How can I get rid of the green algea in my freshwater fish tank? What kind of an algea eater is right?

Answer 1

Well, most algae eaters won't really keep a tank free of algae. Many types of algae won't be touched at all, and most other types will just be nibbled.
Anyway, you should fiirst confirm which type of algae it is. Is it hair algae? This looks like long green hairs / strings of algae. If so, there are some shrimp that will eat it, such as amano shrimp, as well as siamese algae eaters. However, you'll need a minimum of 40 gallons to have a group of algae eaters.

It could also be black beard algae, which looks like dark green / reddish fuzzy patches of algae. Pretty much nothing will eat this stuff.

It could just be plain ol green algae, which grows in a bright green layer over everything. Algae eaters (shrimp, plecos, etc) will nibble at this stuff but won't clean it completely.

Lastly, it could be green water, which is a single-celled algae that will not be eaten by any algae eater.

Anyway, I suggest you avoid the algae eaters. Most grow to be very big. If your tank is 40 gallons or larger, you could get a bristle-nosed pleco or a few siamese algae eaters. If it's smaller, you'll have to stick with shrimp.

Either way, you should target the cause of the algae. Other than water, algae needs 2 elements to thrive: light and nutrients.

Starting with light: is your light on for too long? Your tank light should be on for about 10 or 11 hours per day. Any more than that, and you're just feeding the algae problem; invest in a 5$ timer which will control your photoperiod. Is your tank near a window? Algae LOVES sunlight. If so, move the tank, or cover the side of the tank near the window.

The other cause is excess nutrients. Do your fertilize? If so, decrease fertilization because over fertilizing can increase algae populations. Do you overfeed? Despite their big appetites, fish have very small stomachs. Only feed what they can eat in 30 seconds, twice a day. Is your tank overstocked? Too many fish = too much ammonia / nitrites / nitrates that the tank can handle, resulting in excess nutrients in the water. You'll have to look up each fish individually to ensure that you have enough space for your fish.


In the meantime, you should just manually remove your algae with an algae sponge or an algae scraper.

Avoid using chemicals to kill algae - they will also hurt your fish and your biological filtration system.

Answer 2

Well, it depends on what is causing the algae. More water changes and less feeding should do it in order to reduce the nitrate that may be building up in your tank.. You may also want to reduce the lighting if it is in a sunny spot. If these don’t work, it may be due to too much phosphate. Check your tap water to see if it has phosphate in it. If it does, then you will need to pick up a phosphate reducer form your local pet store.

Because algae is caused by certain factors, algae eaters won’t solve your problem. But if you want an algae eater, I would go with a small species of pleco. Stay away from Chinese algae eaters. When they get older, they won’t eat algae unless they are starving.

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I hope this helps!

Answer 3

Cory cats do not eat algae. I learned this lesson the hard way after killing several of them.

The best way to control it is to get a glass cleaner and clean the glass along with your regular maintenance. Also, cut back on the lighting. Lighting is what encourages the algae growth.

There are some additives that you can buy but please try to control it without adding chemicals. The less chemicals in the water the healther the fish.

A good place to look for info on the internet is www.fishgeeks.com

Answer 4

My favorite algae eater is the algae scraper. These come in a variety of different species, from squeegees to magnets to sponges, they all work great.

Seriously, you should not get a fish just to eat algae. Excessive algae is usually caused by poor water quality from overfeeding and/or too many fish. Regular water changes and a tank that is not overstocked is the best way to control algae.

Answer 5

I have an Otto (otocinclus) and used to have a Cory (corydora).. The Cory seemed like he did a real good job, but my otto does good too. Also, catfish breeds do a good job with cleaning. Any kind of a "suckerfish" will do a good job cleaning your tank. Also, maintain your 15-20% water changes once a week to once a month to keep down on algae.

Answer 6

eee don't get a common plec! they grow massive and poop a lot, adding to maintenance problems and not solving them.

i agree with the others, invest in a trusty algae scraper. if it's the hard green stuff, algae eating fish won't touch it anyway, they prefer softer algae, like brown algae. my otos don't touch tougher green algae.

Answer 7

I had that problem in one of my tanks with mostly brown algae until I added a couple of plecostomuses. Of course, they are no substitute for regular tank maintenance. There may be algae that the plecos cannot reach, or of a type they won't eat. So for that, you would need to mechanically remove the algae, either with a scraper or by reaching inside with a cloth.

Plus don't leave your tank lights on all the time.

Answer 8

There are a number of options for controlling algae in yout tank.

Snails are good, as long as you watch their numbers, as they can breed in the tank.

The common Pleco is another option as it tends to be good in a community tank.

Also, consider the location of your tank. If you have it near a window where it's getting direct sunlight part of the day, you may want to move it to slow down algal growth.

Good luck.

Answer 9

buy a algea eater ankind will do just make sure it isn't too big for your tank

Answer 10

Get a Picostimus. I know that I mispelled this 'cause I've never seen it spelled, but it is close phonetically. They look a bit like a sucker fish & their mouth is always stuck to the inside of the acquarium.