unusual algae eaters

[usacutie81]

Okay so turns out I keep having algae blooms in the tank (my fault I know, keep the darn curtains closed!) so I figure I need to go ahead and get an algae eater, even though I hadn't planned to.

The problem is that I don't want to have the same things that EVERYONE else has. I like being different, and anyone who's seen the pics of my tank knows I like bright colors. Most of the algae eaters I've seen are all the same dark, boring colors (except that bristlenose thing, which is definitly unusual, but slightly creapy looking). Anyone have any suggestions? Or am I just out of luck?

 

[rshxt9]

well. i have a common pleco who isn't so common. I don't think it's the color or breed, it's the individual. Go to a pet store early in the morning or late evening and watch the plecos. Base it on personality, not looks.

 

[Igor The Cat]

but remeber some Pl*cos get wicked huge, even a common gets 16" or more!

cheers

-Java

 

[mattistat]

how big is your tank?

 

[Lotus]

To be honest, you don't need an algae eater, you just need to wait for your cycle to finish. Your ammonia and nitrites can cause algae.

It's really not that hard to clean off algae, and you shouldn't really have much in a healthy, balanced tank.

 

[usacutie81]

The tank is a 75 gal. I saw an Albino Algae eater at the store today, he looked cool. And he'd blend with my gravel so it wouldn't be so obvious...anybody know anything about these guys?

 

[mattistat]

well i would if you dont have too manny fish how manny do you have?

 

[usacutie81]

3 dwarf gouramis, 3 rosy barbs, 2 crayfish, 1 beta

Hopefully in the next few months we will end up with 6 dwarf gouramis, 0 rosy barbs (giving them away), 2 crayfish, 1 beta, 1 bala shark, and 15 cardinal tetras.

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

i really dont think an algae eater would suit your tank... you have crays, and they wont tolerate bottom feeders too well. seeing your posts kind of make me think you are really trying to work the crays into your tank where they dont belong. they have needs too here. also like lotus said, your cycle is just in progress. once its over the algae will calm down.

 

[mattistat]

balla sharks like to be in gerupes (im a bad speller) and i would do a different arrangement but thats just me but you could just wait like they said and clean it out with a scrubber when its really annoiing. i like just getting a mag-float and cleaning the front and pulling out the stuff(not the plants) and scrubbing them down with a toothbrush or somthing. but thats just me and ive got smaller tanks with less stuff

 

[nealio]

Whatever you do don't get a Chinese algae eater, mine became a jerk and now I have to find a new home for him. The LFS told me that they wouldn't attack any of my fish, but after researching a bit I found out they get pretty feisty as they get older. He will swim as fast as he can across the tank like he’s charging some of the other fish, usually the larger ones. He hasn't gone after the gornamis from what I have seen so far.

 

[usacutie81]

alright. So no algae eater for now... should I not have the crays in this tank? They seem to be fine, but I don't know what they are supposed to be like. I'm thinking of putting guppies in this tank and moving the tetras and the beta to a smaller tank. That way this tank would be mostly mid-upper level fish who are decently fast swimmers and can avoid the crays.

And don't worry everyone, I've decided not to get a bala for now. If they need to be in groups, well, they need to be in groups. I'm not gonna get a fish that's gonna be lonely, that would just be mean.

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

dont forget balas get HUGE and are well known tank busters. your crays should survive... but my quote is still STRIVE TO THRIVE NOT SURVIVE!!! can i copyright that? all im saying the temp is a bit low for tropical, and a bit high for coldwater. also, your crays may fight or pick on the fish. especially slower ones like gourramis or bettas.

 

[usacutie81]

Hmmm... so, do I keep the crays and see how they do, or break the news to the hubby that his crays are gonna have to go?

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

you could probably do both crays happily in a 30 long with some good hiding spots. and maybe some rosies. they may occasionally eat a rosie or 2, but they are like 10 cents a piece. i like the look of them too. they look better once you get them out of those overstocked feeder tanks at the store. i totally suggest another tank. the more, the merrier!

 

[usacutie81]

The hubby is not gonna be happy. So, we need to move them to their own tank and make it cold water? What other fish could go in there? I like to have lots of options.

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

you could do some cold water fish... all i really know of are goldies, and rosies. im sure other people know of some more options. if you decide to go with a separate tank, you could better suit the conditions for your crays and trops in your other tank.

 

[usacutie81]

right. Thanks.

 

[VirgoWolf]

Danios do well in colder temps, I kept danios with my crey when I had her. Any Monnow would do well (white clouds are easy to find and fairly attractive). Goldies are a bit big unless you are planning on a BIG tank, but better to leave goldies to the ponds in my opinion. Bitterlings are a different and interesting approach to cold water fish, but good luck finding them! LOL Mosquito fish do well, they are pretty much cold water guppies, just with less color... That's about all I can think of right now, but good luck with whatever you choose, creys are so much fun! I want a blue crey REALLY bad, but I have yet to have the space to setup a tank for one... (or two)