4 replies to this topic

[Jrm2157]

Does anyone have any recommendations for native fish or inverts for algae control. I know that there is no true algae eliminator but just looking for suggestions.

Im also willing to take suggestions on uv sterilizers if anyone has any or even non native algae eaters.

I currently have 125 gallon native tank with lots of darters, sunfish, and a stonecat.

Any and all help would be appreciated!

[Michael Wolfe]

Live plants and snails are the best.  That is attacking both the prevention and removal aspects.  

 

I am also a fan of deep, natural substrate both for the plants and for the rest of the microbiome it provides.

[Jrm2157]

I have some Val in there along with some dwarf sag. I could try to add some more plants although I do have a lot of rock in there as well. I tried to make it as close to a riffle feel as possible. Lots of current and lots of rock.

As far as my substrate its 2-3 inches of soil capped with 2-3 inches of sand.

[Lucania200]

I would highly recommend stonerollers. From my experience, they act as both an algae-eater, and a detritivore to clean-up any dead leaves your plants produce. And, they should be robust enough to handle the sunfish, and would love the current. I would put a school of them in there.

[swampfish]

I agree with Michael Wolfe. You mention lots of darters in the tank. You may have too heavy of a fish load, in other words too much fish poo, for your system. Live plants outcompete the algae for nutrients, probably primarily nitrogen. However, if too much nitrogen is being added to the system by the fish, then that nitrogen is hard to overcome. Another possibility is that you are overfeeding the fish, a common situation with darter keepers.  Directing food to individual fish with a baster, tongs, or other method can reduce food waste.

 

Phil Nixon