getting mixed info about algae control

[sexandcheerios]

I've started a little algae garden (not intentionaly) in my 55g tank since
I've added the new lighting system (3 4' F32T8/Excella bulbs). Most of the
posters on this ng rave about SAEs so I thought I might get a few of them
but then the guy at the LFS (petsmart) tells me that they don't do that
much. I asked about SAEs vs. Otos vs. other options and he said that none
of them really do any good and to either pinch off the leaves (the algae is
mostly on my plants) and discard them or shorten the duration of the light
(cut it back from 12 hours to 8). Who to believe??? I've also heard that
SAEs, Otos, etc. will only eat certain types of algae so I've posted a few
pics of it on alt.binaries.aquaria. Can anyone give me some personal
experiences with Otos or SAEs? Will they eat this type of algae? Is it true
that SAEs eventually quit eating algae and become little terrors? The tank
is stocked with platys, tetras, danios, cory cats, etc.. Any help with this
would be appreciated!

[Tedd]

"sexandcheerios" > wrote in message
...
> I've started a little algae garden (not intentionaly) in my 55g tank since
> I've added the new lighting system (3 4' F32T8/Excella bulbs). Most of the
> posters on this ng rave about SAEs so I thought I might get a few of them
> but then the guy at the LFS (petsmart)...<snip>

many of the chain type pet stores have a bad reputation as far as 'working
knowledge' goes. while this isnt true for all of them (they really should be
judged on a case-by-case basis), it usually will take a while before people will
feel confident about them given their reputation. personally, i listen to the
people here more than my LFS, (especially people like Jim and NetMax, mostly
because they are the ones i've known the most in response to my own questions,
but there certainly are others here! :-) ). combined, the people here have alot
more years of experience, easily more years than these chain stores have been in
bussiness.

> I asked about SAEs vs. Otos vs. other options...

<snip>

> Any help with this
> would be appreciated!

i've had great results with oto's, two in my 25 gallon keep it squeeky clean.
there are others here that will have different opinions, part of it will depend
on your water parameters, fish load and types of fish.

best advice i can give you is what you have already done,... which is ask. :-)

best of luck and i hope this helps you some.

tedd.

[NetMax]

"sexandcheerios" > wrote in message
...
> I've started a little algae garden (not intentionaly) in my 55g tank
since
> I've added the new lighting system (3 4' F32T8/Excella bulbs). Most of
the
> posters on this ng rave about SAEs so I thought I might get a few of
them
> but then the guy at the LFS (petsmart) tells me that they don't do that
> much. I asked about SAEs vs. Otos vs. other options and he said that
none
> of them really do any good and to either pinch off the leaves (the
algae is
> mostly on my plants) and discard them or shorten the duration of the
light
> (cut it back from 12 hours to 8). Who to believe??? I've also heard
that
> SAEs, Otos, etc. will only eat certain types of algae so I've posted a
few
> pics of it on alt.binaries.aquaria. Can anyone give me some personal
> experiences with Otos or SAEs? Will they eat this type of algae? Is it
true
> that SAEs eventually quit eating algae and become little terrors? The
tank
> is stocked with platys, tetras, danios, cory cats, etc.. Any help with
this
> would be appreciated!
>

If you haven't already seen it, I found this article
http://faq.thekrib.com/algae.html very helpful. CAEs have the 'terror'
reputation of going after the slime coat on fish as they get older.
SAEs, SAE sp's, flying foxes etc become more 'boisterous' as they get
larger, but IMO, in a large tank with lots of shelter, it's not a big
issue. You might find a particularly large specimen takes to annoying
certain fish, but I haven't observed and damage caused, so it's a
nuisance value. I've never noticed Otos becoming too active or pesky,
but they stay much smaller. These are only my observations, so do seek
more comments.

Removing algae covered leaves is a very viable course of action, and it's
the only practical action available for certain types of algae. A
diluted bleach dip and some chemicals will also eradicate the algae, but
these are IMO less practical and usually not needed. Mechanical removal
(twist a toothbrush in it, scrape it off or just remove what it's growing
on) is safe and has no effect on the tank's balance.

Modifying the light intensity or duration, will affect the tank's balance
and affect algae growth, (though not always positive or as intended). A
reduction from high light to medium light might slow your plant's removal
of nutrients, and in any sudden change in nutrient levels, algae will
usually prosper. Plants are IMO better at removing the nutrients but
they are like large factories, slow to start but very efficient given a
steady supply. Algae is like stock market day-traders, quickly reacting
to any nutrient bursts (seen after feeding), and then laying low waiting
for the next opportunity. Keeping healthy growing plants is one strategy
for algae eradication, but it takes steady tank servicing (in filter
cleaning and in food supply) and some patience.

In a 55g, if you are certain that you will have a low-medium level of
algae, a pleco is the 'industrial strength' algae eater. Many plecos do
not reach mammoth sizes (although a 22" sailfin Gibbiceps is a beautiful
fish, - but when it moves, it wipes out all but the strongest plants).
Check out what is available in your area, or consider buying on-line.
I've found the bristlenose plecs have a good appetite, and stay
relatively small. Provide them with a garage (dark rock shelter just for
him) and some driftwood (many plecs need to munch on wood to keep their
gut healthy). hth

NetMax

[Robert Flory]

"sexandcheerios" > wrote in message
...
> I've started a little algae garden (not intentionaly) in my 55g tank since
> I've added the new lighting system (3 4' F32T8/Excella bulbs). Most of the
> posters on this ng rave about SAEs so I thought I might get a few of them
> but then the guy at the LFS (petsmart) tells me that they don't do that
> much. I asked about SAEs vs. Otos vs. other options and he said that none
> of them really do any good and to either pinch off the leaves (the algae
is
> mostly on my plants) and discard them or shorten the duration of the light
> (cut it back from 12 hours to 8). Who to believe??? I've also heard that
> SAEs, Otos, etc. will only eat certain types of algae so I've posted a few
> pics of it on alt.binaries.aquaria. Can anyone give me some personal
> experiences with Otos or SAEs? Will they eat this type of algae? Is it
true
> that SAEs eventually quit eating algae and become little terrors? The tank
> is stocked with platys, tetras, danios, cory cats, etc.. Any help with
this
> would be appreciated!
>

Different things work for different folks. My rubber noses and ottos deal
with every thing except BBA. Ameca Splendens (sp?) have a good rep. I'm
looking for a pair.

Bob