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I don't have time to keep cleaning the algae from the tank. I'm a college student and I'm just too busy for that. I've tried doing partial water changes, but that doesn't work. The algae is caused by the basking lights on the tank so I can't do anything about that. I was thinking about getting a pleco to keep the tank clean for me. What do you guys think? I know people say it can become food, but some also say their turtle doesn't bother the pleco. Should I or shouldn't I?

At least in my case, the algae I have (which is also helped by the basking lights) is in areas that a pleco would be useless towards. I have algae on my basking dock and a little at the water line sometimes.
Algae isn't bad, and if it isn't overrunning the tank it doesn't smell, so you may want to just give in and leave it.
Buy a pleco if you want and see how it goes. The worst that will happen is it will be eaten and you'll still have algae.

I agree, try out the pleco. Mine keeps the tank sparkling, except for a little bit on the dock that he won't clean because the turtle is always there.

**Just make sure and give the pleco his own hiding place that the turtle can't fit into. And get some algae wafers. Plecos are nocturnal, so if you see your pleco out during the day that means he isn't getting enough to eat at night. If that happens just drop a couple algae wafers by his hide before you go to bed.***

If you can aim the basking lights so they only shine on the dock and not into the water that might help. Also if the tank is in a sunny room you could try covering the sides of the tank that are facing the windows during the day while you're away. Light is the biggest contributor to algae growth.

I have algae on the basking dock...and that doesn't bother me. But I starts to over take the bottom of the tank and the sides...and that drives me nuts because I like to watch my turtle (Wilson) and the green haze on the sides makes it hard in some spots. And if I just leave it...then it'll take over the whole tank, bottom and sides. What type/size pleco do you think I should get. I'm not really familiar with these so any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Wilson is 2in.

Pond people use something called algae fix, which is an herbicide. It works really well -- it says it's safe for fish and plants (but not snails). I don't think it's something I would personally use.

You can also look into a UVC filter. It attaches to a canister and it's not cheap, but it will destroy most of the simple microorganisms in your water.

Well, when I got my pleco, I got a baby one and he is now over 4''. But I would recommend getting one that is bigger than your turtle. Just make sure you know that they grow to 12-18'' and require a bit of room when they are full grown.

I bought a pleco today...and he already is making some headway on the algae!!!! It is about 3in long. Hopefully Wilson won't bother him and he won't bother Wilson!!

Yay! Good luck! See if you can snap a pic of your new addition?