algae overgrowth

[Jwoody]

hi,
i am looking for a type of fish, or snail that will eat algae out of a tank that has a red tail shark and six tiger barbs in it, i had a pleco before but i cant seem to keep them alive, (i just wake up one morning and its fins looked shredded) i have tried multiple times, i cant figure out what i am doing wrong with them, and the same thing happens whenever i get a mystery snail as well, there is algae in the tank so i don't think that they are starving, but anyways, any help with this issue would be great! the tiger barbs are still very small as well as the red tail shark

 

[littletankbigworld]

Mystery snails are lazy with algae removal, in my opinion.
How large is your tank? Is it cycled?

 

[Ropes]

I would get the water tested.. also how long is your light on? Because if its on any longer than 8 hours i would cut down on the light and that should take down some of your algae.. if your water tests out fine then i have a good idea your fish are prob picking on it and you could try to put snails in there but they usually dont do as good of a job as plecos!

 

[littletankbigworld]

It also depends on the type of algae. What does the algae look like? Green, brown, black or redish? Is it hairy or spotty? Fish/snails will only eat certain types of algae so it's important to feed your fish/snails algae wafers or sinking spirulina pellets. Did you feed your snails anything besides the algae in the tank? If you didn't, it's highly likely that they starved.

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

I think the long term question should be why you are getting algae. Ultimately that should be figured out and corrected.

 

[Jwoody]

littletankbigworld the algae is kind of a greenish brownish color, my tank is only a twenty gallon high. Ropes i think your right cause sometimes my light can stay on for up to 12 hours a day, so im gonna cut back on that, is there like a place where i can take a sample of my water, cause buyin a test kit is kind of out of the question with tuition and college text books if ya know what i mean

 

[lauraf]

Jwoody, your lfs should test your water for you free of charge. But be insistent, and ask them to write down the actual numbers for each test, instead of just telling you, 'oh, everything's okay', or, 'nope, you need to add this (whatever chemical they push)'. Most important tests are ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
And save your money so that you can buy your own liquid test kits - not as fun, understood, as buying a new fish or plant or decoration or beer, but will be the most helpful investment you make in the fishkeeping hobby so you're not struggling with ongoing, unexplained tank problems!