help please?

[h2osanity]

That would be why. The algae is reacting to the Excel and starting to die off.
You should see some of your algae crew start eating it now....even guppies will eat dying algae that is turned colour -don't ask me why.

[Melad360]

really??? last time i used excel the algae turned white!!!???

will mollies, BN plecos, chinese AE, and cory cats eat the dying algae?

thanks

[h2osanity]

Corys no, BN's probably, Mollies definitely, Chinese algae eaters maybe while they are young at least.

The best bet are true Siamese algae eaters, nerite snails, amano shrimp and otos.

[Melad360]

ooooohhhhhhhhhh... thanks a lot!!

i use RODI water for water changes and i dont add anything to it. i change 20-25% of the water every week, and i was wondering if the fish will get osmotic shock?

thanks

[Sharkbait]

ooooohhhhhhhhhh... thanks a lot!!

i use RODI water for water changes and i dont add anything to it. i change 20-25% of the water every week, and i was wondering if the fish will get osmotic shock?

thanks

Osmotic shock should not be an issue as the solute concentration in the tank is not changing dramatically enough from the addition of RO water for osmotic forces to cause a significant change in fluid distribution.

As for the Chinese Algae Eater- I hope you are not relying on him to eat algae. I would re-consider if you are going to keep it after reading this from Bob Fenner and wetwebmedia.

Gyrinocheilus aymonieri (Tirant 1883), the Chinese Algae Eater... Likely one of the largest causes of freshwater livestock (and hobbyist) loss. Too often confused as a "cleaner upper", this fish is more of an "eater upper", that will "ride" other fishes, sucking off their protective slime coating, ultimately killing them. Available as a gorgeous xanthic/golden variety... just as ornery. Not to be kept with peaceful tropical fishes! To ELEVEN inches in length. "Freshwater; pH range: 6 – 8; dH range: 5 - 19 tropical; 25 – 28°C. Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Meklong basins; northern Malay Peninsula. Aquarium keeping: needs plant feed; adults territorial; in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm http://fishbase.sinica.edu.tw/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=12298&genusname=Gyrinocheilu s&speciesname=aymonieri"

[Melad360]

thanks.

will i be able to keep little ones?

[h2osanity]

Little ones are only young, as they mature they will become larger (unlike otos for instance) and more aggressive. My friend owns a 6" CAE that eats everything she puts in her tank...
In a heavily planted tank you may be hard pressed to catch it again...

[Melad360]

thanks.