Removing Algae From Leaves

[William BeardParticipant]

I have some stem plants and crypt that I have noticed as starting to grow some algae on their leaves. They are in a tank that would not be shrimp friendly. So what are the best options for a fish/critter that would be able to remove the algae with you damaging the plants?

[AlexParticipant]

Bristlenose Plecos are easy to get with a wide variety of types, and they eat algae, or maybe you can try hillstream loaches , only if the tank is cooler temp.

Roses are red,
Violets are purple,
Or are they blue?
Either way,
I love my fish,
and so should you!
🐟🐟😊😊🐟🐟

[Jae Ren YeeParticipant]

Most algae eaters grow big, (at least the ones I am picturing right now in my mind),  but I prefer Octocinclus, or like Alex said, bristlenose plecos. Ottos are more peaceful, and are even shrimp friendly, (even with babies). At least that’s what everyone else says. (Not sure about the last part)

[AlexParticipant]

I have hear stories of ottos taking down fish and killing them. I have never had them but  it is not because of that story, which I don’t believe. Anyone want to support this to disprove of it, you go right head because I know very little of the ottocinclus fish.  And now that I think of it, I have baby lemon blue-eyed Plecos at one centimeter in length, if you (William) want any (parents won’t stop breeding).

Roses are red,
Violets are purple,
Or are they blue?
Either way,
I love my fish,
and so should you!
🐟🐟😊😊🐟🐟

[Ryan YoungModerator]

Best option is to just rub the algae off the leafs with your fingers. all animal solutions are inconsistent.

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[Jae Ren YeeParticipant]

• Answer to the octocinclus question, they are very peaceful and probably wouldn’t hurt a fly (Is there such thing as an underwater fly?)
• And are your lemon eyed plecos albino? Just wondering, but not sure if I could buy anyways

[Jae Ren YeeParticipant]

Oh, I think I know the answer to the last question I asked…… 😉

[Jeremy Caswell]

Otos are peaceful grazers… they are about the only thing that swims that will not eat eggs or fry.

Just get a $3 cheap timer from walmart and set the lights to work from 6am to 10am and 4pm to 10 pm.  It clears up most algae

[William BeardParticipant]

I have been planning to get Otis, but haven’t found any good looking ones. All of the lights are already on timers. Did that pretty early on since my wife and I will some times be gone for a day or two visiting family out of state.

[WilliamBowmanParticipant]

I think you should cut off the leaves where the algae appear

[AlexParticipant]

Another thing, I am surprised that I forgot, but you can use a hydrogen peroxide baths- one to two minutes- and the algae will die but not the plants. But once the container is opened, the  compound will start to break down into another form, so make sure our have the appropriate sized bottle for the algae, as to not waste it.

Roses are red,
Violets are purple,
Or are they blue?
Either way,
I love my fish,
and so should you!
🐟🐟😊😊🐟🐟

[CParticipant]

I don’t think it’ll be a solution many like, but you might consider purposefully cultivating duckweed on the tank surface. It absorbs a little light and takes up a lot of the excess nutrients that algae thrives on. My tanks are now totally algae-free, and that’s after having tried amano shrimp, nerite snails, CO2 injection, and otos. Yep, duckweed… It’s a massive pain and it gets everywhere when you clean the tank, but worth consideration.

 

And, depending on the plants you buy, maybe you get it without a choice! Other floater plants probably work as well, but duckweed is basically guaranteed to take over.

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