Conchs in a reef tank

[SINNERMF]

My LFS got in small Queen Conchs and Fighting Conchs last week. The guy working told me that they are great in a reef tank except that they can be bull dozers. I am getting a bit of an algae problem and read that they do a good job cleaning it out.
Opinions and experiences please.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[greenbean36191]

Queen conchs get too big for all but the biggest tanks. Fighting conchs get fairly big as well, but IMO are ok for tanks 75 gal and up. They do eat algae, but it's mainly diatoms and cyanobacteria that they are after, so if you're trying to get rid of something else, skip them. They also tend to stay on the sand, especially as they get bigger.

 

[SINNERMF]

Any advise on what to get to get rid of algae?? Lettuce Nudis and Sea Haires, I'm affraid will get sucked down my drain. I've never had much luck with Emerald crabs. Hermit Crabs, it takes too many of them to make a difference. The only thing I've ever had a lot of luck with was a Rabbit Fish, and my LFS never gets them!!! Even if I request one.

 

[greenbean36191]

Without knowing what kind of algae it is, I can't recommend anything that would eat it. Personally though, if you're having a problem with algae I would look for the root cause of it rather than a grazer of it.