Algae eater w/ mean cichlids...

[LogiBear]

I need an algae eater pleco that can survive in a 75 with a larger Central American (not sure its exact parentage but it isnt horribly aggressive) and a pair of Cons.

Looking for the right size fish to do the job in a 75. Supplemental feedings and hidings spots are provided. BNs are too small i think and common/sailfins are too big. I need the algae eating part as the algae i have clouds the water really bad if i brush it off. I know Plecos make a mess but k should be able to deal.

Preferably a cheaper variety, considering it may not last long. Not absolutely required though.

Ive been looking at Clown Plecs, does that seem like a possibilty?

 

[rdKirby]

I had a clown pleco once....lol
Luckily the spines weren't ingested.
Clown plecos also eat wood, they don't really take care of algae.

 

[FreshyFresh]

I wouldn't recommend adding to the bio load to deal with an algae problem. Reduce the lighting, feeding and increase gravel vacs and water changes.

 

[YankeeJack]

Bristlenose places do the best job. See if you can get some larger ones (like 4")....and provide a lot of cover (like slate that is situated close to the bottom, so that they can get under without the cichlids being able to get to them. They'll come out at night and clean up the algae.

Agree with the statement above about watching bio load, water changes and checking your lighting.

 

[THQ]

BNs are too small
Ive been looking at Clown Plecs, does that seem like a possibilty?

Clown plecs are smaller than many BNs.

Bristlenose places do the best job

Yes, in fact you can get 6" BNs. My LFS have fully grown 6" peppermint BNs which I would love to have but am afraid my fully grown oscar will try to eat them.

I wouldn't recommend adding to the bio load to deal with an algae problem. Reduce the lighting, feeding and increase gravel vacs and water changes.

Yes, I agree. Why do you have so much light? Is it a planted tank? If not, there is no reason to have enough light to cause much of an algae problem.

 

[LogiBear]

Clown plecs are smaller than many BNs.



Yes, in fact you can get 6" BNs. My LFS have fully grown 6" peppermint BNs which I would love to have but am afraid my fully grown oscar will try to eat them.



Yes, I agree. Why do you have so much light? Is it a planted tank? If not, there is no reason to have enough light to cause much of an algae problem.

I dont have much light at all actually. My tank grows algae against the back wall very quickly but not the front. And apparently its 2 different kinds because whatever grows on the front and sides is normal and the stuff on the back just breaks off in chunks that cloud of the water. Idk if plecos would even eat them but i would like to try.

But i only have 1 light bulb, and it is usually on for 8 hours. Maybe 12 if i stay up late and watch the fish but thats not often.

 

[LogiBear]

Im ok with bioload, i can do WC pretty easily. The algae is more of a pain then a big WC, so i would rather take a bit bigger of a bioload and do a bigger waterchange each week

 

[THQ]

I dont have much light at all actually
But i only have 1 light bulb, and it is usually on for 8 hours. Maybe 12 if i stay up late and watch the fish but thats not often.

Why do you have the light on for so long if you don't have plants?? Fish themselves don't need any artificial light. No wonder you have algae problems.
I usually only have mine on for 3 hours max a day, and that's after work when I get home and feed them, then watch them before I go to bed. I never have algae problems even though I have messy poop machines of fish.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Yep, you definitely don't want the lights on anywhere near 8hrs/day unless you need them on for plants. If it's a fluorescent light, old lamps can make algae issues worse. Their PAR/PUR rating drops drastically as the lamps age and the color/temp shifts to algae loving range.

 

[LogiBear]

Why do you have the light on for so long if you don't have plants?? Fish themselves don't need any artificial light. No wonder you have algae problems.
I usually only have mine on for 3 hours max a day, and that's after work when I get home and feed them, then watch them before I go to bed. I never have algae problems even though I have messy poop machines of fish.

Yep, you definitely don't want the lights on anywhere near 8hrs/day unless you need them on for plants. If it's a fluorescent light, old lamps can make algae issues worse. Their PAR/PUR rating drops drastically as the lamps age and the color/temp shifts to algae loving range.

Oh. I thought 8 hours was not a lot. I thought up to 8 hours was usually ok...

I woukd still like amPleco tho. Im assuming BN is the best option for me...