kahuna

Currently am cycling a 55 gal., once complete I need an algae eater. Had made up my mind on the Oto (was planning on approx 3) but visited my LFS today and was told an Oto is not sufficient for 55 gal. He suggested a clown pleco would be more effective, taking into account my not wanting anything over 6".

I know the Oto can be a risk as far as survival, but I get the impression the pleco is somewhat questionable on eating algae. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

AlyeskaGirl

I don't know much about Otos but what I do know is they are a schooling fish and are very sensitive to water conditions and are not recommended for newly cycled tanks. More for established tanks; 2 months or more after finishing cycling. You also need to supplement Algae wafers/rounds if not any algae in tank.

I would go with a Bristlenose or Clown Pleco for a 55 gal tank. They only get about 6". The common Pleco/Sailfin gets too big for your size tank. I do know that the common pleco gets lazy when it gets bigger not sure about the BN's etc.

coffeebean

i love otos. they are little and cute. if i was to put them in my 55 i would get more then 3....maybe 5 or 6.

kahuna

Thanks. I had not planned on putting anything in until the cycle was complete, but it makes sense to wait for a more established atmosphere. Guess I will have to either go with a pleco or wait a couple more months after cycle.

Shawnie

although some great suggestions above, im wondering why an algae eater? do you expect algae? not all tanks need them and most end up feeding substituted food as there sometimes isnt enough algae to keep them happy...do you just want some because?

pinkfloydpuffer

Hehe, that's why I have my pleco... there's not much algae but i just love him ^_^

mathas

It's a shame that the people who sell these animals often don't even know what their needs are. Clown plecos are not algae eaters, and would be a very poor substitute for a group of otos if your goal is algae reduction.

From PlanetCatfish:

If you just want a pleco, sure, a clown is great. If you want something to reduce algae, look elsewhere.

Shawnie

I agree and thats why I Have my royal and chocolate boy...but theres not always a need for them just a want....

kahuna

I think the Oto's are really cute, but I do have algae on most of the plants and am continuously cleaning off the glass. I have an ornamental dragon which looks like it has a fuzzy face. Actually the dragon looks kool.

I have the lights on for approx. 10 hrs and am not sure if my excessively hard water has a lot to do with it?

Shawnie

if its brown algae, its probably diatoms,,which comes and goes for a few months with new tanks ....

kahuna

I see mostly brown algae on the plants and glass, but the dragon is like a deep mossy green?

Shawnie

other than overfeeding or indirect/direct sunlight being on the tank, im not familiar with any other green types of algae..but there is tons different kinds

AlyeskaGirl

I don't have any algae in my tanks eather nor any plecos at the moment. my lfs finally got in some BN and I want one because I've always admired them. I have researched them and know what they need.

Shawnie

I want some BN's also ...just because LOL ....but none are around here

pinkfloydpuffer

No way! We have tons around here!

kahuna

I have attached 2 photos of the algae, hopefully I did it correctly.

No direct sunlight, but does have indirect. May possibly be a husband who has tendency to overfeed.

Attached Images

	Green_Algae_on_Dragon.JPG (59.9 KB, 66 views)
	Brown_Algae_on_plant___dragon.JPG (77.9 KB, 65 views)

pinkfloydpuffer

Hm.... is that algae soft and comes off easily? Or is it tough?

Cordi

for the brown algae, you want Bristlenose's or Cherry/CRS/CBS/Bee shrimp (shrimp not always good for comunity - could just end up being expensive food)

for the green algae you have.. an algae pad and elbow greece is the way to go

kahuna

It is soft and comes off pretty easy. Call me crazy, but I think it looks kool. Is it bad for the tank?

helen38

my 3inch pleco is extremely lazy and the bn i bought got killed by the pleco i think (he was there one day and gone the next, no sign he ever existed), i had 3 otos but unfortunately they all died within 2 weeks of having them so its elbow grease for me.

pinkfloydpuffer

That sounds like cyanobacteria to me..... and if so, you want to get rid of it fast, I've had it in two tanks and it's nasty stuff. Look to this link for more info... http://naturalaquariums.com/plantedtank/0608.html

Shawnie

the brown algae will come and go and doest hurt anything...most fishies even snack on it now and then...the green , although I think it looks cool also, could overrun your tank but you can just wipe it off if it gets too bad....if its from overfeeding tho, the nitrates and ammonia can sneak up on you as well, so that would be a concern but otherwise, wiping it off if it gets out of control would be fine

kahuna

The green seems to be confined to the one dragon. I will have to keep up on cleaning it and make sure it is under control, although my Platy's are always pecking at it as if they are feeding on it.

Tony G.

i have brown algae too, and i dont know how to get rid of it.
Ive scrubbed it with a sponge before,
but it comes back a few days later
i dont know wether to get a snail or an algae eater

AlyeskaGirl

http://freshwater-aquarium-fish.com/...d=35&Itemid=46

David593

I used to think that my small pleco in my ten gal. didnt clean much. Boy was I wrong! I moved him to my 55 gallon tank a month ago, and my ten gal has never been the same. I even have some otos. They dont do neary as good of a job, IMO. Now I appreciate my sorta ugly pleco. lol