Aquarium Maintenance

Fish Aquariums and pH Level: Finding the Right pH and Testing Like a Pro

Did you know that the pH level in your fish aquarium is a crucial factor that affects the health and well-being of your aquatic pets? In this fun, informative, and vivid guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of pH levels and explore how to find the right balance for your finned friends. So, grab your lab coat and let’s embark on an exciting journey to becoming a pH-testing wizard!

Understanding pH: What is it, and why does it matter?

pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity in water, and it plays a vital role in the health of your fish. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, values below 7 indicating acidity, and values above 7 indicating alkalinity. Fish have specific pH requirements, and significant fluctuations or unsuitable pH levels can stress your fish, leading to illness and even death.

Finding the Right pH for Your Fish

Different fish species have varying pH preferences, so it’s essential to research the ideal pH range for your aquatic pets. For example, neon tetras prefer slightly acidic water with a pH of 6.0-6.5, while African cichlids thrive in alkaline water with a pH of 7.5-8.5. If you have a community tank with multiple species, aim for a pH range that suits the majority of your fish.

Testing Your Aquarium’s pH Level

Testing your aquarium’s pH level is a breeze with the right tools. Here are some popular methods to choose from:

Test strips: Simply dip a pH test strip into your aquarium water, wait for the specified time, and compare the color change to the chart provided.

Liquid test kits: These kits involve adding a few drops of a testing solution to a water sample and observing the resulting color change. Compare the color to the chart provided to determine the pH level.

Digital pH meters: These devices provide an instant pH reading when the probe is submerged in the water. While more expensive, digital pH meters offer increased accuracy and ease of use.

Whichever method you choose, test your aquarium’s pH regularly—at least once a week—to ensure it remains within the ideal range for your fish.

Adjusting Your Aquarium’s pH Level

If your aquarium’s pH is outside the desired range, you may need to take action to restore the balance. Here are some tips for adjusting your pH:

Increase pH: Add crushed coral, limestone, or commercially available pH-increasing products to raise the pH. Be cautious and make adjustments gradually to avoid stressing your fish.

Decrease pH: Use peat moss, driftwood, or pH-decreasing products to lower the pH. Again, make changes slowly and monitor the pH closely to ensure a smooth transition.

Remember, sudden and drastic changes in pH can be harmful to your fish. Always make adjustments gradually and monitor the pH to ensure a stable environment.

Maintaining a Stable pH Level

Preventing pH fluctuations is just as important as maintaining the right pH. Here are some tips to help you maintain a stable pH level in your aquarium:

Regular water changes: Perform weekly water changes to remove waste and excess minerals that can affect pH levels.

Monitor and maintain water hardness: Water hardness affects the stability of pH, so test your water hardness regularly and make adjustments as needed.

Use a buffering substrate: Certain substrates, like crushed coral or aragonite, can help buffer the pH and maintain stability.

Maintaining the right pH level in your fish aquarium is crucial for the health and happiness of your aquatic pets. By understanding the importance of pH, finding the right balance for your fish species, testing regularly, and taking steps to maintain stability, you’ll create a thriving environment for your underwater friends. So, roll up your sleeves, test that pH, and enjoy the satisfaction of providing your fish with the perfect aquatic home. With your newfound pH-testing prowess, you’ll be the envy of fishkeepers far and wide. Happy testing!

8 Easy Steps to Start a Healthy Reef Tank

by James Book

Starting a reef tank usually scares a lot of people. Sometimes, people think it’s easy to find “Nemo” but it’s hard to take a little piece of the ocean home for him to swim in. While setting up reef tanks could be quite meticulous at times, it could be made a lot easier if you know what to look for and what to do. Need help? Then here it is, the 8 easy steps to start a healthy reef tank!

1. Research

Research! Research! Research! People say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In any hobby, starting out by researching the ins and outs before starting out is, indeed, a wonderful first step.

