Algae Eater Recommendation

[danenelsen]

Hello, I currently have some algae growing all over my tank; in the sand, on the rocks, even on the return tube, I was wondering what recommendations you have for inverts or a small fish to deal with it. Thanks!

 

[ladders]

I currently use a variety, but my favorites end up being the tuxedo urchin, and the tail spot blenny.

 

[danenelsen]

I currently use a variety, but my favorites end up being the tuxedo urchin, and the tail spot blenny.

Thanks for the response. I'll look into those two things.

 

[dangles]

How big is your tank?

I’ve read lawnmower blennies are a solid choice as well

 

[dangles]

Also I assume you’ve been tracking your nutrients?

Do you have anything that would be harmed by shutting off the lights for a week or two?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Fighting conch
Pencil or tuxedo urchin (pencil does not drag stuff around)
Pitho crabs
emerald crabs (which I do not trust)
Chiton snails
Snails: Astrea-cerith-turbo grazer-ninja star

 

[kevgib67]

Tuxedo urchin is the hardest working member of my cuc, you can’t beat it.

 

[danenelsen]

How big is your tank?

I’ve read lawnmower blennies are a solid choice as well

55 gallons, so I should be good with a lawnmower blenny.

 

[danenelsen]

Fighting conch
Pencil or tuxedo urchin (pencil does not drag stuff around)
Pitho crabs
emerald crabs (which I do not trust)
Chiton snails
Snails: Astrea-cerith-turbo grazer-ninja star

Thanks! That's a great list to have! May I ask why you don't trust Emerald Crabs?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks! That's a great list to have! May I ask why you don't trust Emerald Crabs?

They can quickly turn on zoas and other softies. . . mainly the males

 

[danenelsen]

They can quickly turn on zoas and other softies. . . mainly the males

Thank you!

 

[ladders]

I don’t trust pencil urchins either as they may eat corals when they grow. Live aquaria has them not reef safe

 

[nicowboy]

Hello, I currently have some algae growing all over my tank; in the sand, on the rocks, even on the return tube, I was wondering what recommendations you have for inverts or a small fish to deal with it. Thanks!

I currently use a lawnmower blennie, tuxedo sea urchins, astrea, blue hermit crab, emerald crab, turno snail, and pods

It term of efficiency I feel like the urchin is way more helpful, it will much a lot and I don’t know if other experienced that it end up cleaning so good that makes my live rock loosing its color (caribsea live rock)
And besides that I use NP-bactobalance to control nutrients and add positive bacteria

 

[danenelsen]

I currently use a lawnmower blennie, tuxedo sea urchins, astrea, blue hermit crab, emerald crab, turno snail, and pods

It term of efficiency I feel like the urchin is way more helpful, it will much a lot and I don’t know if other experienced that it end up cleaning so good that makes my live rock loosing its color (caribsea live rock)
And besides that I use NP-bactobalance to control nutrients and add positive bacteria

Ok, thanks a lot! It sounds like urchins help a lot! I'll definitely look into them!