matt6765

Which do you like to clean your algae?

HN1

None of the above.... I do my own labor.

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matt6765

really maybe I should add self clean

HN1

Possibly. I know of a few people that tend to share my sentiment regarding adding animals to solve tank problems. I would say that if you like the animal in it's own right, have room, and understand that just about any "algae eater" will require supplemental feeding, add what you like best. If it is only for cleaning algae, do it yourself. That's JMO.

matt6765

I have two snails that clean my algae.

fishchick

pleco right now , he is so big , call him big boy ! its a common pleco !

Butterfly

Exactly how I feel! Thanks for stating it so well. Many time animals are chosen for a job then when the job is done the animal is no longer wanted. Plecos, snails and loaches are at the top of the list.
I do have mystery snails(chosen for their shell colors and behavior) and plecos chosen for their size and habits and a tank full of loaches.
So I say none of the above also
carol

harpua2002

I agree as well. I prefer to purchase animals because I want them, not because I want them to perform a function.

matt6765

I have 2 snails but I got them to clean the algae and because the are pretty

Butterfly

That's cool. If you get something to solve a problem just make sure you will want it after the problem is solved and know their needs before buying
carol

matt6765

i love my snail but should I feed them something or will they find their own food?

HN1

Your snail would appreciate the occasional fresh veggie or algae wafer.

matt6765

When I put in a algae wafer my other fish eat it

Butterfly

Dark green veggies have lots of calcium in them . That would help his shell
Carol

HN1

Try putting one (or a piece of one to avoid overfeeding) in at night an hour or more after lights out.

Yup. My brigs loved spinach which worked out well because I hate it! lol

matt6765

I just put algae wafer in and fish attacked it but the snail went on top of it and ate some of it

Amanda

I have both snails (not intended) and 2 plecos (clown & common). My clown doesn't eat algae, so he's just there to look pretty. The commonn cleaned up my 55 like magic. But since he's moving to a brand new 90, there won't be any algae. He'll just be in there for looks & a conversation piece when he gets huge.

Phinny12

I am new to snails. They are in a planted tank- no fish.. they were bought by the Biology department and thrown in a tank of large goldfish. I rescued them ( as they were under attack & I don't think they liked being cold) and put them into a 29 planted Elodea tank...They are BIG! Golden Apple Snails .. They are very active and most interesting creatures!

Tony G.

none of the above... its just me and mr. spongebob...
(its a yellow sponge therefore his name is... ok you get it )

KyWildFish

I will say I added my pleco for the wrong reason at first. After reading up on him I realized I needed to sup his diet and did just that. Now he's out all the time and one of my favorite fish in my tank. Great personality and fun to watch carry around his algae tablet.

That being said, rest in peace speedy the snail. You were underfed and died because of my ignorance.

fishchick

just noticed in my fish book that my pleco is supposed to get bout 12 in ! that is huge , of course is huge now !

fishchick

I toss in a algae wafer every other night, don't have any algae on tank left , the pleco will eat it up right then , between that and shrimp pellets he is happy ! can a pleco eat a brown spots on sides of another tank ?

Fish_wise_man

I would say both.

Snails don't really get tired and they are always cleaning algae or eating food scraps from the ground.

Plecos overtime will get lazy, but they still do a good job when they are still young I always replace the plecos that grow lazy with plecos that aren't lazy.

FearTheFishies

yah i agree i would get a pleco just because i like them.