I need an algae cleaner for a 10 gallon aquarium

Silent Doh · Post by **Silent Doh** » 05 Dec 2005, 22:30

I currently am looking at having another aquarium in my room. I already have a 10 gallon aquarium which is (call it overstocked in the future), but wish to purchase more fish. I need to know what would be a good solution for a 10 gallon freshwater tropical tank. I cannot get anything larger than a 10 gallon aquarium. (Space & weight issues, I won't say any more) I need an algae eater for many reasons. There is much algae in my original tank and that is only in partial sunlight, in addition, This tank will be in direct sunlight.

Post by **Silurus** » 05 Dec 2005, 22:38

A small group of Otocinclus would do nicely.

B-2 · Post by **B-2** » 05 Dec 2005, 23:36

Would bristle nose plecos work? Or maybe some type of small pecolita. If you do get a bristle nose, you may be able to sell it or get it a bigger tank. I will happily keep it for you if it gets too large.

Silent Doh · Post by **Silent Doh** » 06 Dec 2005, 21:08

In my already established aquarium I had a small group of Dwarf Sucker Catfish (Otocinclus), one died the next day after purchasing, and the other died shortly after (2-3 weeks). I had plenty of algae in the aquarium, and might have been leaving the lights on for about 15 hours each day. I'm trying to limit this amount of light usage as I do not currently have a tank cleaner. What about a rubber nose pleco? I've heard about them, and I might be able to have one in my new aquarium.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 09 Dec 2005, 13:31

Rubber nose pleco = Chaetostoma sp. They require cool water with lots of dissolved oxygen, i.e. water movement. They are good algae eaters, but a bit sensitive. I would raterh think that a common bristlenose is better... They are much hardier too...

--
Mats

Silent Doh · Post by **Silent Doh** » 09 Dec 2005, 23:37

they might get a bit big for a 10 gallon. But I just might be able to get my hands on a 20 gallon.

Then my life would be complete. Hmmmm... The reason I wanted a 10 gallon is because I'm going to get a stand that can hold 2 aquariums. As I am going to get another hamster too, I thought I could put my hamster in 1 section, and my aquarium in the other. But if I can get a bigger tank, my whole hamster-fish plan is down the tubes. Unless I want to spend $20 on another hamster tank and $15-$30 on a top. What to do, what to do...

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 10 Dec 2005, 10:31

Otocinclus are perfect for this tank. Even bristlenose will eventually get too big. I would avoid the rubbernoses, as mats says, they need quite specific conditions to thrive.

Otocinclus can also very delicate when you first buy them, and losses are common. However, once settled down i think they are quite hardy and lovely fish to keep.

The biggest problem is feeding, they are quite fussy about the algae they eat. They will only eat the SOFT green and brown algae. They won't touch the hard green algae, hair algae or cyanobacteria. I think they often die of malnutrition when they are first put in a tank "full of algae". This could be why yours died.

I feed mine spring greens which i microwave for about a minute, and then freeze. I just pull a leaf out of the freezer and attach it to the glass with a veggie clip. The ottos will only eat it once it's been in the tank for at least 24-48 hours. By this time it's gone soft enough for them to eat.

Do a forum and site search for Otocinclus, make sure you can provide the best care for them you can, and have another go. They are well worth it.

Silent Doh · Post by **Silent Doh** » 10 Dec 2005, 18:38

I'll take your advice and give the Otocinclus's another try. After all, I know that I can find them at pet stores. I do have one question though, what kind of vegtables do you mean? lettuce? Spinach leaves? Will doing this screw with the water clarity? Also, the algae I'm having problems with appears in concentrated green spots. Is this the hard green algae you described? If so, I would need another option. (20 gallon is still a definite maybe)

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 10 Dec 2005, 23:28

Spring greens are called collard greens in the US.

Here's a pic.......

Spinach leaves would also be perfect food.

The algae you descibe is indeed "hard" green algae. Not much good as otto food i'm afraid.

You should always provide some food in the tank for them to browse on, but do siphon up any loose bits that fall off and mess the tank.

You many need to step up your filtration if you have any water quality problems, but you should be OK with a weekly siphon and water change.

WhitePine · Post by **WhitePine** » 11 Dec 2005, 06:11

You might also want to get an algea cleaning scrubber or Mag-Float Aquarium Glass Cleaner. These work great and my friends ussually do it for me. I use it before my water changes and it works great on green spot algea.

Cheers, Whitepine

WhitePine · Post by **WhitePine** » 11 Dec 2005, 06:14

I also agree on the ottos... just go to a pet store that has a decent "live" guarentee. My lfs has a 15 day guarentee on fresh water animals.

Cheers, Whitepine

Silent Doh · Post by **Silent Doh** » 27 Dec 2005, 02:00

I got a 20 gallon aquarium for Christmas. This obvoisly sould change the title to include a 20 gallon. I think that with this room, I shall probably instead have a rubber lip pleco with a few Rosy Red minnows and perhaps some White Clouds. I'm aiming for a river tank. Please note I do not have powerheads, nor have plans for them.[/u]

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 27 Dec 2005, 16:46

Please note I do not have powerheads, nor have plans for them.

I would seriously reconsider this, as it won't be much of a river tank without current!

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 27 Dec 2005, 18:19

I've just read your other post on this subject (http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... hp?t=13991), and if your reluctance about powerheads is due to seeing the complicated set-ups some members of this site have created (http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... sc&start=0), then don't worry. These guys have gone to lots of effort to make their tanks look and behave as naturally as possible (and I suspect, also because they enjoyed the challenge of building it!).

You don't need to go to this much effort to keep the rubber-noses happy. All you need to do is buy a medium powerhead, attach a sponge to the intake (to prevent fish from being sucked into it), and place it just under the surface. Make sure the venturi is on, and the current will flow along the surface collecting oxygen, hit the side glass, and flow along the bottom. In a small tank like a 20, there will be plenty enough current and oxygen for the rubbernoses, provided you keep the tank cool.

PlecoCrazy · Post by **PlecoCrazy** » 27 Dec 2005, 23:32

On a side note, plecos are not good at cycling tanks so don't go off and plop a pleco in your new tank right away. I would cycle it for two months with half a dozen or more of the white clouds you where looking at and when your tank is done cycling then add the pleco and some of the other fish you want. Plus there is not much algae for the first month or two anyways.

As far as you placing the tank in direct sunlight, that is a bad idea as it can cause a tank to heat up a lot and could cook your fish. Not to mention you will probably have more algae than the rubber pleco can keep up with.

I need an algae cleaner for a 10 gallon aquarium

I need an algae cleaner for a 10 gallon aquarium

small plecos

have had bad luck with otos

I'll Try

Sorry, I messed up