Snails or blenny for algae

[huhhh]

To follow up another thread, I lost 2 blennies in the last few months. The consensus on here is that (at least the last one) starved. There is definitely algae in there, not outrageous but on the substrate and glass and rocks. The question is, if it's not enough for a blenny, are snails enough to control it?

If I can control the algae (I mean under normal-not bad nutrient level-conditions) with snails could I get another 'regular' fish? Or do I need some kind of blenny or algae grazer?

I currently have 5 cerith snails. So far my puffer has not bothered them.

This is a 46 bow tank, it has crushed coral substrate, about 8 months old. 1 ocell clown, 1 valintini puffer, 1 royal dottyback, 1 hammer, 2 zoa frags, 1 mushroom.

 

[mcgyvr]

What type of algae?
Got pictures?
Answer is different if its film algae or hair algae or bubble algae or other..
If hair algae even the length of it matters as far as what will eat it..
How about an urchin?

Many people seem to overreact about algae too..

 

[huhhh]

It's not hair, I went through that phase; or diatoms, went through that too. Definitely not bubble, seems like regular thin green film algae. I suppose the question is how much control help do I need? A handful of snails or a dedicated fish, or nothing at all?

 

[mcgyvr]

It's not hair, I went through that phase; or diatoms, went through that too. Definitely not bubble, seems like regular thin green film algae. I suppose the question is how much control help do I need? A handful of snails or a dedicated fish, or nothing at all?

I absolutely would not use fish for film algae..

Snails are best for that.. specifically cerith, nerite,astraea varieties..
Just 5 ceriths for a 46G tank isn't enough.. even if they are the larger 1-2" Florida variety..
I personally like at least 1 snail per gallon...

Its very common though to need to scrape glass every few days in an aquarium regardless of clean up crew population.. and some film on the rocks is pretty common in a new/newish tank.. Typically after 6-8 months or so film algae on the rocks/substrate should be gone mostly.. Film algae on the glass will typically be around for the life of a tank..

Do you monitor nitrate/phosphate levels?
Use RO/DI water?

FWIW.. I just picked up 80 snails for my 80G tank.. (30 zig-zags, 10 nassarius, 10 Florida Ceriths, 30 dwarf ceriths)
I have a bunch of baby limpets 30+ as well as a big mexican turbo and about a half a dozen good size astraea snails and probably half a dozen nerites too..

 

[huhhh]

Just tested a few days ago, before water change, everything (including nitrates) was inside "normal" levels.

I get water change water from LFS, and evaporation replacement water from purified jugs from walmart.

I was hesitant to put a bunch of snails in there for fear of my puffer turning them into expensive snacks. But so far he seems to be okay.

So add more snails, and get another "regular" fish...

 

[mcgyvr]

I get water change water from LFS, and evaporation replacement water from purified jugs from walmart.

^^
If you continue to have um... "excessive" green film issues on rocks/sand,etc.. that is the first thing I'd investigate/test..
Many LFS stores don't have the "best" water possible and tend to skimp on quality from what I've heard around here...
I know I'm using 0TDS water to start with...