best algea eaters for a BB tank..

[johnny313]

Im thinking I need a good clean up crew for a bb tank thats a 65g any ideas?
I an starting to get this really dark colored ( maybe dark green ) short algea since i switched to MH. its not much yet so I wanna nip this in the but now

[miniwhinny]

I don't have any algae in my 29 to the point where I'm worried about things starving !!! Never thought I'd say that lol. When I took the rocks out of my other tank to set up this one a month ago they were covered in all kinds.


This is what I have in a 29 BB

1 Reef cowrie (THE best algae eater bar none)
4 mexican turbos
3 astreas
2 hermits
unknown amount of stomatellas

[johnny313]

I dont either but I have heard of people in here that have tons of snails. I have like 4 or 5 turbo snails and maybe 7 hermits

[Jflip2002]

Try a LMB also, he may help a little. Even if he doesnt, they have great personality =)

[thecoralreefer]

Conch snails eat it voraciously

[crvz]

Zebra turbos I've seen destroy a tank full of algae (in a good way), and I've heard good reports of chestnut turbos as well (I just ordered some, to be honest).

[johnny313]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13894403#post13894403 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thecoralreefer
Conch snails eat it voraciously

dont they need sand?

[Oshkosh]

How about building an algae turf scrubber? Wont take much space and will absorb those nutrients that the nuisance algae needs. Either that or use several different types of snails such as, Cerith, Trochus & Nerite. My 2 cents worth...

[causeofhim]

You need a lot more snails for a bare bottom set-up.
You need 2 Cerith's per 1 Astrea and 1 astrea per 2 gallons to start with.

[johnny313]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13896598#post13896598 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by causeofhim
You need a lot more snails for a bare bottom set-up.
You need 2 Cerith's per 1 Astrea and 1 astrea per 2 gallons to start with.

So i would need about 33 Astrea's and 66 cerinth's in a 65 gallon tank?

[johnny313]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13894983#post13894983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Oshkosh
How about building an algae turf scrubber? Wont take much space and will absorb those nutrients that the nuisance algae needs. Either that or use several different types of snails such as, Cerith, Trochus & Nerite. My 2 cents worth...

How do I build an algae turf scrubber? :)

[causeofhim]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13896649#post13896649 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnny313
So i would need about 33 Astrea's and 66 cerinth's in a 65 gallon tank?

Yeah, for a start.

Sounds like you need to do some reading:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=650985

[johnny313]

long thread but def worth reading.

[chrissreef]

280g and 300-400 cerith snails (and I want about 150 more =)

[johnny313]

dont cerith snails a sand bed?? im sorry im confused

[causeofhim]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13897688#post13897688 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnny313
dont cerith snails a sand bed?? im sorry im confused
Nope.

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13897688#post13897688 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnny313
dont cerith snails a sand bed?? im sorry im confused

They don't need one. I've had them in my barebottom for years.

Regarding the volume of snails being recommended, I only have about 30-40 snails total in my 150 gallon system, and it's worked well for me. I wouldnt add 100 snails at once, especially if there's not a food source for them to consume.

[cbusreefer]

I agree with crvz. I only have maybe 40 in my 125BB and it doesn't have a lick of algae. I don't have chaeto either. All I run is a TLF reactor with phosban (besides my skimmer and CA reactor). Like anything in this hobby, people tend to overdue things alot. Get yourself maybe 20-30 snails at first and then if you feel you need more, add more down the line.

[Tyrenlds]

+1 for turbos

[greenmonkey51]

Ceriths hands down. I got 50 for my 40g and the tank was clean in a week. I sold off some, but I don't think you can beat ceriths.

[johnny313]

Sounds like you need to do some reading:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=650985 [/B][/QUOTE]

That is an incredible thread! i was up to 4am reading it and im still not done!

[crvz]

I had a lot of ceriths, but they frustrate me. But for a unique reason. When I siphon detritus from the display, there are always a bunch of ceriths in the same spot, and they end up clogging my siphon hose. So I like snails that are a bit larger.

[johnny313]

they were prolly there because they were eating it

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13900886#post13900886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnny313
they were prolly there because they were eating it

I'm sure it is, but they werent quick enough. My siphon hose is considerably more efficient!