I need algae graze suggestions

[jmp21677]

I have a 170 reefer and quite a few of my zoa plugs have a algae/ water plant growing on them and its driving me crazy! I've scrubbed, brushed etc and no luck. No doubt a tang would knock it out in a week. ...but 37 gallons just wont work. Any suggestions?

 

[Oscar47f]

Hermit crabs work great as well... and i would control the nutrients and fine the root of the problem first before implementing anything just so you know what the cause is?

 

[watdachuck]

Sea Urchins are great!!! They also don't fall over like snails.

 

[Pongo]

Can you post a pic?

 

[watdachuck]

 

[watdachuck]

This guy grabs random things in the tank and camouflages himself....That was a Sally Lightfoot Crab shell that was shedded.

 

[recess62]

Lawnmower blenny

 

[mcarroll]

H2O2 dip....or application in-tank with a syringe.

What kind of algae? Pic?

 

[Salty1962]

Salarias, Blenniella, Atrosalarias and Cirripectes Blennies are good algae grazers if you want to go that route. My Salarias fasciatus mows down allot of algae.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/choosing-cleanup-crew-critters.258695/

 

[jmp21677]

I have a ton of hermits. They don't touch it. Lights are out for a pic. It came in on a plug I'm sure. More Chaeto like than algae.....

 

[Chanjad385]

Sea hare

 

[InvertEnvy]

Sea hare

Just make sure if you get a sea hare you feed him after the algae is gone or he will starve to death.

 

[Chanjad385]

If you get one try and strike a deal with your lfs

Once he has eaten all the algae take him back either for some discount on something else or just in holding until you need him again

 

[eatbreakfast]

I second the use of blennies. My favorite gor this is the starry blenny.

 

[Baldguy]

I second the use of blennies. My favorite gor this is the starry blenny.

TJ, do you like the starry because it is more apt to help with algae? I'm torn between starry and a lawnmower. The starry does look better.

 

[watdachuck]

Love my Starry!!

 

[eatbreakfast]

TJ, do you like the starry because it is more apt to help with algae? I'm torn between starry and a lawnmower. The starry does look better.

I find them both comparable as far as algae consumption, but find that starries are hardier, and imo look much nicer.

 

[themcnertney]

Get a good quality clean up crew. I like @reefcleaners
Another option would be a LMB.
I wouldn't do an urchin or sea hare as these will eventually die off from starvation in a smaller tank.

 

[Denniswbliss]

I have a 170 reefer and quite a few of my zoa plugs have a algae/ water plant growing on them and its driving me crazy! I've scrubbed, brushed etc and no luck. No doubt a tang would knock it out in a week. ...but 37 gallons just wont work. Any suggestions?

Yes put two mollies in just make sure you acclimate them slow they will not stop untill all algae is gone.