Since this is the first, and probably the most important step, it’s extremely crucial to know that before you dive in the colorful and world of reef keeping, you must first gather all of the knowledge you could gather before starting out. In this step, you should be able to have at least a general idea about the reef keeping hobby. Specifically speaking, you must be able to have an idea which fishes and corals to keep, how big of a tank, the nitrogen cycle, basic filtration and what not.

This step may be accomplished by reading books, magazines, online articles and joining various social groups over the internet to be able to intercept as much knowledge and ideas as you can. Just remember that there will always be room for new things to learn and a little help. Also, by reading this article, it’s safe to assume that, at the very least, you’ve taken your first step! In other words, in any battle, preparation is always the key!

Lastly, take note that you will be constantly coming back to this step countless times in the entire process of reef keeping.

2. Picking your Aquarium

Now that you’ve done your homework on the general principles of reef keeping, it’s time to pick your aquarium. For starters, I would recommend something not bigger than 50 gallons. Although some would argue that bigger is always better, such is not always the case. The bigger the tank, the higher the overhead expense and the more maintenance it would entail and such tasks could be daunting to someone who’s just getting their foot in reef keeping.

In picking your aquarium, make sure the size suits the fish and corals you are planning to keep. Furthermore, you have to make sure that it fits perfectly to the area of the house you would want to place it.

The dimensions of the tank matter as well. Some corals and fish dwell on different levels of the water with preference to varying amount of water movement. Having different levels to a tank through making the total height a bit higher would help achieve this but it would also make siphoning dirt from the bottom a bit harder. You should keep all of these into consideration and let them factor in upon deciding which tank to get.

Ultimately, the size and orientation of the tank will limit which species you could keep. Other than deciding which fish fits a tank, I would suggest that you work the other way around and have an idea which species you would like to keep then tailor fit a tank that would best suit them. Another good choice are tanks with built-in filtration systems or “All in One” (AIO) tanks.

3. Filtration System

One of the most integral part of the fish keeping hobby is a proper and efficient filtration system. For this part, although some external filters could help, the most common filtration system we prefer is the SUMP filter. This allows countless modifications and enough space for different types of filtration media. You could even assign a chamber for your protein skimmer so that it would not be placed anywhere within the tank itself.

In setting up a filtration system, make sure it moves at least 300% of the total aquarium water volume per hour. If you have a 50-gallon tank, the filtration system should be able to accommodate 150 gallons per hour. What this means is that the tank’s entire water volume can circulate and pass through the filtration system at least 3 times ever hour. This helps the filtration media treat any impurities on your water which in turn makes it efficient in what it does.

4. Accessories

While there will be essential accessories for every reef tank, in this section we will cover everything that you may or may not need. We will be dividing this section into a few sub-section so that you will find it easier to learn about each product. It would be very helpful if you could source these products first before setting up your tank. Having these products at hand upon set-up could make the process infinitely easier.

a) Aquarium Light

In reef keeping, lighting is very essential. There is a specific spectrum of light that helps fish and corals grow and display their vivid colorations. In picking the proper lighting equipment, make sure to take the depth of the tank in consideration as not all lighting products penetrate water the same way. Furthermore, different species of both fish and corals may need different lighting needs.

b) Wave Maker

Just like lighting, fish and corals prefer different water movement patterns. The wave maker, as it’s name suggests, mimics the movement of water, or waves, in your aquarium. There are fish and corals that prefer strong currents while there are some that prefer more to none. The placement of this accessory is also essential. You could place the wave maker near the species that prefer high current and place the others that doesn’t on parts where it does not flow directly.

c) Protein Skimmer

Also a staple, in not just reef tanks, but salt water tanks in general, protein skimmers remove impurities such as protein deposits from the surface of the water. Although there are protein skimmers that may be hanged from the tank, a better option is one that fits right in your SUMP or other filtration system. Having a protein skimmer right on a display tank may be unsightly at times, so it’s better to have it hidden somewhere near the filtration system. Lastly, make sure that the protein skimmer is rated for the size of your tank and the amount of live animals you would be keeping.

d) Water Test Kit

Testing your water often helps assure you that your water parameters are conducive to life. Reef animals are sometimes very picky with water parameters. Having a water test kit on hand will help you monitor the levels of important chemicals in your tank.

