BN plecos and diatoms - amazing!

P

PDX-PLT

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Jan 8, 2007
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I've had a bad diatom problem ("brown algae") with my 90 gallon discus tank. Usually in a new tank it settles down after awhile, but I think with the heavy water changes in this tank to keep the discus healthy (20% per day), it is always present. I've heard from other discus keepers on well water who have the same issue. Microscopic examination confirmed that the brown stuff growing eveywhere was indeed diatoms and not some sort of mineral deposit.

The discus are getting over their juvie growth spurt and I've been wanting to convert the tank over from bare bottom to lightly-decorated, but that wasn't going to work with the brown crud over eveything.

A while back I noticed that one of the good LFS had an adult male BN for sale. They have some breeding pairs so they always have juvies, but this was the first good-sized one I've seen on sale. After spending some time in the QT tank I put him in the 90 gallon 2 days ago; 'hadn't cleaned the glass in awhile so the crud was pretty thick in parts.

This morning I couldn't believe it! In just a couple of days the only diatoms left are some slight traces; I'm sure he'll have that taken care of shortly. When I spot him during the day his belly looks pretty plump (he spends alot of the daytime in a hiding place I put in for him).

With this guy in the tank I've be able to docorate it!

Starting today I'll also have to start feeding him veggies, as the diatoms are getting scarce. :clap:

I heartily recommend BN's for dealing with any diatom problems.
 
If that's the case, mine are broken, on strike or have become carnivores as the algae in my tank hasn't changed one iota! Of course they could have more discerning palates . . .
 
I think it depends on the BN as an individual. I have my L144's and out of my short finned ones 1 likes em the other doesnt touch em. I know when Pterygoplichthys are small they will eat diatoms as well.
 
excuzzzeme said:
If that's the case, mine are broken, on strike or have become carnivores as the algae in my tank hasn't changed one iota! Of course they could have more discerning palates . . .
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Maybe they're like our barn cats: we know we've been feeding them too much when the mouse population skyrockets. :o
 
I'm leaning toward adding a BN to my discus tank too. All that discus slime sure promotes diatoms & soft green algae in my tank. Maybe I won't need to wipe the tank down as much, it'll all be concentrated into pleco poo instead. I think I'd have to quarantine for a really long time to feel safe though, still on the paranoia trip.
 
excuzzzeme said:
If that's the case, mine are broken, on strike or have become carnivores as the algae in my tank hasn't changed one iota! Of course they could have more discerning palates . . .
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I told you, I train all the BNs I send out to feed on human flesh. Just stick your hand in the tank, Ex....
 
fishorama said:
I'm leaning toward adding a BN to my discus tank too. All that discus slime sure promotes diatoms & soft green algae in my tank. Maybe I won't need to wipe the tank down as much, it'll all be concentrated into pleco poo instead. I think I'd have to quarantine for a really long time to feel safe though, still on the paranoia trip.
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By all means add one! I found that a BN pleco keeps the discus tank much cleaner even than otos. I always have diatoms in the discus tank because of the low lighting and high mineral content water. Glass cleaning is almost non-existent with a BN in there. I do huge water changes and quickly fly over the glass with a paper towel when the water level is down just to have more perfect viewing glass (yes anal about pretty glass, LOL). But if I didn't, there's no huge buildup of anything on them. Any kind of an algae that can be sucked will be eaten by them. But if you've got filamentous algae like thread or hair or something like that, don't expect a sucking fish to be able to eat that. That's for the chewers like the SAE's.:D
 
pinkertd said:
By all means add one! I found that a BN pleco keeps the discus tank much cleaner even than otos. I always have diatoms in the discus tank because of the low lighting and high mineral content water. Glass cleaning is almost non-existent with a BN in there. I do huge water changes and quickly fly over the glass with a paper towel when the water level is down just to have more perfect viewing glass (yes anal about pretty glass, LOL). But if I didn't, there's no huge buildup of anything on them. Any kind of an algae that can be sucked will be eaten by them. But if you've got filamentous algae like thread or hair or something like that, don't expect a sucking fish to be able to eat that. That's for the chewers like the SAE's.:D
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Naw, just the wipeable algae/diatoms. What size is a safe minimum for a BN with almost adult discus, oto-size? I usually prefer young fish & I don't want to scare the discus wimps. My male in another tanks kinds swims in jerky tail swatting motions to fend off loaches I think.
 
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