Algae Fix

[shamgar1]

I am having problems with bearded algae (the long stringy brownish green stuff). I have live plants. I have a bristlenose, clown pleco, and rubbermouth pleco. Does anyone know if treating the tank with AlgaeFix will hurt the plecos? I am worried about them eating the dying or dead algae. I know some non aquatic plants build up natural amounts of acids internally as they die and can hurt livestock that eat them. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also have 5 discus in the tank, so I'm in no hurry to buy any nippy fish like flag fish (I've heard they eat this algae.)
Thanks,
Shamgar

[Dinyar]

Algae Fix and the like have never done a lot for me. Depending on how bad my beard algae infestation was, I would do one of two things: throw the exisiting plants away and start again, or remove them from the tank, dip in a weak bleach solution (say 1 part household bleach diluted with 19 parts water) for 5-10 minutes and then replant them. Of course, you need to address the causes of the algae problem, or it will just grow back. Visit thekrib.com or Google "Sears Conklin" to get a better understanding of why algae grows in aquaria and how to keep it at bay.

Dinyar

[Barbie]

Other fish that work very effectively at eating that hair algae is Siamese Algae eaters (do a search) and long fin rosy barbs. The rosy barbs will amaze you with their diligence at removing the stuff from their house, and aren't at all nippy. I've kept them in most of my planted community tanks, even with angels with no problem whatsoever.

Another fish that is amazing at keeping the stuff at bay is Synodontis petricola, believe it or not. They won't be terribly happy in discus water, but if you had a second tank... hehe. Any excuse for more tanks, donchaknow ;)

Barbie