This would be very essential down the road when you are cycling your tank. It would help you gauge if your tank is ready for its residents!

e) Refractometer

Another essential tool in salt water fish keeping, the refractometer is a tool that measures the salinity, or amount of salt, in the water. Having a refractometer is very handy because some reef animals will not tolerate discrepancies in salinity levels. Whether you are mixing your own salt water or buying pre-mixed solutions, it’s always good to check if the salinity is within the range of what your animals would like.

f) Glass Cleaner

Due to intense lighting needs of reef animals, algae buildup is hard to control in salt water tanks. Having a glass cleaner cleanly tucked by your tank is a sure way to help you keep your glass clean and enjoy your wonderful piece of the sea,

g) Fish Net

The fish net is one of the most often used tool in any aquarium. Whether it’s moving fish or removing unwanted things from the tank, you will surely use your fish net frequently.

h) Water Siphon

Having a water siphon ready is always helpful for any reef keeper. This helps you suck water out of the tank especially during water changes. Regular water hoses work but an aquarium water siphon helps reduce the risk of spills, accidentally vacuuming sand and of course, drinking aquarium water!

i) Heater/Chiller

Lastly, depending where your are around the world and the types of animal you would want to keep, having a heater or chiller on hand is essential to your success as a reef keeper. Animals are very temperature sensitive and you have to provide them with the optimal living conditions for them to thrive.

5. Live Rocks/Sand

Although it is a possibility to opt for non-live rocks and/or substrates, having live rock and sand helps the reef a lot. First and foremost, having “live” rocks and sand helps the cycling (to be discussed in detail later) process to be faster allowing you to add fish and coral easier and safer. Furthermore, adding live rocks and sands, will introduce good bacteria and other chemicals to the water that would help make living conditions more suitable for reef animals.

However, in sourcing your live rocks and/or sand, you must always keep in mind, that the live rock and/or sand you are getting must be free of unwanted parasites and chemicals that could be harmful to our pets and our aquatic system in general. Hence, make sure your get them only from reputable retailers.

6. Water

What’s a fish without water? Water is just as crucial as the fish themselves. Now in keeping a reef tank, water need is not as simple. We need salt water. To be specific, we need water that matches the salinity needs of the animals we want to keep.

There are two ways to achieve this, one is buying a “salt mix” or a powdered product we mix with water to get “sea water” while the other is by buying pre-mixed salt water. Both ways are effective and have their very own pro’s and cons.

Mixing your own salt water helps you be more hands on and specific on your salinity. However, it will be hard to correct and if you make mistakes in the mixing process and make your salinity too high.

On the other hand, buying pre-mixed solution, provided they match the salinity that of what you want. If there are discrepancies with the salinity of the pre-mixed solution and the need of the animals, it might not be able to provide the right conditions for your pets to thrive in.

Either way, if done right, should be good for you and your pets. Again, I will reiterate the importance of your refractometer so that you could always check if the salinity levels are right.

7. Cycling your Tank

Now that the tank is ready, there is water and the filtration system is running, you are thinking that the only thing left to do is to add fish right? Wait just a little more! In this step, patience is the difference between success and failure.

Now what Is Water Cycling? Without going in too much details, Water Cycling is basically waiting for your entire aquarium system to mature so that it can support animal life. Ammonia, and Nitrite are byproducts of any organic waste and they are extremely deadly to both corals and fish. However, there are beneficial bacterias that converts the said byproducts to the less toxic Nitrate.

