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Hi, I read somewhere and I can't remember where, that you can buy a bottom dweller that feeds on the algae. I have it blooming a plenty on the glass and rocks.

I have plenty of room for more fish. Currently I have a 250 Litre tank with the following few fish in it. (The reason being it's only 5 weeks into it's cycle). But I believe it's close to being safe to add more fish - so long as their peaceful. I have so far:
2 x Bolivian
1 x Jarapuri
1 x Female Krib (my own baby - looking forward to being a grandfather)

That's it!! Few plants and driftwood, rocks and one Anubius.

Probably one of the best choices in this situation is a bristlenose plec. They're not everywhere yet, but they're getting more common. Common plecs will grow too large, so I'd avoid them. Rubbernose plecs have also been said to be effective, but people have claimed that it's more difficult to get these fish to feed on processed foods.

No fish can live on just algae alone, you will have to supplement the diet with other foods such as algae wafers. Also, some algae types will not be eaten by some types of fish.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

i am sure if you do get soem kind of pleco, you can supplement his/her meals with some blanched or well washed veggies (lettuce, spinach, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, etc)

also keep in mind that your fish that are in the tank are sensitive, and they could die when your cycle matures and the ammonia spike occurs... you should always try to cycle tanks with hardier fish like danios then slowly add other fish like the cichlids. and remove the danios... also i hope you are adding seeding bacteria through many products or your established tank(s) (it wounded liek you had suggested being a breeeder?)...

GOOD LUCK~~

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

I have had decent success with my Gold Algae Eater munching algae off of rocks and cleaning plants... maybe try one of those!

Unfortunatly the golden algae eater, CAE', Chinese Algae Eaters, get big, mean, nasty sucking fish.
Yes folks, its true. those hundreds of thin little fish in the shop grow to be big, discus sucking machines.

and rainbow and gourami, If they can get at it they will suck it. Thats why I trade mine in when they get to be about 4 inches and get the smaller ones.


mts.gif" border="0"> I vote do you?
My Tanks at Photobucket

I would go for a Bristlenose or some Otocinclus. Let alone the CAE, as they stop eating Algae & grow quite big. A normal Pleco is out of the question as well, as it grow huge & poo alot.

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

Garra species are, hands down THE best algae grazers you will ever see.

Many thanks for all the tips. I'll see what's available in the Melbourne stores.

Yes I am adding biological liquid to cycle effectively. I watch them closely and I have a smaller but older tank already cycled and if anyone of the fish became weak or stressed, I will bring them out to safety. I won't EVER cycle with fish again, this was a gamble but it causes me too much stress.

Thanks again.

Garra I have never heard of them. Got more info?

mts.gif" border="0"> I vote do you?
My Tanks at Photobucket

Garra family are SE Asian fish and occasionally get mistaken for loaches.
Species include Garra flavatra, Garra fuliginosa, Garra gotlya, Garra ceylonensis, Garra cambodgiensis,Garra rufa,
Garra annandali, and Garra congoensis.
I googled Garra species.

Garra are not yet the best algae eaters I've seen, but I say that since I've never seen them. They seem to be more available in some areas, but none of the LFSes in my area have presented the opportunity for me. I wonder if they're even legal for import to Australia.

Interesting tidbit, though, Garra rufa are known as doctor fish and have been used in therapy to clean dead skin off of people!

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

In my tank I have 2 whiptail cats. They are quite lazy, always staying at the bottom. However, if I throw in a piece of rock or something covered in algae from another tank, it will be cleaned completely by the next day.

No idea, but at least two Australian loricariid breeders I know own garra to keep spawning tanks spotless. Whether these were obtained through less than legal means I cannot say.