Freshwater CUC?

[24/7ReeFTime]

So I’ve met a few reefers here with some planted tanks. I have a 10g small planted tank. I’ve noticed that algae is growing quickly on my glass. Any suggestions?

 

[Humblefish]

Chinese Algae Eater: https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/1564/?pcatid=1564

Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus Oblongus) is even better, but more difficult to find.

But you'll need to supplement it's diet (with algae wafers) once it has cleaned up the tank, and also rehome once the fish gets too big.

IME; snails just don't cut it.

 

[Humblefish]

A tiny Plecostomus would be even more effective, but will outgrow a 10 gallon in no time. IME; Chinese Algae Eaters grow more slowly.

 

[Indytraveler83]

I just bought some amano shrimp, and I use a selection of turbo snails.

If you want a fish the flying fox (looks almost like a Chinese algae eater) is not only a very active CuC member, but also loves living among the plants.

 

[Bryce M.]

I'd just stick to snails in my opinion, but my planted has a betta that will kill anything else

 

[Greg P]

Though harder to keep, Otocinclus are great algae eaters and you could have a small herd even in a small tank.
They stay small and go everywhere

Or just get a good glass cleaner. I like my Tunze glass care magnetic one

 

[fermentedhiker]

Nerites beat any fish.

 

[John Neuzil]

The liquid carbon substitute Excel has been found to be very effective on controlling algae. And it's good for your plants.

 

[AdamNC]

I got one of these in my 29 gallon planted tank. They only get about 3-4 inches.

Rubber Nosed Pleco

 

[Auquanut]

Bristle nose pleco's are great, but will eventually outgrow your tank. Rubber nose pleco's are much more sensitive to higher nitrates in my opinion, but don't get as big. If you're not injecting CO2, Excel helps with algae growth (especially black beard algae) and is beneficial to the growth of the plants. I use it in all of my low tech planted tanks. I would second the suggestion of introducing 2 or 3 nerite snails. They can't reproduce in fresh water, and do a pretty good job cleaning things up. The only down side is that they WILL lay eggs that tend to solidify over time, and are noticable in the tank.

 

[Hermie]

albino bristlenose pleco will not outgrow tank, they get 5 inches at most