Fish for algae

Tremolo · #1 12/28/2007, 02:26 PM

What fish do you guys recommend for hair algae control in a 29 gallon reef? I haven't wanted to add a fish because i know it might die once all of the algae is gone but at the rate i am going i don't think that it will ever end. i have tried everything and cant get rid of it. Three days with no lights, cut down feeding from once a day to every other day, phosban, i have a fuge with cheato, and i am skimming very heavy. Nothing is working. Any ideas on fish or anything else that might help with the hair algae. I currently have turbos, nassarius snail, blue leg and scarlet hermits nothing touches it. I also have a cinnamon clown and a Falco hawk.

jor8888 · #2 12/28/2007, 02:34 PM

I heard foxface eats algaes.

brand26 · #3 12/28/2007, 02:37 PM

could be bryopsis, any chance on taking some pics?

supersantay · #4 12/28/2007, 02:47 PM

I put two Scribble Foxface in my 125 and they are doing a good job on the algae. This is in addition to the cleanup crew (Snails/Emeralg Crab/Blue-leg crab) I added.

No worries about running out of algae with them. You can suppliment Nori as well.

Fish_wiz2 · #5 12/28/2007, 02:47 PM

Do not use a foxfaxe, i just bought one and it only nibbles but doesn't eat also it killed my hammerhead coral (known to eat LPS) i would try a tang.

If you want (try out) i could sell mine to you for $35. I'll get pics later.

Tremolo · #6 12/28/2007, 03:22 PM

I just took a few pics. I only resized them.

Tremolo · #7 12/28/2007, 03:26 PM

I was thinking tang but my tank is only 29 gallons.

kawicivic · #8 12/28/2007, 03:31 PM

only fish i would put in there for algae would be a lawnmower blenny... not sure if they would work (hit or miss on certain kinds). both tangs and foxface are too big for your tank

Tremolo · #9 12/28/2007, 03:33 PM

i would really like something that looks a little nicer then lawnmower blenny.

kawicivic · #10 12/28/2007, 03:36 PM

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p....cfm?pCatId=69

black sailfin?

Tremolo · #11 12/28/2007, 03:39 PM

i could do that one... anyone seen one locally?

Fish_wiz2 · #12 12/28/2007, 04:20 PM

Try calling around someone will have it. Good luck.

Also my foxface is not for sale anymore i want to see what he can do (i just bought him so i think he was just hungry).

Shift_9k · #13 12/29/2007, 02:30 AM

U have some cyano too. What are your current params?

mksalt · #14 12/29/2007, 10:47 AM

Tremolo, Call Living Sea. I think I saw a Black Sailfin there yesterday. Not absolutely positive.

Tremolo · #15 12/29/2007, 12:28 PM

last time i check a few days ago they were:
nitate-0
nitite-0
ammonia-0
ph-8.2
phosphate-0
calcium-400
mag.-1240
alk-normal

my alk test only gives me low normal high. it is a crappy test kit. i ordered a new one from 2 part solution so i will have better results soon. the only problem with that is i noticed that i made a typo on my shipping address. of course i noticed it after it already shipped so who knows when it will get here if it ever does. I emailed them at 2 part to see what can be done but who knows.

Tremolo · #16 12/29/2007, 12:33 PM

the good thing is the house number that i put in does not exist so i am sure they will just send it back to them. I wish that i could get a tracking number so if the ups truck drives by i can flag him down and show him an id to get it.

kawicivic · #17 12/31/2007, 02:14 AM

here is another option: golden sailfin blenny

picture from dfs diver den (as long as pic stay posted it will work)

esdayal · #18 12/31/2007, 09:53 AM

My freshwater Black Molly works wonders for me picking algae from glass and rocks in my reef tank.

mksalt · #19 12/31/2007, 10:36 AM

A Molly? How long do you keep him in the reef tank? He shows no stress?

Dreefman · #20 12/31/2007, 10:58 AM

Try a blue tang I picked one up and he immediatly started eating my hair algae and now it is somwhat controlible. I just have a lilttle bit left to go and we will be all set

Tremolo · #21 12/31/2007, 11:02 AM

my tank too small for a tang its only 29 gallons. I have been doing some reading and looks like the blennys that eat algae also nip at sps and clams. Since i have both in the tank has anyone had problems with this from lawnmower or black sailfin blennys? Those are the two that i am looking at.

kawicivic · #22 12/31/2007, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mksalt
A Molly? How long do you keep him in the reef tank? He shows no stress?

Mollies can be converted to saltwater and actually do better in a system that uses salt compared to a completely freshwater. I think they probably do as well in a full blown salt system as they do in fresh.... you just have to acclimate them to it.

I had a friend that tried them for hair algae and all they did was pick at the sand and didnt touch the algae.