jase1

hi there!
im looking to add an algae eater to my tank. Can anyone suggest one? Or is it maybe too soon to add one?
my tank has been set-up about 5 weeks now. have 5 platys, 5 neons tetras and 4 rummy nose tetras. I complete a 25% water change weekly and my water checks have been constant within the last 2 weeks at a PH 8.0, Ammonia 0-0.25, Nitrites 2.0- 5.0 and nitrate 5.0ppm.

Many thanx
Jase1

Shawnie

Hi jase..your tank isnt cycled yet..DAILY water changes of at least 50% are needed until it is...then you can go from there

Barbrella

How long have you had the tetras? I"m very surprised that they're alive, with that high ammonia and nitrites. Those readings must be at zero for the tank to be cycled.

After the tank is actually cycled and you have some algae, a bristlenose pleco is your best bet for an algae eater.

Alessa

yeah, wait until your tank is cycled... until then, 50% daily water changes until your ammonia and nitrite are both 0.

Then, you can think of getting a small school of otos

and welcome to Fishlore!

pepetj

Are you using reagents (liquid) test or strips? The reason I ask is because strips could give you false positives. Are you testing prior to water changes? What are your measures afterwards?.

It may be that your tank is toward the end of cycling, since all your fishes are OK. Once your readings in ammonia and nitrite reach zero, your nitrates are likely to be higher than 5ppm. I would do at least two 50% water changes -one day in between- and then add your algae eater(s).

Pepe
Santo Domingo

jase1

Thanks all for your quick replies and advice!!
Barbrella....Have had the tetras for 4 weeks, one had died about 2weeks after i put them in, but i thinks she died becoz she got trapped in an artificial plant i had in the tank which i since have taken out.
Pepetj... Using reagents for testing and have tested both before and after water changes both giving me roughly the same result.
I have another question...During the cycling period, is it wise to clean my filter or change the filter media? And is it ok to vacuum the substrate during the cycling process?
Thanx again

Jase

Evelyn1919

Hi Jase and welcome to fishlore!
during your cycle you should not be vacuuming the gravel, also you should not change your filter media because that's where all your beneficial bacteria is. If you have carbon in your filter then that needs to be changed every 3/4 weeks if i'm not mistaken but you would be better off just taking it out and replacing it with some sponge in it so that more beneficial bacteria grows in it (that's what i did).
like most people here said- your tank is not cycled yet so you must do daily water changes of about 50% otherwise your fish will not be healthy even if it seems that way. once you have ammonia: 0 , nitrite: 0 , and nitrate: 10-20 then you know your cycle is done. DO NOT add any more fish until your tank is cycled and once it is then you can add a small school (like 3) of ottos which are very cute little fish.

good luck!!!

HatchetHaven

Just a little word of advice - if you have fake plants, then you can leave the tank lights on for only about 5 hours a day when you are there to watch them. The fish won't mind, and it will make it difficult for algae to grow. You don't need an algae eater when you don't have algae! Also bear in mind most algae eating species will only eat a small fraction of all the algae types out there. To be honest, I think your tank is stocked to it's capacity anyway! Remember, algae eaters are not the key to no algae - they can just help out for those who have algae problems. In order to stop algae happening, keep your water parameters in check (High nitrates is good for algae) and keep the lights on for as little as possible. No more than 8 hours I would say.

jase1

Thanx all for your replies and advice

Jase

jase1

Evelyn...You said in reply that any carbon sponges should be replaced every 3/4 weeks, does this include during the cycling period?

Thanx

HatchetHaven

Yes. Personally, I don't think carbon sponges are that much use. I only use them if I need to get rid of meds in my tank - Carbon sponges get rid of chemical impurities.

Evelyn1919

yes, including during the cycling period. when i had carbon i always changed it even when i was doing the cycle then people here said that it was just a waste and that i would be better off just taking it out and replacing it with some sponges that they sell for the filters at the LFS and that's what i did and for me it worked just fine.