Brown Algae Eaters

[KeepingTheBeat]

I just noticed that I have brown algae in my 29 gal. I don't know why its showed up in this tank, but I want to get rid of it asap. I have too many plants (artificial & live) and decorations to clean them myself. I could, but I would basically have to tear down the tank which I don't want to do at this point. I have read that ottos and plecos will eat brown algae, but this is where my real problem begins. I do not want a pleco, and no lfs in my area has ottos. They say they cannot even special order them. Otocinclus affinis does not appear on any of their lists. Is there anything else that eats brown algae? The lfs in my town has what they call sucker catfish which are CAEs I do believe. I have read about those too, and they are not my first choice but if they eat brown algae they will do. Does anybody have any suggestions?

 

[fishface]

sorry mate i have 2 ottos but like you said there hard to find how about an algea scaper? like a sponge on a stick and you just wipe the algea of the sides of your tank or if not some chemical algea killer?

 

[KeepingTheBeat]

I will break the tank down before I will add chemicals. And the brown algae is not on the glass, it is all over the leaves of my plants and my filter tubes. I can't tell if it is on my rocks or not because they are a greenish/brownish color but my guess is probably yes. Thanks anyways.

 

[ducksarefun]

Hmmm, I'd say there are nutrients being used up by the algae (allowing them to grow), either before the plants get to it (ie slow growing plants) or because there is excess. Or it could be a low light problem. Adjusting these may help get rid of algae, or at least slow it down. Algae eating shrimp might eat brown algae, I'm not sure...

 

[fishysmell]

Go to a different town and to their lfs. Everyone has ottos. I've only seen like 2 lfs in quite a few states that doesn't have em. Either that or order em online. I'd have a hard time living w/o my army of em. Get them! Brown algae is gone w/in like 3 days with em...forever!

If you have to, get snails, I'll bet they eat the stuff but there is no substitute for ottos.

 

[Lou]

I'm ordering some online--zebra otos...that the same as you are talking about???

Anyway online they are available, but I haven't got them yet so don't know how well they travel, etc

Lou

 

[KeepingTheBeat]

I have heard that ottos don't travel well, plus the online store I looked at charged $24.95 for shipping whether you bought 1 fish or 20. I have called every fish store/pet store/even WalMart within an hour driving and they all act like they have never heard of them.

If anything is causing it, I would say it is my lighting. I am using the flourescent fixtures that came with the hood. I guess I'll have to upgrade. My plants have low-moderate light requirements and so far they are doing well. Funny thing is, the brown algae isn't on the live plants, gravel, or glass that I can tell. Just on the artificial plants and filter. Could this be something other than brown algae? I've never dealt with this before so I just assumed...

What kind of snails would eat brown algae? I know that I can get mystery and ramshorn snails locally, but the only shrimp I ever see are ghost shrimp.

So what is the opinion on the CAE?

 

[ducksarefun]

I don't think snails would eat brown algae. Mine barely eat green algae. I'm not sure if CAEs eat brown algae either... but if they do, you have to be careful because as they get older they stop eating algae, and start eating the slime coats off other fish in the tank.

 

[fishysmell]

I second ducks, CAE = bad idea.

If your only willing to drive an hour for fish I don't know if I can help you. My LFS is 45 min away at least if there isn't traffic. 2 and a half hours if there is.

If an online store only charges 25 bucks in shipping I want to know which one it is. Thats the best price I've ever heard of. The solution to that is to buy a ton of fish in one shot. Make the most of your money.

If its only on plastic stuff, just take it out and bleach it. Rinse it well afterwords and your problem is over. Also keep doing a couple of 30-40% water changes every week. How many watts per gallon do you have? What kinds of plants do you have?

 

[HZSK]

No, actually, CAEs only eat the slime coats of other fish when you starve them. As they get older they need to be fed cucumbers instead of algae/algae wafers.

Anyway, I believe I read on one or two CAE profiles that they only eat green algae, no brown. I agree with the whole soaking thing. I've never had a problem with algae myself(or maybe i have...hmm) but I think that's your best bet.

 

[KeepingTheBeat]

I can't remember the wattage, but it is the standard flourescent lights that came with the kit (I got it from WalMart). I have 2 anubias, 2 bunches anacharis, 2 banana plants, and 1 unknown plant, all of which I was assured would grow with just standard lighting. They look well. They don't grow like the plants in my 10 gal (but I did that one with flourite & special bulbs), but they are not dying either. I guess I'm going to have to take the plants out and wash them but I don't want to because I love the way my tank looks. I'll probably never get them back in there the same way.

The online store that charges $24.99 is http://www.aquariumfish.net/pages/warranty.htm#top2

I have never ordered fish online and I really don't want to start now. I don't have enough room to order a bunch of fish right now, I just need some ottos.

 

[revengeishere]

Why dont you try SAE? Mine is happy scraping off everything, tho, i still need to clean it off. Also, my Red tailed black shark is my best brown algae eater! He doesnt eat anything other than that, but he is the plumpest resident of my tank!