When we say “Cycling” and/or “Aquarium Maturity”, what this means is that we are able to have a good enough supply the said beneficial bacteria within primarily the biological medias of our filtration system to be able to convert such byproducts from the organic waste our fish will produce. In other words, prior to putting in fish, we need to “seed” our filters with a lot of beneficial bacteria. This could be done through either 2 ways. First is the natural cycling method, that could last for weeks or months, where we let nature run it’s course and let beneficial bacteria naturally propagate within our system. Secondly, we could seed our filtration system with products that contain live beneficial bacteria. These are ready made solutions that you just have to add to your water. This helps the cycling process go faster.

In this process, the end result must be zero Ammonia and Nitrite and below 40ppm Nitrate. Such readings is known as “pristine water parameters” to achieve this, the tank must first be fully cycled. To be able to monitor this properly, having a water parameter test kit would be very handy.

8. Fish and Corals

Now that all is in place, running smoothly and fully cycled, the most exciting and fulfilling part starts! It’s time to add fish and corals! After carefully selecting fish, corals and other animals that could co-exist that fits perfectly within your system, sourcing them and adding them to your tank should be a breeze.

Just make sure you properly acclimate and quarantine them (if not sure about the source) before setting them free in your tanks. You would want to make sure they slowly adjust to the temperature and parameters inside your tank to avoid any problems upon release.

Now just have your high quality food ready for feeding times, your siphon for scheduled water changes and your commitment to routine to fully enjoy the wonderful and colorful world of reef tank keeping!

How to Figure Out What Size of Fish Tank You Need

by James Book

You want to start your first home aquarium. Or, maybe you just want to try out some new tanks. No matter how or why you’re looking for an aquarium, the biggest consideration you’ll want to make is the size of your tank. Deciding the right size of fish tank is the best way to get your home aquarium started on the right foot. Getting a tank that’s too big or too small can lead to some major issues for your fish and live plants, if set it up the wrong way. So, let’s take a look at some factors that will help you decide what size fish tank you’ll need for your home aquarium.

Going Tiny: Considerations for Small Fish Tanks

Small fish tanks are a great way for newbies and families to get started with a home aquarium. Families in particular tend to choose small fish tanks to start out. And, there are many Benefits to Having an At-Home Aquarium for your Children. So having a small fish tank at home is a no-brainer. If you get a small fish tank, they can fit easily into small or compact spaces. Plus, they work well for taking care of smaller groups of fish. Less space, less fish, and less plants generally means less maintenance for you. But, smaller doesn’t necessarily mean better if you get a tank that’s small but overload it with too many fish or plants. Here are some things to think about when going small:

How Many Fish Will You be Adding to the Tank?: Fish need room to swim. So if you’re getting a smaller fish tank, don’t get too many fish. Overcrowding can cause some major environmental and social issues in your tank.
How Quickly Can Harmful Substances Build Up?: Smaller spaces mean a higher chance of ammonia buildup. This is because the filtration systems in smaller tanks aren’t always as good as larger tanks. So, if you have a small fish tank, you’ll want to make sure you keep an eye on these levels.
Should You Monitor Unstable Temperatures, Water pH, and Oxygen Levels?: Unstable temperatures, water pH, and oxygen levels are the number one reason why many fish die in a small fish tank, and it’s a big reason why many aquarium veterans actually discourage new fishkeepers from getting smaller tanks. Fish tanks that are smaller have less water. This means that unstable temperatures and fluctuating pH can happen quickly and be hard to regulate. For this reason alone, considering a larger sized tank can actually help prevent some of these issues.
How Easy or Hard is it to Clean?: It might seem like less fish and plants means less cleaning. But, it can actually be really hard to clean a small tank, especially if you have too many fish or plants in your tank and things constantly build up. So, if you do have a small tank, having only have a few fish and plants will help with dirt and debris issues.
How Much Space Do Your Fish Need to Swim?: When you go with a smaller fish tank, make sure you have enough space for the fish you keep to swim. This means adding less fish and picking types of fish that can thrive in a smaller environment.

