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Question Regarding Algae Eaters & Planted Tanks

Discussion in 'Aquatic Plants & Planted Tanks' started by Anonymous, Jun 17, 2009.

  1. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Tried looking, so now im asking.

    A lot of the planted tank stuff say put in an algae eater, but how bad would it be if you didnt have any algae eating fish? Would the tank explode with algae and then kill all the plants and fish, or what?
     
  2. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    You can always start without one, but in my experience thus far..at some point you will NEED one!
     
  3. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    would just a snail do? Ottos are way out of my budget in this area ... but last time i had a snail it tripled in size within a week and died in three..
     
  4. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    a snail will not help.
    bristlenose pleco>Siamese Algae Eater/flying fox
     
  5. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    The thing with algae is that it is a balance issue. You have to maintain the proper balance between lighting and nutrients. If you achieve this, you will have minimal to none in the tank.

    For example, about the only algae that I get now is green spot and that is due to phosphate level. I pretty much have it wiped out in all the tanks but two.
     
  6. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    I can happily say I am finally algae free myself.
    Try seachem Phos Gaurd James...worked extremely well and fast for me!

    But again rosek, having a maint. crew definately can't hurt.
     
  7. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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  8. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Oh that's right...I almost forgot about you using the dry method.

    Mines beginning to fill in quite nicely...posting any new picts of yours soon James?
     
  9. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    hopefully things will get settled back down. I glanced at a few of last night and they are a mess...pure jungle.
     
  10. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    <--had that issue with the cambomba...now that it's gone things are going MUCH better!
     
  11. GOT MTS?

    GOT MTS? Member

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    ottos are like 2 bucks at petsmart where I live
     
  12. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    lucky you lol. the cheapest ive seen them around my city are 5$ for babies.
     
  13. yikesjason

    yikesjason New Member

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    Try Flourish Excel. It is meant as a carbon source for photosynthesis, but it also has anti-algae properties.
     
  14. overlordkain

    overlordkain New Member

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    The more plants your tank has the less nutrients there are available for algae to use. I had an 80g tank that was heavily planted and I never had to worry about any algae growth. If the plants are growing too much then you can just cut back on the length of light cycle you are running so you don't have to trim much.
     
  15. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Oto catfish will leave your plants alone and ONLY eat algae! They dont eat plant matter at all!

    Most other algae eaters will nibble on the foliage if they wanted to and your "regular" plecos could cause a lot of damage to your plants when grown up...

    Oto Catfish will help.... Like said though plants will out compete the algae if there are enough of the in the tank
     
  16. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    Wellllll...they'll eat zuccinni like it's going out of style. ;)

    Sry Lem...couldn't resist.
     
  17. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Bristlenose plecos, amano shrimp, oto's., and siamese algae eaters/flying fox work well!
     
  18. Aironia

    Aironia New Member

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    This killed all my Gertrudea rainbows. do not over use or over dose. and i would highly recommend you test it on some small or delicate fish.



    Ive heard these SAE once they get a few years old they become large and an annoyance. They will stop grazing for algea and rely on tabs etc. At times they compete with other bottom feeders for food and space. Anyone know?

    Ive wanted one but ive read this more then once...
     
  19. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    I've read that too, but mine are descent size (photos in my signature if you follow the link) and they still are grazing...but as with any species will greatfully accept an algae tab if given the chance ime.
     
  20. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    I miss my SAE. He decided one day to see what life was all about on the other side. <sniff>

    He never bothered a soul in tank. Was very peacefull