Pleco, brown algea, RBP

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Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Feb 18, 2010
13
0
31
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Hello,

Since moving into my new place my aquarium has been infested by brown algea. I'm pretty sure that exterior light is to blame but, there is nowhere else i can put my tank.

A few years ago i had the same problem and bought 1 rubber lip pleco and my problem was solved. But at that time i did not have RBPs.

My Ps are still young (3-4 inches). Do you think i could add a smaller pleco to my community (liek a rubber lip pleco)? Or will he become food as soon as i turn off the lights?

I would add a regulor pleco but those are ugly, messy and get HUGE!

Any advice?

S.
 
I have one. But the algea is allover the place. On rocks, plants, etc..
S.
 
Ok, but you know your taking a chance with the Pleco, it may work for a while.......jmo
 
Adding another fish to clean up a problem that obviously stems from maintenance issues or light times is a terrible idea. Plecos should only be bought if you genuinely like them as a fish, yes they eat algae but they need other foods as well this in turn increases nitrate in the tank and this causes algae to grow anyway........

normaly algae is beneficial to a system becuase it locks away nitrate and phosphate(inside itself) but if the pleco is constantly eating these and then pooping them out it keeps these chemicals in the water column.



IMO look into the nitrate levels or phosphate levels and the time you leave the lights on for these all contribute to algae problems
 
Zander_The_RBP;4024258; said:
Adding another fish to clean up a problem that obviously stems from maintenance issues or light times is a terrible idea. Plecos should only be bought if you genuinely like them as a fish, yes they eat algae but they need other foods as well this in turn increases nitrate in the tank and this causes algae to grow anyway........

normaly algae is beneficial to a system becuase it locks away nitrate and phosphate(inside itself) but if the pleco is constantly eating these and then pooping them out it keeps these chemicals in the water column.



IMO look into the nitrate levels or phosphate levels and the time you leave the lights on for these all contribute to algae problems
Click to expand...

well said
 
Howdy,

As said above: What are your nitrate levels?

Besides, how old is your lighting? Brown algae is often (not always) a sign of deteriorating light spectrum. If it was about exterior light hitting the tank, you'd have green algae.

HarleyK
 
always a risk putting new fish in with P's just gotta keep them well fed.my RBP have only killed one pleco in the 2 years having them. my 3'' royal has survived with my eigenmanni piranha for about 3 months now just nips out of the fins
 
+1 For whats been said above, If you are planning on getting one, make sure it is larger than the piranhas so they wont be as tempted to eat it. My pleco is about 8-9 inches and my piranhas are about 6-7 inches. They have only taken one tiny nip out of his fin and he swims around with em all the time and they never bother him. Keep your piranhas well fed too, to avoid any problems.
 
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