Newbie need some advice re: brown algae eaters

dmerle · Post by **dmerle** » 26 Mar 2003, 20:14

hello - I have a 20 gallon long tank that's been up and running for about 2
months. It currently has these fish:
4 zebra danios
4 cherry barbs
4 marigold plattys
2 bronze corys
1 oto

I've been having a bad problem with brown algae. I know that oto's
eat brown algae but oto's seem not to survive in my tank (it is non-planted
and has 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 15 nitrates, water on the soft side (6 dh of GH
and 3 dh KH) and fairly alkaline pH (about 7.6). So far I have only managed to
keep otos for about 3 weeks. I was wondering if a bristlenose or some other
type of pleco might help. Would a bristlenose be too big?

Thanks in advance.
-Deb S. (in Massachusetts USA)

Post by **Barbie** » 26 Mar 2003, 22:37

That brown algae is just a part of the tanks stabilizing process. As soon as the silicates in the water column are exhausted it will go away by itself. It's usually only annoying for a month or so. Otos can be a bit sensitive to shipping, so you might try three or four more, and acclimate them slowly before you add them to the tank. Hope that helps.

Barbie

dmerle · Post by **dmerle** » 27 Mar 2003, 13:05

Thanks for the info - will the silicates 'disappear' over time or will they be replenished
each time I do a water change?!

Sid Guppy · Post by **Sid Guppy** » 27 Mar 2003, 16:02

Otocinclus does best in a tank containing live plants. Ever thought about getting some? it'll make keeping the tank in prime shape a LOT easier, and with your fish, it shouldn't be a problem, keeping some Cryptocorynes or Javafern alive.

A single bristlenose can be kept in that tank; just get a young one (1-2"); he'll clean out algae fast, he doesn't need wood (unlike clownpleco's and the like) and he won't get too big (4" or so)
Common Pleco's get up to 45-55 cm, wich is -of course- WAAAYYY out of line.

dmerle · Post by **dmerle** » 27 Mar 2003, 20:47

thanks - I've been thinking about plants -- is 20 watts (24" bulb) on
a 20 gal long (12" high, 12" wide, 30" long) enough for low light plants?
-deb

vulkoq · Post by **vulkoq** » 28 Mar 2003, 04:44

Plants are well worth your while. Java fern, java moss, hornwort, crypts, maybe anubias nana should do ok. Or throw some more light on there; even the "low light" plants will appreciate it.