Best algae eater to clean front glass (with cichlids)

[Stratoquarius]

hmm yeah algae eater sounds good.

and aclockworkorange, its only growing on the front glass cause I have one fixture on a 3' deep tank, so in the evening I like to move the light to the front so i can look at my fish better cause they all come to the front to see me. therefore algae has been growing on the glass more frequently recently and I would just like to get something to keep it clean as my tank doesnt really have that many fish in there right now and the parametres are absolutely fine.
I do apreciate that you didnt know any of this and its good that people try to advise me, thanks

I'd like to get the flagtail definately.
Would you guys say that a algae eater is more efficient than a pleco? if so I could grab some cause I know they are cheap.
are they okay in groups or better to get just 2 or 3?

 

[ElectricBlueSeanBurch]

hmm yeah algae eater sounds good.

and aclockworkorange, its only growing on the front glass cause I have one fixture on a 3' deep tank, so in the evening I like to move the light to the front so i can look at my fish better cause they all come to the front to see me. therefore algae has been growing on the glass more frequently recently and I would just like to get something to keep it clean as my tank doesnt really have that many fish in there right now and the parametres are absolutely fine.
I do apreciate that you didnt know any of this and its good that people try to advise me, thanks

I'd like to get the flagtail definately.
Would you guys say that a algae eater is more efficient than a pleco? if so I could grab some cause I know they are cheap.
are they okay in groups or better to get just 2 or 3?

The CAE's are ok when small but as they get bigger they stop eating algae and start eating the slime coat of fish. I'd avoid them in a cichlid tank. The flagtail would be perfect. My tank is close to a window and I never have a bit of algae on the glass or anywhere else.

 

[docturtle91b]

I've had really good luck with mollies destroying algae. I have a few in with some of my fish JD, rf pickerel, etc. Yeah they occasionally get eaten but they breed in the tanks and replace themselves frequently.

 

[Stratoquarius]

thanks for the warning about the algae eaters, I've kept them before but never with cichlids. and You know what I'm liking the molly idea but I have a Champsochromis caeruleus (african trout cichlid) its like a pike and although its only 4"-5" I really think unless I buy the mollies big they would just become a tastey treat for him