Replacing Algae Eater

[Uncle Albert]

My Algae Eater (which I purchased only 4 months ago) has been MIA for a few days; Found him dead this morning when doing a water change. He was pretty effective, but I wanted to check with forum members on what may be a suitable replacement. I've searched for an image on the web without success (don't know the species name), but he was kinda like a worm (about 5 inches long) but tapered a bit. My tank is a 29 gallon with 6 black skirt tetras in it.
Any help appreciated. *SUNSMILE*

UA

 

[Fishman1995]

The best replacent you could ask for is a Nerite Snail

 

[nellykast1219]

you can get a couple of ottos they stay small and they get the job done

 

[kurtismjohnson]

I have a snail. He's so cool.
I recommend it.

 

[OrangeCones]

Unless the tank is planted and has a good supply of algae, be careful adding otos.

What are your readings of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

 

[Uncle Albert]

Reply

All normal using the API Test Kits *twirlysmi

 

[bassbonediva]

I think the best algae eater out there is the nerite snail. I have otos, a BN pleco, a clown pleco and a nerite snail and my nerite DEFINITELY eats the most algae out of all of them.

 

[Newman]

best algae eater i have seen is the emerald mythrax crab but you would have to add a lot of salt to your tank to support one of those xD
try the nerite as a replacement. but beware if you get a female youll eventually get a lot of calcareous eggs on top of tank surfaces. pitbull plecos are good replacements but its tough to find a true one. true pitbull plecos grow to similar size of otocinclus catfish.

 

[riseabovethesun]

If you get a nerite snail, make sure your water isn't too soft, it can decay their shell. Also they need plenty of algae, I've had to put a few algae wafers in before for mine, they are kind of like otos, they need that supply.

But I agree they are super effective.

Also +1 to newman, we both share the galaxy glass = nerite snail eggs everywhere like stars in the sky on the tank/plants, lol. Totally easy to scrap off though.

 

[OrangeCones]

All normal using the API Test Kits *twirlysmi

Odd...my API Test Kit doesn't have a 'normal' reading LOL

 

[Uncle Albert]

Reply

Normal = Colors Neutral

 

[Newman]

you mean yellow for ammonia, light blue for nitrite and yellow for nitrate?

 

[littletankbigworld]

Can you post specific readings? Most time what beginners think is a good reading is actually is a really bad reading because they never cycled their tank.

 

[lstorns]

I like those otto cats a lot. I got two and they eat algae in the places the big farlowella cat cant quite get. they also eat the lft over scraps of food when there are some. I also have japanese black trap door snails. 1 big momma and three of her babies. also none stop grazers . they don't get rid of it completely , but I think a bit of green on the tnk wlls (just not the front ) is healthy for my little ecosystem. but it is kept under control by these guys

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

My Chocolate Pleco's did a good job, they get about 8 inches though.