When I went to the pet shop today to get my supplies and "brine shrimp net."

I put it in quotes because the thing is not nearly small enough weave. Unfortunately once tested, they do not accept returns. As such, I got screwed over. Thankfully it wasn't expensive.

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I asked for a recommendation for a bottom feeder compatable with my water and fish.

The fish the guy mentioned was the Octocinclus, but I have had a lot of difficulty finding information on the things. He mentioned they are sensitive to water changes though.

Anyone have experience with them?

im sorry i dont have much experience with them but Robyn does. i will read over her page and see if they can stand your water. what is your ph?

i read that they prefer soft to medium water, like ph 6 to 7, and are sensitive. good thing you asked us before buying some! ;) .

Heh, didn't even occur to me to look through the fishpondinfo site. They definately do not seem compatable with my tank.

http://www.fishpondinfo.com/otto.htm

they arent with the water but they are with the fish :D .

I am thinking heavily about just finding the most compatable species and getting myself some cories. They seem just as peaceful, good bottom feeders, have scales (so medication isn't a huge issue), don't get big, and seem pretty hardy.

some cories get 3 inches. the ones that would do best are bronze or albino cories. get about 3 and make sure they are at least 2 inches so they have a better chance of surviving in your water.

I had 2 oto's in w/my paradise in a 7-gallon tank. They weren't happy w/the water changes & eventually died. I use ramshorn snails now to clean the tank. Talk about vacuum cleaners! I have one in my 20-gallon paradise tank & one in the kids' 10-gallon tetra/guppy tank. They have to be in at at least pairs & they like to go under rocks & wedge themselves in when they get stressed from water changes. I personally would never get another one. Go w/the cories.

Albino cories seem to be about right. Aside from the hardness, the conditions seem within the limits, and the hardness is not too far off even.

My pictus catfish survived and grew in tank conditions far more removed from their preferred, so I think they will work out fine.

some stores near me sell young cories around 1/2 of an inch and they wont do well in your tank. when buying them make sure they are around 2 inches. they max out at 3 inches and they like to be kept in schools. i think 3 is good.