Sand Cleaner Recommendation

[hijinks]

I am just getting over a slight green hair algae problem which is no under control due to a active sea urchin.

The problem is still a good amount of algae on the sand bed. I have around 15 nassarius snails that seem active. I have a 46g bow which is 7 weeks old and only 2 inch sand bed right now. I keep telling them that the tank isn't old enough and I think the tank is too small for them.

I was thinking about a few tiger tails instead of the stars.. Seems they won't attack the snails if they are hungry. The urchin poops a lot since there was a lot of algae so I'm thinking that getting a few of those guys would be good.

So is that a good choice or should I look at something else?

 

[DCG1286]

I have the best luck with Nassarius and Cerith Snails ... keeps my sandbed nice and clean ... I also have a brittle star as well ... always on the hunt for food on the sand.

-David

 

[KathyC]

hijinks...do you have a pic of the algae on the sandbed?

Tiger tail cucumbers? Rule is 3" of cuke per 20g of tank. They also grow to 12 -18" commonly in a reef tank.
Best to find the source of the algae and solve that issue first.

 

[hijinks]

Here is a pic of the same type algae on someone else's tank. This was the type growing on the glass (its not anymore) and growing in the sand bed.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/attachments/algae/7884d1203123007-bryopsis-just-hair-algae-100_0360.jpg

 

[KathyC]

do you have the right pic there? lol

 

[hijinks]

ya its the green algae you can see.. long and hair like

 

[KathyC]

Many of the inverts we add to our tanks will not eat algae once it grows long, best to remove it by hand.
Are you using RO water for your tank?

 

[hijinks]

ya been using ro/di water since i started the tank. I think some algae came in on LR i bought. Seems to be dieing off now due to a lot of water changes.

 

[KathyC]

Great, then keep up with those water changes Are you running any reactors, like for phosban?

While the inverts are great for turning over the sand bed, there needs to be enough in the tank for them to eat, so that is always a concern. I think your 15 snails should be fine. Just keep in mind that urchins also eat coraline algae, so they will be snacking on it while you are trying to grow it

Once the tank becomes balanced (established) and all of your parameters are steady & within the correct ranges, you shouldn't have a lot of algae growth, so you don't necessarily load up on critters that only eat algae, aim instead at keeping your parameters perfect..including the phosphate level

 

[JLAudio]

Besides decreasing nutrients in tank via, phos reactors, skimming, fuges, water changes, a good UV sterilizer really decreases algae in display tank.

As far as sand sifting animals go, I have had a ton of luck with sand sifting starfish. I was told contradicting information about this animal and felt he was doomed, but I have had him for some 6 months and he's doing great. Now he's in a 125 but was Kicking A%^ in a 54 corner getting under rocks and everything

 

[aznt1217]

You can get those Sand Sifting crabs that they have at the beach! haha

 

[hijinks]

I started to turn off the pumps while I feed and target feed frozen food in the high algae areas and that that the snails crazy and swarmed there and really stirred up the sand in those areas. Its the 2nd day and the algae on the sand is almost un-noticeable.

I guess the snails really love that frozen food. My urchin has cleaned up most of the rock and my phosphate levels have almost zeroed out.

I am hoping to be good from here on out. I am trying not to use a reactor as it crashed my last tank I had years ago.

 

[dabgood21]

My Nassarius snails and Serpent Star work great. You might want to consider a Conch too. I've had a Persian Sand Conch in my tank for almost 2 years and I love it. It only stops eating when it's sleeping under the sand.

If your green algae has already grown long you should just scoop it up with a fish net and (carefully) sift out the sand avoiding your corals. Some of your fish may enjoy a little sand shower as they do so in the wild. It serves as a bit of a sander, removing irritations from their scales and skin.

Check your Phosphate levels and consider adding some plant life such as Caulerpa to your system to eat up some phospahtes. (Keep it from your Urchin, it will eat it all fast)

You may also be over feeding. Everyone does it a little bit but it can be a big contributor towards high Phosphate levels.

Good Luck!