With these considerations in mind, if you are looking at a smaller tank, don’t go any smaller than a tank under 5 gallons in size. This means avoiding fish bowls and mini-aquariums. A 20 to 30 gallon size fish tank is a great smaller size that can accommodate most fish and plants.

Living Large: Considerations for Large Fish Tanks

They say bigger is always better, but in some cases having a tank that’s too big might not actually be a great fit for your, your fish, and your fishkeeping goals. When it comes to choosing a large fish tank, consider how much you want to spend and how much space you have for the tank. These two factors are the most important considerations before you even buy a large tank. Here are some other things you’ll want to think about before buying a larger size aquarium.

How Many Fish Will You be Adding to the Tank?: Like adding fish to small tanks, you’ll want to consider how many fish you want to add. It’s completely possible to overcrowd a large tank. So, you want to make sure you have a good balance between too many and too few fish.
How Big are the Fish You’re Adding to the Tank?: Generally, with a big fish tank, you can add fish that are larger in size or can grow over time. Believe it or not, fish can actually outgrow a tank, so definitely think about how large your fish could grow before you add them.
What is the Water Temperature?: Do you want to add cold-water or tropical fish? If so, having a larger tank may be a better bet for certain types of fish.
How Much Surface Area Do You Need?: There’s a lot of formulas out there to help you calculate the surface area for your tank. Surface area is simply the amount of space per inch per fish that you will need. Most newbies to fishkeeping might not need to think about this, but if you’re getting a larger tank, you’ll want to keep it in mind.

Bigger tank sizes can vary, and you’ll want to choose one that fits in your house and can be easily maintained. A good starter large tank size is 55 to 75 gallons, but of course, can go higher as the tanks get larger. If you’re not sure a large tank is for you, chances are you’ll want to scale back to a smaller, easier to maintain tank.

Choosing the Size of Fish Tank You Need

Choosing the perfect size fish tank depends on a lot of different factors. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned fishkeeping pro, you’ll want to think about the type of fish and plants along with some of the tips we’ve mentioned here to decide the size of fish tank you need. Still not sure where to start? Check out this article from the San Antonio Express News on Finding Your First Aquarium. Business Insider also shares their tips on How to Create the Perfect Home Aquarium. These are both great resources to continue learning more about fish tank size and home aquarium basics.

Best Fish Tank Plants

by James Book

When you think of home aquariums, you probably think of the different kinds of fish for your tank. But, don’t forget about the different types of plants you can include in your tank too. Aquariums are an ecosystem of both fish and plants, and plants are a key part of any successful aquarium. Plants have a variety of uses. . They are spots for your fish to hide and feel safe. They’re good places for fish to lay eggs when they are breeding. And live plants are even used as a food source — both the plant itself and the algae that collects on them. So, having plants in your aquarium can be a very good thing. There are even self-cleaning aquariums available now that use fish poop to grow plants, proving that having plants and fish working together creates the perfect ecosystem.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some considerations you’ll want to think about before buying and adding plants to your home aquarium. And, we’ll check out the top 7 best fish tank plants that are perfect for beginners to fishkeeping, as well as for fishkeeping experts.

Things to Consider Before Buying Plants

Plants like fish require some care and maintenance when adding them to your aquarium. So, before you consider buying any plants, here are some things you’ll want to think about. Plants require light, nutrients, and C02, so you’ll want to make sure that your plants, along with your fish get plenty of light and nutrition. Plus, you’ll also want to do some regular maintenance on your plants. That means a bit of trimming and other care too. With this in mind, what do you do if you want plants but don’t want to spend too much time on caring for them? If this is the case, having artificial plants may be your best bet. They’ll make your tank look great and still provide the same types of benefits a live plant can without as much effort. Of course, it’s always good to add in live plants when you can. This article from the Times Online about the Benefits of Live Plants in a Home Aquarium will help you learn a bit more about why live plants are beneficial to a fish tank.

