algae eater for low pH tank

[illumbomb]

Hi All,

I have a small tank of pH of around 4 to 4.5, could anyone suggest any suitable small size algae eater (in particular, brown algae although if you have suggestion of suitable fauna for controlling other types of algae, do recommend too) for such low pH conditions?

I used to rely on nerite snails which have done a fantastic job but since someone warned me of the adversed effects of acidicity conditions on the shell of the snails, I have removed them. Will low pH have adversed effects on the shell of the algae eating shrimps too?

Another small size algae eater I liked is Otocinclus but a search through the internet did not reveal that Otocinclus is suitable for such low pH (most websites stated pH of beween 5.5 to .

Many thanks.

Regards,
T S Wang

[Jungle-mania]

pH of 5 is still good for it, 4.5 for a low pH tank is really low, are you keeping crypts?

[illumbomb]

I have a few low pH tanks in fact, a larger one for keeping emersed cryptocoryne, a small one for keeping semi-submersed cryptocoryne and a small one for rearing some Parosphromenus rubrimontis with chocolate gouramis and Boraras maculatus.

[illumbomb]

No suggestions? Looks like this will be a inherent problem for a low pH tank......

[torque6]

No suggestions? Looks like this will be a inherent problem for a low pH tank......

Believe you were refering to my post on low PH affecting corrosion of nerite snails shells.

Its either try a no algae setup, which is possible or ottos, but you have to deal with the high mortality rate.

[morikeeper]

Nice info...

[Hipknoteyes]

I not an expert on crypts, so I'm not sure if it is intentional that your Ph is so low - if it is not then you could add a handful of coral gravel to the tank (preferable in with the filter media) this should raise the Ph for you.

[illumbomb]

Hi,

I intentionally lowered the pH to < 4.5 to keep some of the more uncommon cryptocorynes found in acidic swampy areas in the nature.

[illumbomb]

ok, I have bought an oto and intoduced it into my low pH tanks for about 1 week already. So far so good, the oto has helped to clear all the brown algae in one tank and is now helping out in the other, I think I found my answer......