FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have brown algae in my 75G tank. Would like to get a good algae-eater that's compatible with my 4 CL and Angelfish.

I know that otocinclus is good brown algae-eating fish. But they seems to be difficult to acclimate. Not sure if it's a good idea for my relatively new tank. And how many do I need for a 75G?

I also heard about SAE, but I've never seen any in my LFS.

Any suggestions please?

Thanks -RM

Hi there,
there are quite a few algae eaters you can get.
The best of all is the SAE, just ask your LFS
to order them, species name is Crosscheilus Siamensis.

The second best algae eater out there is the Farlowella
catfish or Twig Catfish. This is a long slim fish that grows to about 6-8 inches long and is as thin as pencil.
They eat most types of algae, with the exception of beard/bush algae. This might be the fish that is the best choice for you. They are hardy, tough and long lived, with caution only being needed to avoid netting the fish as it can break its back netting it (instead this fish should be grasped with the hand below the tail, and lifted gently so as to remove it without pulling it roughly off the glass), and nitrAtes should be kept down below 30ppm for best health.

Another good algae eater is a pleco - bristlenose being one of the best algae eaters in the group, but many others also do a great job. http://www.planetcatfish.com has tons of plecos on there and will state whether or not they are herbivorous or omnivorous or carnivorous.

Come Play Yahtzee With Me!
http://games.atari.com
Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames

I love my farlowella and a 75g would be a good size for one. They actually clean the glass more frequently than any other algae eater I've had. They acclimate quite well too. Only thing is with their long body they need space to swim and turn around so dislike small or extremely heavily decorated/planted tanks and they will wiggle through short dense plant growth uprooting some types of substrate cover. Mine killed off my chain swords because he kept forcing himself through the mass and their roots weren't long enough yet to stay down.

My Betta tank had a good dose of algae and the 6 Ottos never made an impression on it at all. I caught my smallest SAE from the 5ft tank and within one week most of it was gone including a thick green carpet on a small rock 6x2ins, also the DW was covered in a thick browinish mess it is nearly all gone. He also cleans up any uneaten food as well he is a perfect companion to the Betta and the Cardinals as soon as he starts to get bigger back into the 5ft tank and I will buy another small SAE.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

That's not the way to go..

When you have algae in your tank, it means that there's a unbalance in the water measurements.. So fix that, instead of just buying a fish to fix the problem. And besides, algae eaters don't eat all algaes.. There are some algaes they don't even touch..

**Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life**

Hi,
"Brown Algae" is not actually an algae, it is an outbreak
of diatoms. Diatoms thrive in a newly set up aquarium
living off the silica powder from the new gravel, in weak
lighting, and/or in areas without much, if any current.

Increase your lighting strength, do partial water changes,
and keep the tank clean, the "Brown Algae" will disappear.
If you want a fish to control the diatoms, Ottos are about
the best for that.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

My algae problem is now fixed but I still had to remove all the old algae.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW