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RE: [APD] algae eating fish




-----Original Message-----
From: aquatic-plants-bounces at actwin_com
[mailto:aquatic-plants-bounces at actwin_com]On Behalf Of Jon Cooper
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 9:38 PM
To: Aquatic-Plants at actwin_ com
Subject: [APD] algae eating fish


I was able to find some stray threads in the archives dealing with this fish
or that fish, but no comparison between them....so.....

I'm in need of some good algae eating fish.  I re-did my 29gal about 5 weeks
ago [see end of post for details].  It obviously hasn't settled out quite
yet, and i'm still getting a new type of algae every week.  The tank is
populated by 9 neons, and a few small loaches.  i've got 3 otto's that since
the move only seem to like the underside of my driftwood, and almost totally
ignore the glass or plants.  I used to have an SAE, but he didn't survive
the move to the new tank, and he never seemed to eat much algae anyway (i
think he was too big).

Last night I added 1 black mollie after pouring over the archives trying to
find a solution to my algae problem, and man is that thing amazing.  All he?
does all day is eat algae and poop.  i would have got more, but he was the
last one in town.

I see references on the list to people using SAE's, Black Mollies,
Swordtails and Flag fish for algae control.  Which are the best in people
experience, or do they just have appetites for different flavors of algae?
Are all mollies equal in their algae eating or are black ones better?

Since this is my first semi-serious attempt at a planted tank i know i'm
making all the mistakes possible along the way, and likely creating most of
my own problems with algae.  I'm not looking for an algae free tank, just
one where it is under control. (I really like the look of it on the
driftwood in the tank)

Also on a different note, my dosing of flourish is so far by the recommended
weekly amounts on the bottle, except i'm spreading it out thru the week and
dosing every couple days.  I've heard a lot of references on this list to
Tom's dosing suggestions, but so far I've been unable to find any master set
of guidelines, except the pieces that end up in specific replies to posts.
If someone could point me in the right direction, it'd be much appreciated.

cheers
/jon


Otto's are a very excellent algae eating fish however due to their small
size you will need a lot more than 3 to make any type of difference. SAE's
(the true form not the Flying Fox) is also very good when they are small.
They quickly learn to ignore algae and eat the flake food that is provided
on a daily basis. Some LFS will take back your larger SAE's in trade for
smaller one's. From my experience for green algae you simply cannot beat a
Pleco. A nice Bristlenose or two which will not grown to large will keep the
tank nice and clean. I have Mollies and in my case they don't seem to do
much algae eating and BTW they do not eat "poop".

Rick


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