Help with nitrates and snails

[Nabbig2]

Hey fellow MFk members how are you. I have a 29g with a large happy common goldfish, and am running an emperor 400

First: My most recent nitrate test gave me about 10 mg/L. The water is very clear and my fish is healthy, but I have algae woes. I do 15% water changes every 2 to 3 weeks, perhaps I should do it more regularly. I am trying to lower nitrates as well as get rid of the unsightly algae.

I believe I do not overfeed. I only give my goldfish one green pea every two days, and she consumes all of it, none of it decays in the tank. So this nitrate is a bit surprising.

Second: I came across a store that sells Zebra snails as well as Tiger snails. Which is better for eating algae?
Now, I DO understand nitrates are contributing to my algae problem, but it's the sunlight too, and I'd also just like to have one or two of these pretty snails.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Lupin]

Why not cover the tank for a few days or consider using some plants (while shielding them from the voracity of your goldfish) to eliminate algae?
What kind of algae is your problem? Green floating algae?

Algae benefits a lot from the presence of too much light and nutrients but the presence of several plants can also pose a threat and outcompete them eventually killing them (algae) in the process. Hornworts, duckweeds and Egeria densa are very useful in this case. Darkening the tank also deprives the algae their much needed light to develop properly.

Green floating algae is not really an issue with your goldfish. Your goldfish will benefit a lot from the presence of green algae as they eat algae avidly thus are able to color up better and grow more quickly in the process than those who never were provided algae as part of their diet.

If you do change mind and keep the algae instead, continue reading here. You do have to put it under control if you want the algae to stay. Consider doing a large water change but not all of it so the remaining algae can still seed the tank.

During the dark, like plants, algae also undergo respiration period. This is the time your fish will likely be in danger as the algae would compete for oxygen supply as they undergo respiration period. To cancel this out, make sure your water is well aerated so both the fish and algae will have evenly distributed oxygen in order to survive.

 

[Nabbig2]

I don't think its floating algae, it's just green algae that grows on surfaces, like the glass of the tank. Going with plants is a good idea, thanks; I've never kept live aquatic plants. But more importantly I don't know how I'd shield them from my goldfish.

Either way, lets say I get a snail anyway-I've been looking to add a little more excitement to my tank and another gold fish is out of the question. Zebra or tiger snail? Thanks Lupin. And whoever else can help

 

[Lupin]

Easy. You can always float a basket and place the plants there and they can still do the job or grow some plants around the tank (not submerged) and let them absorb the nutrients through their roots. Actually, if you dump a thick set of plants, I doubt your goldfish can eat everything quickly.

You can try nerite snails. Avoid the horned ones. Their spines will injure your fish.

 

[Nabbig2]

Okay I'll either try the plant method you described or get a snail. Thanks Lupin.

 

[Laticauda]

I've found that my goldfish do not eat crypts or sword plants (unless they are very hungry,they will start to go after the swords.) Anubias are also another great plant to have with goldfish.

I wouldn't get a snail, unless it's a mystery snail. I'm not sure what a "tiger snail" is, but I'm sure the "zebra snail" is a spixi, and they multiply asexually, so I would recommend NOT getting one of those.

However, I also think a snail is a bad idea, because that will only compound your nitrAte problem. Clean the gunk out of your filters, and out of your gravel (I keep all of my goldfish on bare-bottom to avoid this problem) to help remove the nitrAtes. 50-75% water changes every day until they get to a manageable level would be best. Goldfish are especially sensitive to nitrAtes, and are especially big waste-producers.