algae, cloudy water, and bottom feeders

Question
Hi!  I am having trouble keeping my freshwater tank looking clean.  I do a 10% water change and a few days later it looks cloudy and dirty, I try to change the filter as often as possible as well. Is there anything extra, different lighting available that can make it look how aquarium stores look?!  Also too I wanted to get some type of cleaning fish, something in the way of a bottom feeder so I can keep the tank cleaner looking.  I have five angel fish that are pretty tame.  Can I place a cleaner shrimp in there as well?  I like them, but I don't know if they would be compatible w/my fish.  And one more question, sorry!, I wanted to get a few plants, does it matter as too which kinds and are they easy to maintain ie, no special food or additives?  Thank you for answering these!!!  it's a twenty gallon tank by the way, ph is about 6.8 i think.  not sure of the nitrate and ammonia values!?

Answer
Hi Sue;

Cut back on how much food you feed. The more food, the more algae you get because it feeds on waste. Angels will convince you they are STARVING every time you pass by the tank! Mine tries all day long! Feed them once a day. Make sure they finish all the food you feed in less than 5 minutes.

I like cory cats to help clean up from extra food. They are peaceful, active, swim in schools, and keep things tidy. The angels won't bother them. Get 3 or 4 for your 20 gallon. The shrimp will eat algae on plants and the bottom. They would be fine together. A bristle nose or clown plecostomus would do a good job too. They don't get huge like the regular plecostomus (Trinidad's), but they might eat any live plants you want. If you choose live plants, I would get the algae shrimp instead.

Try not to change your filter cartridges any more often than you have to. Rinse them in a container of tank water if they get plugged up. This preserves the beneficial bacteria that your tank needs to stay clear and clean. Make a 25% water change every week while vacuuming the gravel too. This will really help.  

Live plants are great for angels. I like Amazon Sword, Melon Sword, and Java Fern. These are all "true aquatic plants". Lots of plants sold in fish stores are bog plants or basic houseplants that have been submerged. They get ugly looking and fade away soon after you buy them because they aren't meant to be underwater. You should add an aquarium plant fertilizer every week to keep them healthy. It really is pretty simple. Ask at your local fish store about it.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins