Balanced Cleanup Crew

1344 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Guns286, Oct 20, 2009

NJAquaBarren

Discussion Starter · Oct 18, 2009 (Edited)

Hi Folks,

This is one of those questions that 100 people will answer in 100 ways.

I currently have in my open top 85g tank, 5 otos ( i think, never see more than 3 at a time ) and 5 Chain Loaches. Overall the tank is in decent shape, but there is green algae growing on the glass - much in parts that are hard to reach. Plants have some BBA too, but not much yet. There are some MTS in the tank, but the Chain Loaches have kept their numbers low.

Thought I'd get more expert recommendations on cleanup crew.

I expect to add 5 more Otos as soon as I can get to the store.

What would you add to make the "perfect", balanced cleanup crew.

Current occupants:
2 4" angels
1 male beta (who is doing well)
6 Rummynose
6 Cardinal tetras
7 Threadfin Rainbows
5 (or 3 Otos)
5 Chain Loaches.
8 Praecox Rainbows due in this week.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Church

· #2 · Oct 18, 2009

Shrimp, shrimp, and more shrimp.

Guns286

· #3 · Oct 18, 2009

Amano shrimp are the way to go, if you can find them. Also, you can get some Nerite snails, as long as you dont mind cleaning up the eggs they leave ALL OVER the place (dont worry, they need SW to hatch).

Church

· #4 · Oct 18, 2009

^ I was going to recommend those as well until I went back up there and read that the OP has a chain loach.

Might be some expensive loach food.

Guns286

· #5 · Oct 18, 2009

Oops. Did'nt read that.

bradac56

· #6 · Oct 19, 2009

+1 on the Nerite snails there great and they produce less poop than the others.

- Brad

Scottso

· #7 · Oct 19, 2009

Definitely amano shrimp. I have a "metric ton" and I can see the spots they hang out in are almost completely clean of algae of any type.

Pleco's are great too. I have a big common in a 140 gallon tall and he works overtime on the glass. I'd say he keeps it about 80% clean by the time my weekly cleaning/pruning/water change day comes along and saves me a lot of time having to clean the glass. In an 85 gallon, you might be better off with a couple of the smaller varieties though, like the bristlenose.

I have 7 ottos in there, too, but honestly they don't seem to put much of an obvious dent in anything. They mostly hang out on my vals and rarely mess with the glass. They are eating well though because they have that big pot belly they are supposed to have and are doing great without any supplemental food. Maybe I should get some more.

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urbguy

· #8 · Oct 19, 2009

Guns286 said:
Amano shrimp are the way to go, if you can find them. Also, you can get some Nerite snails, as long as you dont mind cleaning up the eggs they leave ALL OVER the place (dont worry, they need SW to hatch).

i read somewhere that the amano shrimp also need some salty water for them to breed as well, is this true?

Centromochlus

· #9 · Oct 19, 2009

Amano shrimp are great algae eaters, but don't even bother if you have angels. I spent $40 on 15 of those little guys, and the next day they were all gone. (i have 2 angels in my 85g).

Get some corys maybe? Bristlenose plecos?

Guns286

· #10 · Oct 19, 2009

urbguy said:
i read somewhere that the amano shrimp also need some salty water for them to breed as well, is this true?

Yea, they need salty water. Which, IMO, is a plus. Unless you're looking to breed. A friend of mine, somehow, got them to breed in FW but I think he lied and it was brackish :hihi:

Church

· #11 · Oct 19, 2009

^ No it's just that there is another species of shrimp that is somewhat common in the hobby in certain areas of the world, and is misrepresented as amano shrimp. It's well documented. Google it up.

NJAquaBarren

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 19, 2009

I think the Angels are on their way out and more Rainbows on the way in - mostly smaller varieties. Will CRS, or RCS be OK? Amanos are out as my tank is uncovered and they have a reputation for leaping out. The Girls and mom couldn't handle a shrimp on the ground - dead or alive - but alive would cause a panic.

AB

bigboij

· #13 · Oct 19, 2009

^^ never had a prob with amanos jumping on my tank and its been open for months 7 in my 20h

Philosophos

· #14 · Oct 19, 2009

NJAquaBarren said:
I think the Angels are on their way out and more Rainbows on the way in - mostly smaller varieties. Will CRS, or RCS be OK? Amanos are out as my tank is uncovered and they have a reputation for leaping out. The Girls and mom couldn't handle a shrimp on the ground - dead or alive - but alive would cause a panic.

AB

Any shrimp you add will turn into fish food because of your dwarf chain loach.

-Philosophos

gheitman

· #15 · Oct 19, 2009

I would suggest adding one or more bristlenose plecos, rubberlip plecos or dwarf pitbull plecos. All are great algae eaters and get along fine with other fish.

Not all loaches have problems getting along with shrimp. I have Amano shrimp in the same tank as a pair of zebra loaches and none have mysteriously disappeared.

Guns286

· #16 · Oct 20, 2009

bigboij said:
^^ never had a prob with amanos jumping on my tank and its been open for months 7 in my 20h

I've been told that it has to do with them being comfortable in the tank. If its barren, with no place to hide or molt, they want out. Also, when they are first added to a tank. But once they're happy and used to it, they're good to go. But, if they do get out, they run as quick as roaches! :drool:

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

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