Clown Pleco with Dwarf Puffers?

[bartonct]

Hi, I have a question...i wanna get a clown pleco for my dwarf puffer tank to help out with algae...would this be ok for the pleco? My dwarf puffers dont seem to mind other tankmates...I have 4 ottos in the tank as well as ghost shrimp and the puffers completely ignore them

[pufferpuggirl]

I had a plec in with my dwarf puffers when they were in a smaller tank, and for the most part, they did leave it alone. I can't tell you they didn't have a nip once in a while, but they did not harass it and they did not remove any of it's fins. Actually it was only when the plec got into the bloodworms at feeding time that they seemed bothered. But I would say you're probably going to be all right.

[lobowind]

I have kept clown plecos with dwarf puffers and did not have any problems. Just a thought, though. If you are wanting help with the algae, a bristlenose pleco may do more work on it than the clowns.

[bartonct]

How big do bristlenoses get? And could it work in a 29 Gallon tank?

[snarferer]

ottos are really the most efficient algae eaters. Clown Plecos are really cool fish, but aren't quite the cleanup crew of your aquarium as many (mostly your LFS) would like you to believe. Plecos in general and clown plecos specifically tend to eat less algae then you'd desire, and add way too much waste to your tank than is worth it. Is the algae on the glass? That seems to be the one deficiency with ottos. Adding something like a morimo ball will use up the algae's nutrients. (they're cool too, they move around the tank to find the best spot)
Some algae-control questions:
Brown or green algae?
Are you overfeeding/over stocking?
What is your waterchange regimen?
How big is your tank?
Does your tank get a lot of direct sunlight?
What is your temp?
How long are your lights on/what kind of lights do you have?

With the answers to those questions I can have you never worry about algae again!

[bartonct]

Brown or green algae?
I have brush algae growing on the glass, some of the plants, and my rocks on the bottom
Are you overfeeding/over stocking?
No, I only feed my fish and shrimp every other day and they consume whatever I put in there
What is your waterchange regimen?
I do a 50% water change every week
How big is your tank?
Its a 29 Gallon Bowfront
Does your tank get a lot of direct sunlight?
No it's near a window but it doesn't get direct sunlight
What is your temp?
Usually around 79
How long are your lights on/what kind of lights do you have?
I have them timed for 10:00am to 8:00pm

[lobowind]

How big do bristlenoses get? And could it work in a 29 Gallon tank?

I have albino bristlenose, and they get 5-6". They did a really great job with algae on the glass. They should be fine in your tank.

[bartonct]

but will bristlenoses eat brush algae? cause i have a bunch of it and its hard to get off the glass

[snarferer]

4 ottos in a 29g might seem like a lot, but they don't really eat much. If you toss a few more in there (total max of they should cut down your algae. You may have to "cull" one or two once things are under control. You seem to have your setup under control, I would see about shortening the lights on your tank. Keep in mind that ottos eat algae OFF the plants and plecos eat the algae and the plants (typically) This is why professional aquascapers utilize the wonderful otto to keep their tanks free of algae. Something in your tank caused this algae bloom, we need to get to the bottom of it. Try extra ottos and if they don't work, more drastic measures might need to be taken. (UV sterilizer, NOT algae control chems, scaleless fish tend to die in the presence of algae-gone and the like)

[bartonct]

How do you use a UV sterilizer? What does it do exactly? And does it kill ALL algae?

[snarferer]

A UV sterilizer is an enclosed UV bulb that you pump water through. The light literally sterilizes your water. It will kill free floating algae, so if you decide to drop >100 bucks on one, make sure that you completely eradicate any algae that is attached to a surface. The UV sterilizer will take care of the rest. Using a UV sterilizer, however, is like applying a bandaid to a serious wound. It will keep algae from forming in your tank for the most part, but there is something disturbing about your algae problem. Couple of questions I forgot to ask. How many DP's do you have? What are your water parameters? (Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrire)

[bartonct]

I have 5 Dwarf Puffers and I havent checked the water parameters lately...ill check them tommorow when i'm at home but from when i was checking it alot i had 0ppm on Ammonia and Nitrite and very low Nitrate

[bartonct]

Do you think the problem could be my lighting? I have very strong lighting on the tank maybe thats the cause of the brush algae... its 130watts with both lights on but i only turn on one now so thats 65 watts

[snarferer]

That's the problem right there. Do you have a heavily planted tank? If you do, check out planted tank guides. CO2 typically helps algae issues. If not, you should sell your lighting on ebay or craigslist, and get a cheap strip for $10 at petsmart.

[roy.martin1982gsp]

I myself went for a bristlenose as they are hard workers and greedy for algae and have never had any problems the little fellow just goes about his buisiness