SAE Question

[Fish Monger]

I'm curious.  Would 1 True SAE coupled with 8 ottos be sufficient algae control in a 75 Gallon heavily planted tank (3 watts of light per gallon plus added nutrients for extra growth), or should I go with two SAE's and the ottos?

I've never had a planted tank, or an SAE so I'm kinda inexperienced with both.  Any info offer is greatly appreciated! ;D

 

[Matt Nace]

I have 6 ottos and 6 SAE in a heavely planted 29g. They keep it pretty good.

I would go with 8 ottos and more SAE. Like at least 6. They also tend to school together among the plants....at least mine tend to.

 

[dattack]

I agree, get more than 6 for your tank.

 

[fishboy]

Yes, that would work 8)

 

[DaveStall]

Just a word of warning here.  SAEs get to be 6 inches or larger in a very short period of time.  I would not recommend putting 6 of them in a 29g tank.  A good rule of thumb for ottos is one per 10g, and indeed the two I have in my 20g seem to do a pretty good job on the algae.  In my 75g heavily planted I have one large (6-7&quot SAE and one bristlenose plec, and the two together do a great job of algae control.  I will also make one last observation about SAEs:  they eat alot more algae when they are young.  When they get larger they tend to fill themselves up on flake food whenever they can.

 

[Matt Nace]

Thanks for the tip davestall.

If they outgrow the tank, I have plenty of tanks for them to goto.(even if they are buggers to catch)

right now, they are not a lot bigger than when I got them. I have one 4 inch SAE in a 29 with 4 ottos and they don't take care of glass like the ottos in the other 29. So I like my 6 otto/SAE for now.  

 

[Fish Monger]

That's why I asked if 1 - 2 SAE would go good with 7 - 8 Ottos -- I knew they got to be about six inches.  When I was told 6 of em my heart kinda sank as that's 36 inches of fish, which would have forced me to cut out one or two other fishes I would rather keep.

Maybe I will get 1 or 2 after all.

 

[dattack]

It's just that SAE and otos eat different type of algae.  Otos eat mostly brown algae while the SAE take care of hair algae and black brush algae.

 

[DaveStall]

That's exactly right dat, and a very good obervation as well.  I have found that the best approach to algae control is (a) lots of plants and (b) a combination of algae eating fish.  In my larger tank I have found that nothing beats my bristlenose plec as far a keeping the glass, rocks, and broad leafed plants clean.  My SAE takes care of the stringy algae that grows on the plants.  In my smaller tank, the ottos do a decent job, but I really need something else to keep the plants clean.