Gail, Jim, Geezer, and Happy,

Thank you for your help. I have a few follow-up questions below, if
anyone is willing to field them. I have been reading and asking
questions at the LFS when I can get there, but there is a lot to learn.


Gail Futoran wrote:

And you're probably overstocked. Any chance of taking the
babies to the LFS (local fish store)?

Overstocked for the size of the tank or just because it is still
cycling? (4 weeks, 10 gallons, 2 Corys, 2 Platys, 4 baby Platys) By
the inch-per-gallon rule, I should be able to go up to 10" of fish--I am
only at 5". Or, according to Dick Mills in the book "You and Your
Aquarium", tropical freshwater fish need 12 sq.in. of surface per inch
of fish, which would mean that my 10"x20" tank could actually hold up to
16" of fish.


Otocinclus.
http://www.petresources.net/fish/catfish/oto_aff.html

Well, they won't eat all kinds of algae, but some that grows
on my decorations I like because it softens the look of the
decoration and it helps consume nitrates.

Do you know if Otocinclus will they eat the algae that is growing on
some of the gravel? The web page you referenced says "groups of at
least 3". Will a single one be lonely or with the Corys be enough to
keep it company?


Jim Morcombe wrote:

I'd recommend a Bristlenose.

Geezer From The Freezer wrote:

What about an apple snail

I'll look into these, as well as the Otocinclus. The choice will depend
on availability at the LFS, size (small--to possibly allow me to add a
couple more fish--see question above), and need for more than one
(ditto).

Will any of these choices eat the algae from the gravel, or just from
the walls and castle?


Happy'Cam'per wrote:

If you don't have any live plants in the tank anymore then cut your light
cycle down to 5-6 hours. NO more algae.

I'll cut it back tonight. I'll still have to clean out the existing
algae, though. I assume that it won't die and float away to the filter
on its own.

Dave