Hello Folks!

spencypoo1 · 01-01-2009, 05:08 PM

I am new to this forum and was hoping I could get some feedback about an algae situation I am dealing with. I was thinking of getting a Pleco for my algae overgrowth in my 18gal freshwater tank. I have had smaller Plecos in the past that did a bang up job, but wasn't sure if they are into all sorts of algae. This particular overgrowth is much more stubborn than others, and darker green.For the time being it has only been removed by me scraping the inside of the tank. Anyone know if a Pleco could assist with this problem?

Thanks a ton!
Spencer

Judge · 01-01-2009, 05:37 PM

Well there Spencypoo, Happy New Year. We are so glad you have decided to join our happy group of fishy people. You can find friendly help and lots of fun hanging around here.
I have a Pleco who does a great job in my tank. He was so good in my 75 that within three days I had to get him some algae tabs to supplement his "grazing". IMO if it's green he'll eat it!
We would like to hear more about you and your set up so why not go to the "Introduce Yourself" and give us a run down of all the particulars.
Again, welcome and feel free to swim around and ask questions, look at our video tutorials, and get to know some of our great members.

thotyler · 01-12-2009, 03:32 PM

also i would recommend a bristlenose pleco instead of a common pleco for you because common plecos get too big for an 18g unless you buy a bigger tank eventually.

hellspawn69 · 01-12-2009, 03:56 PM

Welcome aboard! And I also agree with Thotyler, my Pleco is at least 8-10"s I would say. Thats too big for an 18g tank unless you plan on upgrading, but as mentioned, there are smaller species of Pleco's. They are cool and very pretty fish!

Jay · 01-15-2009, 08:18 AM

Hey Spence..

Some perspective

Be careful of lumping all algae into the generic term "algae"

Unfortunately plecos are not a silver bullet for eradicating all algae. Plecos eat "soft green algae" and will scrape at "diatoms" and most will eat your plants. There is no way that the amount of soft green algae in a hobby aquarium will keep a pleco alive, as it provides very little nutrition. The plecos diet must be supplemented.

Soft green algae is easy to deal with in a fw tank, it is the "red algae" Rhodophyta (lots of species) that no algae eater will touch that can overwhelm your tank.

Jay

BMueller777 · 01-15-2009, 05:54 PM

Hey guys,

Not to steal the thread or anything but I have this absurdly annoying, dark, almost black algea that's just about impossible to remove. My tank is located right by a window BUT it's being moved to the other side of the room very soon so I figured I'd ask how to remove it now assuming the little sunlight it receives is the problem.

It's in little clusters that are kind of like tiny bushes. BBA?

Once I move the tank to the other side of the room I'm obviously going to be taking it down and setting it back up.

So once it's taken down what should I do to get it off my equipment? (Glass heater, plastic filter components, pretty much everywhere)

Thanks

Jay · 01-16-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

So once it's taken down what should I do to get it off my equipment? (Glass heater, plastic filter components, pretty much everywhere)

BBA does not respond to lack of light or just about anything else for that matter. It is tough to eradicate...it can be done...but requires work! As long as you are breaking down I would soak everything in a 19:1 Household Bleach and Water. Soak for at least 1/2 hour for a sure kill

Jay.

BMueller777 · 01-16-2009, 03:57 PM

That's good to know about it not responding to light... I was contemplating a blackout lol...

As for the 19:1 ratio, how do I go about making that? 19 ounces of water to 1 ounce of bleach? Seems like it'd be a lot of bleach if I put it in a 5g bucket.

What about the tank glass and the gravel that has a little bit of BBA on it? I was thinking just scraping the glass and churning the gravel maybe?

Thanks again

Jay · 01-17-2009, 07:21 AM

It's the same ratio 19:1. You could use a smaller container and soak things a few at a time.

Are there going to be fish in the tank during the break down? If you can move them temporarily there are a few things you could do.... Over Dose the tank water with Hydrogen peroxide up to the point where you observe the blooms oxidizing. Use a double dose of Seachem Excel every day for 10 days. Check to be sure there is no NH4. <- Remember NO fish. When the water level is lowered during the breakdown Scrape the Glass and then wipe with an Excel Soaked paper towel.

Remember to wear rubber gloves and eye protection when using thse chemicals.

Jay

BMueller777 · 01-17-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

It's the same ratio 19:1. You could use a smaller container and soak things a few at a time.

I have to rid 2 to 3 pieces of driftwood of the BBA. When I 1st bought the pieces they had to soak in a 5g bucket because of their sizes (I didn't want to tan my water). Also, the only "junk" bucket I have is the 5g I keep talking about, so how much bleach would you add to it to get that ratio? 32 ounces? (Seems like alot to me, that's why I'm asking).

I plan to remove all tank occupiants for the move and remove all the water for the most part. So the scraping and Excel soaked paper towel method will probably be used. But after I wipe down the walls of the tank with the Excel will I have to worry about the Excel resien (if it even has any) left on the tank glass when I fill back up?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

Remember to wear rubber gloves and eye protection when using thse chemicals.

Without a doubt, I don't want to become one of those crazy stories you hear about that could have been easily prevented with something like a pair of gloves and glasses.

Thanks again for all the great information Jay.