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  1. #1
    Members wh33t's Avatar
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    Algae eaters (Gyrinocheilidae)?

    Would it be a good idea to keep some of these babies in the aquarium to help manage algae build up? Am I correct in thinking they would just poop out stuff that could then be digested by the bacteria as well? Surely this has been asked before but I couldn't find any direct answers.
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    11 Gold Fish
    Aquarium = Custom 90 Gallon Raised Pond on casters
    Flower bed = Custom 4' x 8' Flood Table (Bell Siphon)
    Bio Filter = 6 Gallon Polypropylene Tote with Hydroton (Bell Siphon)

  2. #2
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
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    Re: Algae eaters (Gyrinocheilidae)?

    Yes, the bacteria will break down their waste products as well.

  3. #3
    Members wh33t's Avatar
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    Re: Algae eaters (Gyrinocheilidae)?

    So why doesn't everyone rock out with Algae eaters? That seems much easier than light proofing everything, plus you get more bio-diversity, isn't that the name of the game? I was thinking about getting some kind of fish animal that eats solid fish waste. I guess that would be worms eh? lol.
    Current Aquaponics System


    11 Gold Fish
    Aquarium = Custom 90 Gallon Raised Pond on casters
    Flower bed = Custom 4' x 8' Flood Table (Bell Siphon)
    Bio Filter = 6 Gallon Polypropylene Tote with Hydroton (Bell Siphon)

  4. #4
    Moderator JCO's Avatar
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    Re: Algae eaters (Gyrinocheilidae)?

    Algae eaters eat algae that is growing on things, not suspended in the water itself which is one of the problems that light creates in addition to growing it on everything in sight.
    JCO
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  5. #5
    Members wh33t's Avatar
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    Re: Algae eaters (Gyrinocheilidae)?

    Quote Originally Posted by JCO
    Algae eaters eat algae that is growing on things, not suspended in the water itself which is one of the problems that light creates in addition to growing it on everything in sight.
    Why is that a problem? Does the algae attach to roots or something?
    Current Aquaponics System


    11 Gold Fish
    Aquarium = Custom 90 Gallon Raised Pond on casters
    Flower bed = Custom 4' x 8' Flood Table (Bell Siphon)
    Bio Filter = 6 Gallon Polypropylene Tote with Hydroton (Bell Siphon)

  6. #6
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    Re: Algae eaters (Gyrinocheilidae)?

    the algae uses the nutrients that you want your plants to use, as well as oxygen that you want the fish to use
    it can also affect the ph

  7. #7
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    Re: Algae eaters (Gyrinocheilidae)?

    the chinese algae eaters are inferior to some of the plecostomas as algae eaters. as they get older they are less and less interested in algae. the best pleco i know is the red sailfin pleco. but as jco said the algae utilizes the nutrients in the water that would better used by your crops. fresh water clams will filter suspended algae out of the water, but it is best not to creat the problem in the first place.

  8. #8
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
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    Re: Algae eaters (Gyrinocheilidae)?

    Everything else that has been said is right on the money.

    Yes, algae will create oxygen during the day and consume it at night. Usually, people with algae and not enough dissolved oxygen in the water will notice the fish dead first thing in the morning before the algae get a chance to switch back into oxygen production.

    Blue Tilapia do like to eat suspended algae out of the water through their gills. Depending on your stocking density, that could be an option. Otherwise, just avoid the light hitting the water and you will be fine!

  9. #9
    Moderator jackalope's Avatar
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    Re: Algae eaters (Gyrinocheilidae)?

    My biggest problem with the Chinese Algae Eaters is that they will sometimes try to clean off the fish .... I've lost more than one fish to algae eaters clamping onto the side of a fish. They have many, many very small teeth with which to clean the algae off the plants and glass, and on the sides of fish, it creates a hole and the guts come out, killing your good fish. Admittedly, this was years ago when I bred and raised Platys, Swords, Mollies and such for resale, but I still won't have a Chinese Algae Eater in any of my tanks. Plecos, Corys, Gobies, clams, etc. yes, but no Chinese Algae Eaters!
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  10. #10
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: Algae eaters (Gyrinocheilidae)?

    For surface algae, nothing beats bristle nosed plecos. For suspened algae tilapia are king. For string algae no one else eats, try scuds.

    Forget CAE & SAE's. I've tried them. CAE's are agressive, SAE's grow too fast, then get agressive. Niether compares to juvenile BNP's.

    If you want to control algae, control the light.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

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