Best Algae Eater for the top of Sand Bed

[caad3]

Hi everyone, I was looking for opinions on the best animals to clean the top of my sandbed from brown algae? I have some Nassarius snails, which seem to do a pretty good job some times. My tank is 125 gallion mix of mostly fish, live rock and some mushrooms/ricordia and zoos. I have some turbo's, other various snails and some hermits.

thanks, James

 

[Deanos]

Humans doing water changes and reducing available nutrients is the best animal to reduce brown algae growing on the sandbed.

 

[Bob 1000]

Sandsifters: serpent stars, Sand stirrers: nassarius snails, more flow also... But most important what "The Linkmaster" said water changes...
Unless you've got a handy dandy Natureef denitryfing reactor...... Also your cleaning crew might need some more members..

 

[Deanos]

Serpent stars eat algae?

 

[Bob 1000]

Serpent stars eat algae?

No, but if your growing algae on top of the sand it needs to be stirred more and that's where the stars come in...

 

[JHOV2324]

Humans doing water changes and reducing available nutrients is the best animal to reduce brown algae growing on the sandbed.

Humans are not animals....

But u might want to try a conch....they move through the top layer of the sad bed....it might help..

 

[bigbris1]

I have never seen Nassarius snails eating the brown stuff on the sandbed. I do have a fighting conch that just vaccuums the stuff up. I recommend a conch or two. Aquatics Express has some nice looking ones.

 

[Deanos]

Stirring a sandbed with algae on top will kill the algae releasing its nutrients to feed the next batch of algae. :tired:

 

[pEEshEE]

I also say, fighting conch... miracle workers. Just don't get too many, or they'll starve, and then you'll have $2 hermit crabs with $8 shells... lol

 

[basiab]

I vot for the first suggestion. Preventing it from growing is your best bet.

 

[mikey3165]

sand sifting stars, nobody even said those, mine works a charm

 

[emmanuel]

I never had them but on a visit to aquatic express I saw fighting conches doing an awsome job they were just racing around sucking up the brown stuff like a vacum should have got them when they were in stock the last time I was there they were out

 

[Bob 1000]

I have never seen Nassarius snails eating the brown stuff on the sandbed. I do have a fighting conch that just vaccuums the stuff up. I recommend a conch or two. Aquatics Express has some nice looking ones.

Me neither that's why I wrote sand stirrers..:lol2:

 

[Bob 1000]

sand sifting stars, nobody even said those, mine works a charm

Sand sifting serpent stars...:biglaugh:# post...

 

[GQ22]

good flow helps

 

[basiab]

sand sifting stars, nobody even said those, mine works a charm

I have heard that they do not last long unless you have a very large tank. They clean up the sand and then they starve. How longe have you had yours.

 

[rookie07]

fighting conch did wonders on my tank(24 gl)

 

[bigyankfan]

A bullet goby, lots of snails and good flow keeps my sandbed clean and fresh as a daisy.

 

[mikey3165]

i had my sand sifting star for about a good 2 months and it is fine in my 37 gallon

 

[reefman]

i vote for a cucumber, the sand sifting ones. clean my sand great for over 1 year n never ask for a raise. :biggrin:

ps:never call in for a sick day either