What is on my plants?

[sandrac8388]

I know that snails can leave poop behind but I'm having these little particles all over my leaves. I usually just shake them off and let the filter clean up the mess but then they appear again. Any help please?

(mind the photobombing by the shrimp and betta)

[aokashi]

possibly algae or settling debris..

[sandrac8388]

Can I do anything to get rid of it. Kinda looks like dust.. Idk

[aokashi]

it's probably stuff kicked up by the fish/other tank inhabitants, then it settles under the leaves. positioning the water flow over the leaves should do the trck.

[sandrac8388]

Ok I will try that! Hopefully it doesn't cloud the water.

[sandrac8388]

What should I get to control my algae? I have noticed some on my front glass right in the center -_- I have flourite as my substrate and can't have any bottom feeders or anything like that because it is a pretty sharp substrate! I only have shrimp and a few snails for now and I'm planning to get rid of the snails..they are super annoying.. lol

[aokashi]

i have zebra nerites who grazing on the glass continuously everyday :)

[sandrac8388]

Do they stay on the glass or do they graze the bottom too?

[RobMc]

If you don't like snails -

Ottoclinus work excellently for cleaning glass and plants
Amano ("algae eating") shrimp work great for the rest of the clean-up.

[aokashi]

i find otos unable to take down the stubborn green algae that grows on the walls. the nerites does a great job in that respect :) and they wander everywhere.