A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Algae Eaters

Hello Everyone in Aquaponics Land,

So I've been researching this fun little experiment for the last 6 months and then got the wild hair to go ahead and build one. I've got a 35gal fish tank, a few grow beds and a 35 gal sump. All of this is set up in a hot house on my deck. I've been fishless cycling the system for about 2 weeks (no water tests yet, haven't had time), the peppers have been growing pretty well, but the algae is going absolutely bonkers.

I live in the Seattle area, and with such a small system my water temps will go as high as 80F and as low as ??? (haven't gone through the winter yet so I don't know yet). Does anyone have any recommendations for an algae eater that can survive a wide range of temps.

Thanks,

Doug

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Permalink Reply by Jon Parr on July 23, 2012 at 8:15pm

I put an aquarium store pleco in every tank I own. They are hardy and keep the house clean, but the solution I think you are looking for is to shield the tank from light, which eliminates the algae and preserves the nutrients for growing them peppers.
I also have a bunch of snails, and some Red Ear Sunfish, which eat snails like candy (also called shell crackers). Give the snails plenty of hides, or the RES will wipe them out.