addition to NowherMan6s’ questions, here are 2 more:

- how long is it set up?
- when did the algae first appear, where does it sit (gravel ect. ), how does it look like, how much of it?

I hope you understand why we ask all these questions,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I do not have any fish currently, but will be getting some soon (probably a school of small Tetras).
The tank has been set up for about 3 months (had fish until just a few weeks ago...decided to start over, for various reasons).
Algae is on the glass and is green and fuzzy. There is also algae on the one live plant that I have in the tank. It is fuzzy as well.
However, the plant seems to be dying, so I'll probably get rid of it before putting the new fishies in.
Hope this helps.

kowar100,

Given that you don’t have any fish I the tank I would say that you should cover the tank and keep it dark for about 5 days. This will take care of the current algae.

The question though is why did you get the algae? Did your previous fish die in the tank? Did you overfeed? Why is the plant dying (what plant is it)? How much light is on the tank? Does the tank get any natural light (like from a window etc.)? Did you do anything to the water in total abstinence of fish, for example added fish food to create ammonia so that the tank stays cycled?

I bet you that somewhere in these questions lies the answer of why you got this algae.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Could be the dying plant is feeding the algae. I would remove the plant unless you can figure out why it's dying and get it to grow. Do a water change and turn the lights out for awhile.

Once the water perameters are in good shape , try a few amano shrimp, id be hesitant to go for ottos in a small tank, because they are a sensitive species, even though their size seems ideal.

Last edited by longhairedgit at 20-Oct-2005 21:36

I would try to prevent the Algae first but if you cannot, try to remove it by hand.


http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buzaqq/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com