Algae control for a 20 gallon nano

[personwafish]

Don’t know how they are on GHA, but my Ecsenius bimaculatus only eats algae.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I appreciate your thoughts. But, this is an NPS tank centered around gorgonians. No crabs or sea urchins will be in here. I shouldve been more specific earlier. Sorry. This tank is very low on the lighting. And, nowhere near a window. My phosphates range from .15-.25. Thats exactly where i want them. Everything about this tank has been designed for one purpose.

My questions is what would be a good fish that i can use in a 10 gallon nano that would help with eating the filamentous green hair algae that is starting to appear after 4 months without any clean up crew whatsover? I dont need a tank make over...... Just need help figuring out a fish to choose.

Tail spot blenny and best range for po4 is .04 - .06 but you obviously have a plan

 

[las]

My first tank was a 20g. Pretty small... and I mean that in the spirit of difficult (expert level).

I have been keeping reef tanks since the 80's. I just want someone to say that there is a mini purple tang out there that i dont know about

 

[Rigoberto]

I have been keeping reef tanks since the 80's.

Not a comment on your skill but mine as far as giving advice. My first tank was in the 1980s as well, but you are off into an area where I am of limited use. Tailspot blenny sounds like a possible option. Like I said beyond my experience.

 

[las]

Tail spot blenny and best range for po4 is .04 - .06 but you obviously have a plan

Thank you very much. two votes for tailspot.

 

[las]

Not a comment on your skill but mine as far as giving advice. My first tank was in the 1980s as well, but you are off into an area where I am of limited use. Tailspot blenny sounds like a possible option. Like I said beyond my experience.

No worries my friend. appreciate the tailspot recommendation

 

[Dav2996]

Im purposefully keeping NO3 & PO4 in those ranges i mentioned. I dont want them lower. I need a fish that will eat the hair algae.

Use phosphate remover then pull it.

 

[Dav2996]

No worries my friend. appreciate the tailspot recommendation

My system is designed to be least effort I can put in for most reward.

first photo before

second photo after skimmer

had algae all over sand, all over back walls.
Nitrates remain 5ppm 0 water changes 5 months

 

[Kenneth Wingerter]

Molly Miller blenny is a great little algae eater for a smallish tank. Otherwise, the Rainford's would be a nice option.

 

[Nick Steele]

Thanks Nick! How big do tailspots get? Would one be happy in a 20 Gallon?

They get to be 2-3” but are perfectly fine in a 20G.

 

[i cant think]

I wouldn’t do any Escenius blenny that wasn’t a 1-2” species at max size. I have a linear blenny in my 4’ tank and he uses every single part to that tank. Also, Blennies can be rather aggressive which isn’t something you’d want in a nano.

OP, why do you not want CUC?

A fish shouldn’t be bought with the expectation it WILL do something but more so bought if you like it. If it does something for the tank then that’s just extra. Sometimes a fish will be known for doing something but then not do it. It’s really a 50/50 shot at buying fish to do something.
An example of this is with Chelmon rostratum. Many buy these guys for their aiptasia diet but actually some of them will not feed on the aiptasia. Only about half of the ones brought into captivity will eat aiptasia.

 

[Dav2996]

I wouldn’t do any Escenius blenny that wasn’t a 1-2” species at max size. I have a linear blenny in my 4’ tank and he uses every single part to that tank. Also, Blennies can be rather aggressive which isn’t something you’d want in a nano.

OP, why do you not want CUC?

A fish shouldn’t be bought with the expectation it WILL do something but more so bought if you like it. If it does something for the tank then that’s just extra. Sometimes a fish will be known for doing something but then not do it. It’s really a 50/50 shot at buying fish to do something.
An example of this is with Chelmon rostratum. Many buy these guys for their aiptasia diet but actually some of them will not feed on the aiptasia. Only about half of the ones brought into captivity will eat aiptasia.

I had a blenny loose it attack all the fish chase them everywhere and swim against the wall as much as he could so I brought him back to the fish store. He especially hated other algae grazers and attacked them the most.

 

[i cant think]

I had a blenny loose it attack all the fish chase them everywhere and swim against the wall as much as he could so I brought him back to the fish store. He especially hated other algae grazers and attacked them the most.

My linear used to take on my naokoae when they were in my 18” cube (Now been taken down and replaced with a 3’x16”x1’ top down tank). Now both are in my 4’ and they couldn’t care less about eachother.

 

[las]

Molly Miller blenny is a great little algae eater for a smallish tank. Otherwise, the Rainford's would be a nice option.

Thanks Ken. I check out the miller blenny.

 

[paolodipietro]

If you don't have corals, I recommend you keep the lights off for 3 days, brush the rocks and do a 20% water change once a week. I did that in my 625 liter tank and it worked for me

 

[las]

LOL- I do daily 10% water changes.

 

[>>klong<<]

Lol. Great patience on this thread, @las. What did you end up choosing and did the fish help with your algae?