My birthday is coming up and since my request for another tank has been vetoed, I am considering a bristlenosed pleco for my 55 gal goldie tank. I've recently began to grow some alage and it's gross but my tank is planted so I can't get a snail cause all the ones that I know of that eat alage will eat my plants too. So any who the LFS here has a brittlenose but I want to know if he can live in my tank which has goldie salt in it and what other types of things he might need to be happy. I have an ornament he could hide in (i've been reading that they like those) and my tank is planted though some are in pots. Any advice?

Bristlenoses would clean that algae up in no time! Do you keep your tank salted all the time? Pleco's have been known to have issues with salt,although a know a few people who have dosed their tanks in small doses of it. You can go to Planet Catfish to get more detailed info.I personally have no experience with it because mine are all in non salted tanks. There are a few snails that eat algae,and ususally stay away from your plants,but once again-Salt may be a factor.

humm I kinda have salted my tank as a general tonic while it was cycling cause my nitrite levels were ginormous but they are zero now so I guess I could quit salting but the guy at my LFS said that the salt ( tablespoon per 5 gallons) was good for my goldies cause it gave them minerals and the such. Anyways should I try it? I just read that people keep them with chiclids and they need salt right? Anyone have experince with plecos and salt? And Devs do you have any suggestions for snails?

Yeh, salt and snails wouldn't go to well together. A pleco would be best, plus those bristlenose plecos are sooo cute.

"Vivs" from the family Vivaparidae sp. are a good choice for planted tanks.They really don't get much bigger than 1/4 "or so.They love algae.They have been known to be called Mystery snails because they have a Trapdoor,and kind of look like mini versions of the Apple Snail known as Brigs.They ususally come in a blue/greyish color.There are also a snail called nerite.Most of what are for sale,are kind of dark looking-although I have seen some really fancy ones on Aquabid that went for a pretty penny or two.These Snails are sold as "Freshwater",but in truth are somewhat Saltwater snails,that have been acclimated to fresh.One good thing about these guys are that they also adore Algae,and in Freshwater,do NOT reproduce at all,so you don't have to worry about the Snail population getting out of control.

Devs! I am so glad you told me that I have a nerite snail sitting in my betta tank right now (marble snails and nerites are the same right?)! But he's really little still and my goldies might eat him or atleast really hurt him. But he could tolerate the salt right? ooo I hope so ( I think I may still ask my LFS what they think about the pleco and salt but I have wanted a snail in my goldie tank!)

If your Nerite was bought in Freshwater,and kept in freshwater,then you'll have to acclimate slowly to the salt water of the Goldie tank.I personally would try and "go0gle" for more info on them.They are still rare around fish forums etc.,and not a whole lot has been said about them.I'mno Nerite expert for sure,but double check on what I've said.That is the info that I was able to find on them.Did you get him from your LFS? Maybe they can tell you more.

I got him as a "bonus" from a guy that I order plants with off ebay he was like here have two snails with your order and I was like Ok!. My brother has the other one by the way. Anyways thanks for your help Devs! I'll nose around the net and see what I can find.