snails vs. pleco

[RTCatz]

Which one do you think would take care of the algae problem better? I'd rather use snails since I heard plecos eat the skin mucus on fish in some cases. Are snails good at controlling algae? Thx!

 

[ewurm]

Snails are excellent cleaners. I recommend Mystery snails and Malaysian Trumpet Snails.
Maybe go with both, thats what I do. Also, get some otos.

 

[USMCtanker]

Which one do you think would take care of the algae problem better? I'd rather use snails since I heard plecos eat the skin mucus on fish in some cases. Are snails good at controlling algae? Thx!

what i have seen is, snails tend to clean more but plecos are better to llok at. i just get 2 plecos and let them go to work. snails are just to dull to me

 

[throttle]

plecos are cool looking, but they poop ALOT! snails are less work IMO

 

[USMCtanker]

plecos are cool looking, but they poop ALOT! snails are less work IMO

ya thats is very true. but i like to do water changes once a week so its ok

 

[Jason_S]

imo, it depends on the tank size. in a smaller tank a few snails could probably keep the algae under control fairly well, however in anything over say a 29 gallon it would take several snails which may become unsightly or distractive. a bristlenose plec will always be my favorite way to control algae though I've heard great things about ottos and siamese algae eaters. I've never kept either of these though so I can't say how well they compare.

 

[davo]

i'd go with the snails. even some plecos that do eat algae, usually are not amazingly affective. there are ottos and flying foxes though, and these both do a good job, but are small

 

[guppy]

Snails do a beter job.

 

[The_Gooch]

Just out of curiousity, would three mystery snails do a "decent" job in a 30 gallon? Or perhaps should I opt for a pleco?

 

[ewurm]

I have two in my 15, I would go with 4-5. Anyone know, do these do well in cold water?