Spot Algae and Bristle Nose pleco???

[hellann]

Hi! General info: 10 gallon glass tank, heater, whisper filter, gravel, live plants, 3 female Betta, 2 oto cats, a few ghost shrimp, 2 fake logs. It has a full hood with full spectrum lights (which are off all day now due to our excessive daylight).
Yes, our maint has suffered for the last two weeks as renovations have made life a challenge. Our gals are still plugging away though, the little troopers!
Question: We now have the hard green Spot Algae. I have reading a bit online about it and the general concensus is that we will have to scrape it off with a razor. OK. Then I came to a site that said a bristle nose(d) pleco would eat spot algae too. Does anyone have any info on these creatures? Would they be a recommended tank mate? Size, actually eating the spot algea, special concerns or needs? (I am not really too concerned about the girls dealing with it, as they have been fine with the otos and ghosties coming in at varying times, and I'm thinking as long as it isn't another 'fish' that they are ok with it.)
Thanks for the info!

[amanichen]

Here's some general information on them:

animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/catfish/bristlenose.php

While some people use plecostomii as algae-eating machines, many of the species require specialized care over your average community fish. They aren't aggressive, but can occasionally inure smaller fish, and become less tolerant as they grow older. I'd elaborate, on why not to get one, if you want, but I'm not going to because I suggest another course of action.

Try reducing light and nutrients in the water before you resort to a fish. It's a pervasive myth that every tank needs an "algae eater." With with your high quality lighting, and the plant presence, and the otos, you shouldn't have too many problems as long as the lighting gets under control. Just about any tank will maintain a level of algal growth, but yours should start to recede when the tank gets less accumulated light exposure, and less intensity.

[hellann]

Ok, thank you for your reply, amanichen!
I am in Alaska, so I really can't do much about the daylight. We haven't had the tank lights on for a couple of weeks now. I was thinking maybe I should make them some sort of tank wrap and 'put them to bed" every night. Not only for the algae, but also so they can rest. But, I am not getting heavier curtains, as *I* NEED the light! LOL :-)
I actually would rather not get another creature in there, so I am very willing to scrape and look for other solutions. :-)
Thanks!

[amanichen]

A light blocker would be the best solution. Fish do sleep at night so it would also help them with a proper day/night cycle =)