Frag tank cleaners

happysalt · Feb 17, 2019

Hey So I have a frag section setup in my sump (24"x 10") and I was having an issue with some of the algae growing on the sides of my plugs. Any recommendations for a good small fish/invert cleanup crew I can throw down there to take care of it?

Ranjib · Feb 17, 2019

hermit crabs, nerites, turbo snails are all good

Brad Miller · Feb 17, 2019

Ranjib said:
hermit crabs, nerites, turbo snails are all good

+1

happysalt · Feb 17, 2019

Hermit Crabs will have no issue climbing frag racks? Any fish?

Jesterrace · Feb 18, 2019

A Damsel would work as long as there is decent flow in the sump. My LFS uses them in their frag tanks to help remove algae. They are also dirt cheap so it wouldn't be a big risk to try one.

happysalt · Feb 18, 2019

I forgot to mention I already have two clowns in there so yea as long as there won’t be any fighting that should more than work. Which damsel would you recommend?

Jesterrace · Feb 19, 2019

Wait, you already have clownfish in your sump? If so then I wouldn't add any fish to it. Established clowns in a relatively small space would not treat new additions kindly.

happysalt · Feb 19, 2019

Yea they have been in there for around 2 weeks. I figured maybe a lawnmower blenny or something they would leave alone.

Jesterrace · Feb 19, 2019

In a space that small that is a lot of fish. I definitely wouldn't keep 3 fish in there. 1 fish only and remove the clowns as they aren't doing anything that you want.

Triggreef · Feb 19, 2019

The damsels mentioned are probably springeri and used for flat worm control. Really good at it too. Algae not so much.

As mentioned snails and hermits should be able to keep up but limit light to 6hrs a day and it'll dwindle on its own. Keep a 24hr lighted fuge.

happysalt · Feb 20, 2019

Triggreef said:
The damsels mentioned are probably springeri and used for flat worm control. Really good at it too. Algae not so much.

As mentioned snails and hermits should be able to keep up but limit light to 6hrs a day and it'll dwindle on its own. Keep a 24hr lighted fuge.

Perfect yea will do. Sounds good thanks!

Jesterrace · Feb 20, 2019

Triggreef said:
The damsels mentioned are probably springeri and used for flat worm control. Really good at it too. Algae not so much.

As mentioned snails and hermits should be able to keep up but limit light to 6hrs a day and it'll dwindle on its own. Keep a 24hr lighted fuge.

Actually it's a blue "devil" damsel. My LFS has had one in their frag tank for years and have never directly fed it. It's big and fat too.