One other important note to think about when buying live plants for your aquarium is what to do with them if the plant isn’t working well in your aquarium? How do you dispose of them properly? You’ll want to make sure you check with your local aquarium clubs or stores to ask their recommendations. The reason why? Believe it or not, many live plants in aquariums are not native to countries like the U.S. and can actually be harmful to their non-native environments. Here’s an OK article from a local Minnesota news site explaining how dumping aquarium plants in a lake or river can actually be harmful.

The Top 7 Best Fish Tank Plants

Now that we know a bit more about the different types of plants and considerations for adding plants to a fish tank, let’s take a look at some of the best plants you can include in your home aquarium.

Java Moss: Looking for a live plant that’s virtually impossible to kill? Look no further than Java Moss. This low-maintenance plant is the most popular for aquariums. It’s beautiful, easy to take care of, and perfect for fish who are breeding and want to lay eggs in the moss.
Amazon Swords: These hardy plants are an extremely popular live plant. They are great for background in an aquarium, and fish do love to hide and swim among these plants. One word of warning. The amazon swords can grow quite tall, so you’ll want to make sure your fish tank is big enough to handle these plants.
Java Ferns: If you’re looking for a background live plant that’s a bit more manageable than the amazon sword, check out the java ferns. These low-maintenance plants have a unique design work well in most aquariums.
Anubias Nana: If you’re a beginner to home aquariums and looking for live plant that’s easy to take care of and maintain, anubias nana is the perfect plant for you. This plant doesn’t grow a lot and doesn’t require much extra care. Plus, it looks cool. Anubias nana actually produces oxygen bubbles that create a fun to look at atmosphere in your tank.
African Water Fern: Next to Java Moss, this is one of the easiest live plants to grow in an aquarium. Plus, it does well in most fish tank conditions, which makes it good for beginner fishkeepers.
Green Tiger Lotus: If you’re looking for a brightly colored plant, you’ll love the green tiger lotus, with its wide leaves and marks of red and green. Like most of the live plants we’ve mentioned here, it requires little maintenance and creates the perfect hiding spots for your fish.
Artificial Plants: Let’s face it, keeping a plant alive isn’t something everyone can do easily. If you don’t have a green thumb, why not consider an artificial plant? They look great and cost a fraction of the price. Plus, you don’t have to worry about upkeep, maintenance, or pesky issues like parasites and snails. And, your fish will enjoy them just as much as live plants too.

There are lots of reasons to consider adding plants to your aquarium. And choosing the best plants can help create a healthy ecosystem for your fish. These top 7 best fish tank plants will help get you on your way to an amazing home aquarium environment.

Top Fish That Actually Clean Your Tank

by James Book

fish tank size You’ve got your aquarium, and you’re ready to start thinking about adding in fish and plants. One of the most important, but sometimes overlooked things to think about when starting a new aquarium or adding new fish to your current tank are adding fish that help clean your tank. These fish, often called bottom-feeders or algae eaters, are just that. They hang out at the bottom of your fish tank and help keep your aquarium clean by eating extra algae. They can definitely be a great way to add a variety of fish to your tank while maintaining a clean and healthy environment in a natural way. Not convinced? An article from the Daily Mail, goes in detail on how Smart Aquariums Turn Slime Into Food and Keep the Water Crystal Clear. With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the top fish that actually clean your tank to help get you started.

Things to Know: Important Tips for Fish That Can Clean Your Tank

There are a lot of different kinds of fish that can actually clean your tank. With this in mind, here are a few things to think about before adding these kinds of fish to your aquarium.

