Algae eater for 10g?

ravekiss · 01-25-2005, 07:24 AM

Whats the best algae eater for a 10g? Other occupants are platies, cories, guppies & 1 Gourami. I need to get rid of the brown algae forming to the tips of my plastic plants. I have lights on at least 12-14 hours a day.

Joel · 01-25-2005, 08:11 AM

I have three ottos in my ten with my betta. Does a good job. Ottos olny grow to 1.5 inches and there cheap. I paid five dollars for them. One thing to add they do better in groups so buy more than one. Simpte is right they arent very hardy but if your tank has been up and going for awhile I'd give them a shot.

**Damon** · 01-25-2005, 08:26 AM

Otos are great cleaners, but they need very good and stable water conditions. They also have a tendancy to die within a week of bringing them home. They are not hardy fish and never buy them unless you're sure the lfs has had them for at least a week. Other than otos, Apple or Mystery snails will work in a 10 gallon.

yoink · 01-25-2005, 09:20 PM

My daughter has an apple snail in a 5 gallon with a beta and it does a great job keeping things clean.

nosilver4u · 01-25-2005, 10:23 PM

I haven't had much luck with snails. I had 4 black mystery snails, and while they would clean up a little, I was constantly having to clean the glass myself.
I finally got a plecostomus (pretty sure I butchered the spelling on that one), because I noticed they had em in all the tanks at walmart. My first one did well in my 10 gallon, until I was stupid and put him in a really dirty 5 gallon. He started cleaning right away, but died a few days later. My second one has been doing well for over a month and keeping the tank spotless. I overheard a lady at the store say that hers got pretty huge by the time it died (after 3 years), but they usually won't bother the other fish and are pretty passive from my experience, although they do poop a lot, so make sure your water changes are regular.
I just recently got another one (about 2 inches long) for my 2nd 10 gallon tank, and he looks like he's having a grand old time at the buffet line.

Mari · 01-26-2005, 10:54 AM

If you check LFS' they often times have variations to plecos that will not grow as much, making them better for 10 gal tanks. One might be a midnight...I'm not too sure, but I was recommended a few, along with ottos when I inquired. Just ask around and they might just have one for you.

**Cichlid Man** · 01-26-2005, 11:27 AM

Best correct your water chemistry before buying other fish.
Once your gourami has recovered, an otto will be ideal as already said.

01-25-2005, 07:24 AM	#1
ravekiss Crazy for Corys! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Queens, NY Age: 27 Posts: 181	Algae eater for 10g? Whats the best algae eater for a 10g? Other occupants are platies, cories, guppies & 1 Gourami. I need to get rid of the brown algae forming to the tips of my plastic plants. I have lights on at least 12-14 hours a day.

01-25-2005, 08:26 AM	#3
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Re: Algae eater for 10g? Otos are great cleaners, but they need very good and stable water conditions. They also have a tendancy to die within a week of bringing them home. They are not hardy fish and never buy them unless you're sure the lfs has had them for at least a week. Other than otos, Apple or Mystery snails will work in a 10 gallon. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

01-25-2005, 09:20 PM	#4
yoink Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7	Re: Algae eater for 10g? My daughter has an apple snail in a 5 gallon with a beta and it does a great job keeping things clean.

01-25-2005, 10:23 PM	#5
nosilver4u Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 39	Re: Algae eater for 10g? I haven't had much luck with snails. I had 4 black mystery snails, and while they would clean up a little, I was constantly having to clean the glass myself. I finally got a plecostomus (pretty sure I butchered the spelling on that one), because I noticed they had em in all the tanks at walmart. My first one did well in my 10 gallon, until I was stupid and put him in a really dirty 5 gallon. He started cleaning right away, but died a few days later. My second one has been doing well for over a month and keeping the tank spotless. I overheard a lady at the store say that hers got pretty huge by the time it died (after 3 years), but they usually won't bother the other fish and are pretty passive from my experience, although they do poop a lot, so make sure your water changes are regular. I just recently got another one (about 2 inches long) for my 2nd 10 gallon tank, and he looks like he's having a grand old time at the buffet line. __________________ I gave hope to men. I keep none for myself.

01-26-2005, 10:54 AM	#6
Mari Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Des Plaines, Illinois Age: 23 Posts: 83	Re: Algae eater for 10g? If you check LFS' they often times have variations to plecos that will not grow as much, making them better for 10 gal tanks. One might be a midnight...I'm not too sure, but I was recommended a few, along with ottos when I inquired. Just ask around and they might just have one for you.

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01-25-2005, 08:11 AM	#2
Joel Fishy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 10	I have three ottos in my ten with my betta. Does a good job. Ottos olny grow to 1.5 inches and there cheap. I paid five dollars for them. One thing to add they do better in groups so buy more than one. Simpte is right they arent very hardy but if your tank has been up and going for awhile I'd give them a shot.

01-26-2005, 11:27 AM	#7
Cichlid Man Super moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,100	Re: Algae eater for 10g? Best correct your water chemistry before buying other fish. Once your gourami has recovered, an otto will be ideal as already said. __________________ If you have a big enough tank with enough hiding places, pH of around 7, you can keep virtually any fish together as long as all the fish are around the same size and these two groups of fish are avioded: Serrasalmus Tetradon(figure eights and dwarfs are the exception). I keep a successful community of fish in a 4 foot tank including the following families: Cichlids, tetras, loaches, gouramis, barbs, rainbows, livebearers, killiefish, catfish, puffers.

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