LetDiceFly

I have ordered a 18 gallon tall tank and an Eclipse hood with 2 18in lamps. I plan to put as many plants in as I can, but I imagine I will get a lot more algae problems. The fish now in my 10 gallon are going into the new 18 gallon. I need to know what kind of algae eaters I can use that won't eat my plants, and won't get eaten by my bettas like I hear happens to shrimp. I like corys so I am thinking of putting some of them in. Do I need any CO2 equipment to have success with plants with this set-up. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

sirdarksol

CO2 will help, but is not necessary. I have three planted tanks and no CO2.

Cories will clean extra food up, but they won't do much actual algae cleaning.

About the only actual algae eaters (other than shrimp) that will fit in a 10g would be the otocinclus catfish (oto). They're good little cleaners, but ultra-sensitive to water chemistry changes, so be sure you keep the water quality good.

LetDiceFly

I'm actually getting a 18 gal tank, but that isn't enough difference for the larger cleaners. Anyone have any experience with shrimp and bettas. From what I've read, it is ok, but they warn that the betta may eat some of them. I just don't want my fish getting sick from eating them, or get any shrimp that are expensive only to have them eaten. What about snails? Or are they only good for unplanted tanks.

angelfish220

the only snails that really clean are pond snails and they eat plants too.

If there is plenty of plants for them to hide in, shimps will be fine in there, but I wouldnt get anything expensive for a while till you see how the betta reacts

joy613

The only experience I have had with shrimp and bettas is meals on wheels for the betta. I got 4 and none of them lasted more than a week. When they would molt my betta ate them. I had plenty of plants he would actually wait very still and get them. I have MTS, rams horn, and pond snails, never had a problem with snails eating my healthy plants only the dieing and dead plants. I DID HAVE a couple of mystery snails but I put them in a tank with a betta that ate the eye stocks. I am actually unable to keep a good snail population in any of my betta tanks since they eat the eggs and snails. MTS are live bearers and are the only ones that seem to even hold their own against them. Oou can do very well without any CO2 I don't have any in my tanks but when algae gets to be a problem on my slower growing plants like anubias I use excel. Some plants don't do good with excel vals and anacharis there is probably others but those 2 I have first hand experience with.

LetDiceFly

My tank will be 18 gallon with 30watts (I assume this is my limitation with 2 18" bulbs). What kind of limitations does this put on my plant selection. I will be looking for some plants that will use some of the 20" height of this aquarium. I also see people with plants that grow on wood and decorations, what kind of plants are these. Assuming I have ottos and corys, what unwanted growth will I have that they won't take care of, and what can I do about it.

sirdarksol

Any plant that says "moderate" lighting or lower on plantgeek.net will stand a decent chance in that level of light.

In an 18g, you could probably go with a bristlenose pleco or one of the other really short ones. Sorry I misread your first post.

Red_Rose

I have pond snails in both of my tanks and although they do clean up a bit of the algae, they have yet to eat my plants. If you want a really good algae eater then get a Nerite snail. Most people recommend either and Olive nerite(Vitta usnea) or a Zebra nerite(Neritina natalensis).

I have two Zebras in my betta's 10g and it took them less then a month to clear out the algae in my tank and my betta is fine with them. I don't have to clean the glass in the tank anymore because of them!

If you do plan on getting these snails, make sure you know what your GH and KH are. Nerites like hard water so the GH has to be at least 8dGH(higher is better for them) and the KH anywhere from 8-18dKH.

shellbell4ever

My female Betta Ripley Killed her tank mate a ghost shrimp the other day,It had been in with her for a while and when I took out the divider and gave her the whole tank to her self and did a little rearanging, when she saw it she went right after it...I thought she was just being curious...The next morning it was dead ...I also removed the one in with my male as well. Good luck!

Barbrella

It's impossible to say what cleaners are compatible with bettas. It totally depends on the betta. Some are very tolerant, others will not allow a living thing in their tanks. THe only way to find out is to try the snail, shrimp etc and keep a close eye on them. You'll need to have another tank to put the snail in if the betta harasses or bites it.

Red_Rose

That's very true, Barbrella. If the betta is very aggressive, then it's best that he or she be kept by themselves.

What you could try to do is before you add any other critters to the tank, scoop out the betta first and then add the shrimp, snails, etc. Once they are in the tank then add your betta back in there. Sometimes that helps a betta to become less territorial because the other animals were in the tank first.

HatchetHaven

Don't forget to check out www.Plantedtank.net! They're really good on planted tanks as you may have guessed. As for algae eaters, Corys won't acctualy eat algae, just scavenge of the bottom. They tend to uproot plants when full grown, so not my reccomendation. Oto's are cute little algae executioners. Nerite snails are excellent - I hope to get a few more soon. Just experiment - and keep another tank at the ready!

ThisGuy

I have a juvenile albino bristlenose pleco in with my beta, he doesn't care about him at all, i just keep an eye on his eyes. I have read that African cichlids will eat the eyes out of plecos so i have been watching to see if Mr.Betta will do that. So far so good. Tank looks a lot better without the algae.