what are the best CUC to prevent algae on sand

Just John

Valuable Member? Seriously?
View Badges
Joined
Jan 31, 2021
Messages
5,425
Reaction score
20,197
Location
Clearwater, FL
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
This is a 13 gal tank. My rockwork is 99% algae free thanks to my Mexican turbo snails and hermit crabs, but I have had a problem with algae growing on the sand, eventually forming mats. I took out the sand for a month to work on the problem. The sand is back in and I want to prevent its return. What cuc animals would be best for this. (It's only a 13 gal tank. Nutrients are always low because there are no fish being fed. I don't have old photos of it. I was like a short hair algae)

Sal- 1.026
pH- 8.1
Alk- 7.5
Nit- 2.0
Phos- 0.02
 
Last edited:

SlugSnorter

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 19, 2021
Messages
3,847
Reaction score
2,511
Location
Long Island.... maybe north korea
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My rockwork is 99% algae free thanks to my Mexican turbo snails and hermit crabs, but I have had a problem with algae growing on the sand, eventually forming mats. I took out the sand for a month to work on the problem. The sand is back in and I want to prevent its return. What cuc animals would be best for this. (It's only a 13 gal tank. Nutrients are always low because there are no fish being fed. I don't have old photos of it. I was like a short hair algae)

Sal- 1.026
pH- 8.1
Alk- 7.5
Nit- 2.0
Phos- 0.02
ceriths, Nas (need feeding).
 

Smoke-Town

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 28, 2019
Messages
324
Reaction score
376
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yellow head sleeper goby.
Melanurus wrasse.
Tiger pistol shrimp.
Sand sifting starfish.
Conch.
Small horseshoe crab is probably the king here if you can find them in stock and have 6" of space between rocks and glass for them to scurry around.

I have none of these things and my sand shows it. Lol
 

SlugSnorter

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 19, 2021
Messages
3,847
Reaction score
2,511
Location
Long Island.... maybe north korea
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yellow head sleeper goby.
Melanurus wrasse.
Tiger pistol shrimp.
Sand sifting starfish.
Conch.
Small horseshoe crab is probably the king here if you can find them in stock and have 6" of space between rocks and glass for them to scurry around.

I have none of these things and my sand shows it. Lol
not good suggestions for a 13 gallon. Horseshoes are hard to care for unless you have a tank made for them
 

landlubber

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 20, 2017
Messages
1,520
Reaction score
1,359
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
routine stirring in that size of tank. i've had a little of every other option and only had good results with a Goby but you can't always rely on them to deposit the substrate back where you want it.
 

Hooz

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 16, 2020
Messages
1,631
Reaction score
1,706
Location
Heath, OH
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
A tiny conch and/or Ceriths and Dwarf Ceriths. The tank might be too small to keep a conch alive long term, so I'd probably do a dozen Ceriths and 2 dozen Dwarf Ceriths.
 

Hitchhik3r

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 13, 2022
Messages
141
Reaction score
71
Location
SoCal
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
+1 on goby but tank is a little small for one also jumpers I’m on my third
I want a Bella goby for my 75g mixed reef tank but I keep hearing how people regret them due to the constant need to clean the corals. Are diamond gobies better in that regard? Or should I just do the snails and conchs as suggested in this thread.
 

Hooz

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 16, 2020
Messages
1,631
Reaction score
1,706
Location
Heath, OH
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
I have never purchased pods before. Should the LFS have them or is there a particularly reliable place to order them?

Algae Barn is the go-to, but they are SUPER expensive. Ever since I found Jay's Reef Bugs, I've used them instead. Prices are good, shipping is reasonable and the pods are top notch.

If you're seeding them for the first time, get the 7 species blend. I used one bottle in my 10g and 2 bottles in my 30L to start. Just float the bottle to acclimate then, after lights out, turn off the pumps for about 30 minutes while you dump half of the pods in the display and half in the back chambers of an AiO tank.

ETA: I use his phyto blend too.

 

HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN UNWELCOME HITCHIKER? WHAT WAS IT, AND HOW DID IT TURN OUT?

  • Yes, and it caused a lot of issues.

    Votes: 9 18.8%
  • Yes, and it caused some issues.

    Votes: 16 33.3%
  • Yes, but I removed it before it caused any issues.

    Votes: 15 31.3%
  • No, I've only ever had good hitchhikers.

    Votes: 7 14.6%
  • No, I've not had a hitchhiker yet.

    Votes: 1 2.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 0 0.0%
Back
Top