Different Types: There are many different types of fish that can help clean your tank. With this in mind, definitely consider the pros and cons of each kind of fish. How well will the fish get along with others in the tank? Are they aggressive; or, will other fish be aggressive to them? You’ll want to make sure you get fish that get along.
Add Multiple Types to Your Tank: Knowing that different fish can offer different but important cleaning benefits to your tank, consider adding a few different types. This will give your aquarium variety and help naturally clean your tank in a few different ways.
Keeping Them in Separate Tanks: Some people choose to keep their algae-eaters in different tanks, only adding them occasionally to their main tanks, when they need to be cleaned or maintained. This is one way to help maintain their long-term survival, but it can also be hard for these fish and the fish in your main tank if you keep reintroducing them periodically and changing up the tank dynamic.
Give Them Food: Sure, these kinds of fish do eat algae and other materials from your tank. But, that doesn’t mean they don’t need other nutrition too. Make sure to give them extra food, so that they maintain a healthy nutritious diet.
If They Don’t Work Out, Don’t Dispose: Sometimes adding in a new fish to your tank, doesn’t work out. But, don’t improperly dump or dispose of your fish. Adding non-native fish to new environments can be really harmful. This article from the North Dallas Gazette shares how dumping algae eaters can have serious effects on fisheries. Not sure the correct way to dispose of a fish? Check with your local aquarium clubs or pet stores for more information.

A Clean Aquarium is a Happy Aquarium: Top 5 Fish That Clean Your Tank

molly fish Now that we know a bit more about bottom-feeders and algae eaters, let’s take a look at some of the best ones to add to your tank. These are the kind of fish that get along well with others and can be introduced into your tank right away.

Twig Catfish: If you want an algae eater that eats and eats, look no further than the twig catfish. Also known as the whiptail catfish, these fish are slender but long. They’re also pretty easy-going and get along well with other easy-going fish like tetras and pencilfish. But, watch out for cichlids and barbs. They are known to attack twig catfish. So, if you already have them in your tank, you’ll want to skip adding a twig catfish to the aquarium. These algae eaters do well in most tanks, even smaller ones, and love plants and wood. Even though they eat a lot, they should also have weekly food supplements too.
Bristlenose Plecos: If you have a larger aquarium, bristlenose plecos are the perfect algae eater for your tank. They can get quite big because they eat a lot. And, they also eat green spot algae, a type that a lot of algae eaters won’t eat, making them a very efficient addition to your tank. Because of their size and imposing features, they do well in tanks that may have aggressive fish in them. These fish may look intimidating to other fish, but they are actually pretty easy-going. They do like lots of rocky places to hide too.
Siamese Algae Eater: Let’s face it. Most algae eaters aren’t that colorful or pretty to look at. But, the siamese algae eater may be one of the few exceptions to the rule. These shiny fish are extremely efficient and will eat just about anything leftover in the tank. Because of this, they are one of the most popular fish to add to any home aquarium. But, on the flip side, they can be aggressive with their own species. So, if you do add siamese algae eaters, only add in a few to your tank. These fish also love swimming, so bigger tanks are better. And watch out for jumping. They have a reputation for being jumpers, so be on the lookout when you open your tank.
Otocinclus Catfish: Small in size, these are one of the smallest types of algae eaters. This makes them perfect for a small fish tank. Otocinclus catfish, also called dwarf suckers, love eating algae of all types. And, they also like other treats, from time to time too. So, don’t forget to add some extra vegetation and nutrition to their diet. These algae eaters do well in groups of 5, if you have the aquarium space. Like the twig catfish, watch out for aquariums that have cichlids and angelfish. They have a reputation for attacking dwarf suckers.
Mollies: Not known as an algae eater, believe it or not these fish actually can help reduce some of the algae in your tank. Don’t rely on Mollies to do a ton of algae eating, but if you’re looking for a few fish that can help reduce the algae in your tank and don’t want to get all bottom-feeders, Mollies are a great fish to add.

Looking for more information about algae eaters? Check out this article on The Algae Eater Debate to help you decide how an algae eater can help your tank’s ecosystem.