What Do I Need To Control Algae In A 36 Gallon Tank?
Fashooga
Member
You can always get a bristlenose pleco, they grow about 5 inches max.
Also how long do you keep your lights on?
Also how long do you keep your lights on?
JenC
Member
If the algae is really problematic it would be better to address the root cause rather than add fish in hopes they clean it.
Do you have an idea of what's causing it and what kind of is? Common catalysts for algae growth are lights too strong (especially if no CO2), lights too long, natural sunlight hitting the tank, and excess organic waste.
Do you have an idea of what's causing it and what kind of is? Common catalysts for algae growth are lights too strong (especially if no CO2), lights too long, natural sunlight hitting the tank, and excess organic waste.
- Thread Starter
MicG
Member
12 hours a day with a timer.Fashooga said:You can always get a bristlenose pleco, they grow about 5 inches max.
Also how long do you keep your lights on?
Thanks for the reminding, I think I searched that little guy. How many do you think I’ll need for a 36g?
It’s not huge problem, I just want to make a balance from the very beginning. When you keep fish you don’t solve problems one by one, you predict the issues and try to reduce the risk from first step, right?JenC said:If the algae is really problematic it would be better to address the root cause rather than add fish in hopes they clean it.
Do you have an idea of what's causing it and what kind of is? Common catalysts for algae growth are lights too strong (especially if no CO2), lights too long, natural sunlight hitting the tank, and excess organic waste.
Momgoose56
Member
What is a GAE? Nerite snails are great algae eaters. Others, not so much. Best way to control algae is by cutting down on light and regular weekly water changes.
- Thread Starter
MicG
Member
Gold algae eaterMomgoose56 said:What is a GAE? Nerite snails are great algae eaters. Others, not so much. Best way to control algae is by cutting down on light and regular weekly water changes.
Thanks for the suggestions guys, appreciated!
Will buy some snails first
Momgoose56
Member
A golden algae eater IS a chinese algae eater. You'd be trading trouble for trouble. Best way to get rid of algae is typ get rid of what's causing it.MicG said:Gold algae eater
Thanks for the suggestions guys, appreciated!
Will buy some snails first
One BN pleco is plenty for a small tank.MicG said:12 hours a day with a timer.
Thanks for the reminding, I think I searched that little guy. How many do you think I’ll need for a 36g?
Cut your light time in half. A BN pleco won't eat the green algae that grows on glass that has to be razored off but a couple Nerites would. Female Nerites lay dozens of flat white eggs that also have to be scraped off. So when you pick out your nerite(s) you might want to get the smallest ones they have (males are smaller than females)...
JenC
Member
I'm not quite sure what you mean but fixing the cause of the algae is the solution. A tank is balanced when lights, fertilizers, organic waste, plants, etc., are in harmony. A clean-up fish isn't a critical part of that equation; it's just a band-aid on a problem.MicG said:It’s not huge problem, I just want to make a balance from the very beginning. When you keep fish you don’t solve problems one by one, you predict the issues and try to reduce the risk from first step, right?
That said, if you want a BN pleco because you think they're awesome fish then yes, totally get one. But don't get one just for their algae-cleaning potential because you can control the factors that grow algae.
Momgoose56
Member
Right. Create a balance so you don't have to anticipate a problem in the first place as JenC said. I have never had an algae problem in my tank's that wasn't caused by too much light or water problems. Algae eaters can't fix that and as you have experienced with your CAE, algae eaters can bring a whole new set of problems with them.MicG said:It’s not huge problem, I just want to make a balance from the very beginning. When you keep fish you don’t solve problems one by one, you predict the issues and try to reduce the risk from first step, right?
bizaliz3
Member
I agree with JenC . If your purpose for getting a BN pleco is for algae removal....you will be disappointed. They are not these algae eating machines people claI'm them to be. They eat algae a lot as youngsters, but adult BNs don't do a lot of algae eating. Especially if you give them an appropriate diet rather than starving them to force them to eat the algae like some people do. :-(
However, If you actually want to keep one as a pet, because you think they are cool then great! Go for it!
But just keep in mind...that they will leave more poop behind than anything else. So they will make the tank messier and require more vacuuming. Which is why I feel calling them tank cleaners is a total oxymoron!!! hahaha
I also agree with the nerite snail suggestion, They eat algae WAY better than plecos in my experience. And they don't add a huge bioload to your tank like a pleco would.
However, If you actually want to keep one as a pet, because you think they are cool then great! Go for it!
But just keep in mind...that they will leave more poop behind than anything else. So they will make the tank messier and require more vacuuming. Which is why I feel calling them tank cleaners is a total oxymoron!!! hahaha
I also agree with the nerite snail suggestion, They eat algae WAY better than plecos in my experience. And they don't add a huge bioload to your tank like a pleco would.
- Thread Starter
MicG
Member
Really like what you have addressed.bizaliz3 said:I agree with JenC . If your purpose for getting a BN pleco is for algae removal....you will be disappointed. They are not these algae eating machines people claI'm them to be. They eat algae a lot as youngsters, but adult BNs don't do a lot of algae eating. Especially if you give them an appropriate diet rather than starving them to force them to eat the algae like some people do. :-(
However, If you actually want to keep one as a pet, because you think they are cool then great! Go for it!
But just keep in mind...that they will leave more poop behind than anything else. So they will make the tank messier and require more vacuuming. Which is why I feel calling them tank cleaners is a total oxymoron!!! hahaha
I also agree with the nerite snail suggestion, They eat algae WAY better than plecos in my experience. And they don't add a huge bioload to your tank like a pleco would.
True, I consider Plecos as algae eaters and try to use them to control the algae. Because I also have molly fish they are doing the favor as well. So I didn’t quite think algae growing is a huge issue for my tank. But I did read some input from above and appreciate their help. Personally I am not a fan of chemicals such as algae control, so I want the natural way, like Plecos like snails. I also start to turn my tank into planted one, so this would for sure also help.
I have a big picture now and thanks everyone for the kind help. Really like this place.
Fashooga
Member
You might want to cut down on the hours. 12 hours is a lot of hours and that's a large build of algae. I would cut it down to maybe 5 hours. I have mine come on at 6 pm, off by 11 pm.MicG said:12 hours a day with a timer.
Thanks for the reminding, I think I searched that little guy. How many do you think I’ll need for a 36g?
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