Cold water algae-eaters?

[soundedbetterinmyhead]

Hello fish experts, I have a 60l cold water tank which for the last 6 months has had to be in the conservatory. We don't use the tank light at all, but we are having to scrub all the algae off weekly as within days everything gets furred up. I am using an anti-algae treatment, but I presume that it is just too bright. I only have 9 white cloud mountain minnows that are about 2.5 years old (I never thought they would live this long!) Is there anything we can add that will chomp through the algae - the tank is an eyesore and it's a big job every week and all the cleaning disturbs the fish more that I would want to. Any ideas? Thank you!

[EauRouge]

There aren't really any fish that will do the job, sorry. Have you got any plants in there? That will help to use up the nutrients. What are the nitrAte and phosphate levels like? Could you cut the feeding down at all? Some fish foods can be quite high in phosphate.

2.5 is about middle-aged for minnows, they can live past 5 years easily.

[soundedbetterinmyhead]

The nitrate is showing at about 20mg/l - I use a nitrate lowering additive as it is a problem with the tap water in this area. I have just taken the plants out because after about a week they were slimed up and looked awful.

[soundedbetterinmyhead]

Thanks for your advice though - I nearly bought some shrimps this afternoon which I was told would sort out the tank!