Member

Posts: 20
From:Denton, TX 76201
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-22-2003 07:19 AM         

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The decorations in my tank are getting this rust looking stuff on them. About a week ago I had vaccumed the tank, did a water change, and I even cleaned the decorations, but now it's back. Can anyone tell me what's going on and what I can do to fix it? I would truly appreciate your help. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by debdeb (edited 10-22-2003).]

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Member

Posts: 183
From:austin,tx, usa
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 10-22-2003 08:04 AM         

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I would guess that's brown algae. a sign of the tank being cycled, which is a good thing. you could get an algae eater of some kind to help keep it under control (be sure to get something that will go with cichlids. a small pleco is fine). you should see some green algae next.. on the glass and decorations. I scrape it off the front glass but leave the rest.
get used to it! LOL

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Member

Posts: 20
From:Denton, TX 76201
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-22-2003 02:29 PM         

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I had one of those sucker fishes and my cichlids killed him! I really liked him too. Besides my sucker, my cichlids have killed two bala sharks and another cichlid.I'm afraid to put anything else with them! Now I'm just wondering if these last two will finish each other off. Thanks for letting me know about the brown algae, I'm glad its something good because everything else with my tank the past couple of months has been bad!

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Member

Posts: 183
From:austin,tx, usa
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 10-22-2003 02:34 PM         

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are you sure it was a pleco? smaller plecos die easier than the larger ones that are say 3 inches and up, in my experience. they are spiny so probably not too easy for other fish to kill. I hope you have several "caves" and other hiding spots. try to get a hold of some holey limestone as well. my cichlids don't bother my pleco at all and I have 17 cichlids in my tank, many of which are 4-5 inches in size.
good luck

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Member

Posts: 20
From:Denton, TX 76201
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-22-2003 07:38 PM         

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I'm pretty sure it was a pleco, he was about 3-4 inches and my cichlids are about 2 inches. My cichlids would always nip at him and hit him, I didn't think they would kill him though.I have several plants of various sizes and a Greek temple like house thing that my yellow cichlid loves. There's also a wall sort of thing that has three holes which they like swimming through and is located in the corner of the tank. I do need to get a limestone though but first I need to find a local pet store that sells them. Thanks for your help!

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