I have a 240 long with three 6 inch motoros and a 5 inch tigrinus. I am using an old dual 6ft VHO lighting system that keeps the tank pretty brightly lit. The only problem is that I get a dusting of brown algae on everything. I have the tank decorated with three little piles of large river stones with fake plants poking out from them. It looked great when you could actually see the details of the rocks. Now it looks like big hunks of chocolate in a sea of tan sand. The back glass also gets a covering of algae that I really can't get to. Any ideas? I know that plecos are a possible problem, so they are out. Otos will just be food, chinese algae eaters too, how about apple snails or mystery snails. Will they just be expensive stingray food?
Algae Eater for Stingray Tank
- Thread starter coyotethug
- Start date
dont keep the lights on as much use moon lights to keep it dim if you still want to see your rays and no to the eater cause they will only become food very soon
Against all rules but i got 2 common plecs . I add nothing for months and cleaning the
back of my 4 foot wide tank was a nightmare in the end i took the risk i got giving 2 plecs
now i have no algae . I check the rays daily and first signs plecs are sucking the ray OUT !!!
back of my 4 foot wide tank was a nightmare in the end i took the risk i got giving 2 plecs
now i have no algae . I check the rays daily and first signs plecs are sucking the ray OUT !!!
I'm having the same problem, but it has gotten better.
I posted this same question to Wetwebmedia, there recommendation was to get live Amazon Frogbit or Indian Fern plants into my tank. Their nitrate absorption rate is extremely high in comparison to other plants.
I was able to find the Frogbit from a member.
I like the moon lights idea from RedTailKinG
Your nitrate levels may read low, but that could be because the brown algae is absorbing it. You could try doubling up on the frequency of your water changes until you get things under control.
I posted this same question to Wetwebmedia, there recommendation was to get live Amazon Frogbit or Indian Fern plants into my tank. Their nitrate absorption rate is extremely high in comparison to other plants.
I was able to find the Frogbit from a member.
I like the moon lights idea from RedTailKinG
Your nitrate levels may read low, but that could be because the brown algae is absorbing it. You could try doubling up on the frequency of your water changes until you get things under control.
I have this problem too. The apple snails are no longer readily available. I tried a fewe mystery snails but they just didn't do the job. Bristlenose actually work best and might work out for you since your rays are still pretty small. Add lots of hiding spaces for them. The rays will likely eat them when they get bigger, or they may just continue to ignore them if you keep them well fed and may not get the temptation to identify them as food.
For now, I just scrub away.
Good Luck.
For now, I just scrub away.
Good Luck.
You could try a large L095 Pseudorinelepis Genibarbis.
A few stingraykeepers i know got some good results
whit this fish,and it doesn't touch the ray.
You only need to give it some hiding spaces.
A few stingraykeepers i know got some good results
whit this fish,and it doesn't touch the ray.
You only need to give it some hiding spaces.
I do 70% water change weekly, nitrate is less than 5 at every test. This is actually close to the reading out the tap anyway. I was thinking about bristle nose because they are so secretive, or maybe snails.
ive allways had a common plec with my rays i only ever removed one and that was just a precation as it was actually another ray who was making marks on the disc of a female. still better safe than sorry. i noticed a MASSIVE difference though with the absence of the plec and soon went to get another larger one.
personally i wouldnt go for the birstlenose because they stay relativly small and more likley to end up as food. the common plec i have just sits in a corner all day but comes out when everyone is asleep . causes no trouble at all.
personally i wouldnt go for the birstlenose because they stay relativly small and more likley to end up as food. the common plec i have just sits in a corner all day but comes out when everyone is asleep . causes no trouble at all.
What about royals, rhinos, something like that? Any good ones that are essentially only herbivorous in nature.
some Ancistrus can grow quite fast up to about 8 inches but I have a pair in a 5X2X2 tank that have stayed at around 2inches for 3 years, I think it depends on sub species and amount of available food plus nitrate levels (and stocking)
Anyway, my bristlenoses have looked after themselves with a lot of Africans and they know when to swim and hide.
Question, if a Ray tries to swallow the catfish I assume it is in danger of choking on it?
Anyway, my bristlenoses have looked after themselves with a lot of Africans and they know when to swim and hide.
Question, if a Ray tries to swallow the catfish I assume it is in danger of choking on it?