What to use for algae and cleanup

[BCReefer]

If you do not use snails and crabs to clean the system and eat the algae, what fish would you suggest in the 3 – 4 inch size. I have no corals only LR. Is there a particular fish that would work as a algae eater?

 

[Anonymous]

I have had good experiences with the lawn mower blenny. They are very industrious consumers of algea, my last one jumped out, so cover your tank. I had him for over a year, and he was always fat, happy and healthy.

-Laura

 

[Anonymous]

ditto on the lawnmower blenny! mine went to work as soon as he hit the tank. ordered him from petwarehouse.

i've got a related question that i'd like to add to this thread.

There is alot of detritus on my LR and i was wondering what snail or crab would be good. so far i've only got 5 astrea's. I'm thinking about nassarrius snails and mexican red leg hermits. would the nassarius (sp) be ok without a sandbed? I plan on getting more astrea's and a sallylightfoot crab for the algea problem but what do ya'll use for cleaning detritus off your LR?

i'd appreciate any advice,
pojohnny

 

[gka]

I second the lawnmower blennie. I also have a yellow tang that munches on algae. pojohny - add more astrea snails (a lot more!) Snails may not be much to look at but "slow and steady wins the race". Also IMO red leg and blue leg crabs do well. Some people have reported the blue legs eating snails etc... but I have not had this problem. The blue legs in my tank are by far the most active cleaner (maybe not the most effective) crawl all over everything and stir up anything that has settled on the rock.