10gallonmadness

I'm at the point where WC's just aren't working. I need a good algae eating organism. The most important thing is that it needs to stay fairly small, doesn't require being kept in groups, and it's not aggressive. This algae is over running my tank. It's overtaking my Java Moss and Java Ferns.

Which brings me to my other question. My Java Fern now is over 8"+! How do I trim this thing without harming it?

Also, does anyone have the link to a DIY flow adjuster? I've looked but can't find anything.


* EDIT: Sorry guys, I mean't to say Java FERN trimmings. Not Java Moss.

Butterfly

Refresh my memory please what kind of algae do you have?
Carol

emily8

I can't really help you with anything else, but in terms of the algae eater, you could do a bristlenose pleco, siamese algae eater, or a butterfly loach. There are more but those are the ones that I know of that stay relatively small.

redlessi

Ottos eat some algae and stay pretty small, you could get 2 of them. My first thought was shrimp but they would most likely become lunch in your tank.

Good Luck

10gallonmadness

Oh Jeez. It's like a mix. Brown and green. TBH I really don't know the species and classes of Algae.

Butterfly

Since the 10g has a betta, 2 danios and 4 glo light tetras just about anything besides an Oto or two is going to be too big.

I have added Flourish Excel to my tanks in the past to get rid of algae. It makes the nutrients more available for your plants to use thus starving the algae.
have you tested your tap water for Nitrates?
Carol
The brown is probably diatoms and will go away by it's self. here are a few pics of algae
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9

10gallonmadness

The Betta is in his own tank now. I forgot to update the tank info.

Flyfrod

I agree redlessi 2 otos would be a good option for a small algae eater. As for the moss, you can usually just pull out what you don't want with your hands. Good luck with the flow adjuster not sure what to do there.

Butterfly

Good move Then a couple of Otos would be ideal. Since everything else gets a bit bigger they will contribute more waste and nutrients than they would be cleaning up
Carol

10gallonmadness

I'm thinking 3 Otto's... sound good?

It appears I have Spot Algae, Brown Algae, and a bit of Slime Algae.

Flyfrod

Try putting a sponge or filter material over your intake. That might help to slow down the flow rate if you need too.

Butterfly

Which tank are you trying to slow the flow down in? the betta tank or the other one.
Here are some suggestions
How To: Slow Down Current From A Filter
I've also see a soda bottle cut long ways and affixed to the out flow of the filter so it flows into the soda bottle and overflows into the the tank making it a gentler more difused flow.
You might find some more in the DIY forum
Carol

10gallonmadness

The Betta tank and I like the soda bottle idea.

Butterfly

cool

10gallonmadness

I don't mean to be annoying but, could you please be more specific for the soda bottle idea? Sorry to be a nuisance but when you say longways what do you mean by that?

Butterfly

np, your not in the least annoying. Here are some pics to demonstrate what I mean.
1) cut off top (2 liter coke bottle)
2) cut off the bottom
3) cut up both sides
4)take one side and affix to the back of the over flow(cut to fit filter over flow)
5) allows water to run out each end of the plastic instead in a hard flow straight out of the filter
Carol

Attached Images

	cut top off 1.JPG (102.1 KB, 18 views)
	cut bottom off 2.JPG (87.2 KB, 18 views)
	cut up both sides 3.JPG (80.4 KB, 18 views)
	affix to back of out flow 4.JPG (108.3 KB, 18 views)
	allows water to diffuse out both ends 5.JPG (109.4 KB, 18 views)

10gallonmadness

Thanks Butterfly!


Well I have just got back from my LFS and I bought 2 Otto's and a new Gravel Vac siphon. The Otto's are currently acclimating to my 10G. I'm gonna have to stay on top of my WC's for the first few months now.

Elodea

I suggest some horned nerite snails or Amano shrimp to tackle any algae on plant leaves that the otos are too large to get. I was also going to suggest the larger zebra nerites, but it seems that the otos are covering their job.