Thee1nOnly Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Hello everyone, I have some algae hair popping up on my LR in my 20 gallon tank. So far my cleanup crew consists of some astreas, cerith and nassarius snails and a cleaner shrimp. I'm debating on whether to add a couple of scarlet reef hermits or go with the lawnmower blenny to take care of the hair algae. I'm leaning towards getting the lawnmower blenny but I don't know if I would be exceeding my bioload since I all ready have a royal gramma and 2 false percs. On the other hand, if I get the crabs and some extra empty shells, they might go after my snails anyway?!? So should I get the crabs or the blenny? Or is there something else that I can add like a Queen Conch though I understand those can dislodge my LR? Any help is appreciated. Link to comment
Czarcasm Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I had a huge problem with hair algae and my LFS recommended a Sally Light Foot Crab. He does a pretty good job munching on hair algae all the time and he really doesn't add much of a bio-load. Link to comment
Thee1nOnly Posted September 21, 2004 Author Share Posted September 21, 2004 Been doing a little reading on that crab now that you mentioned it. Thanks for the advice! I'll see if I can get one this weekend. Link to comment
zzpw3x Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I have never had much luck with scarlett hermits living very long, but blue leggeds are great for hair algae, but they do tend to be a bit aggressive toward snails. Link to comment
cartophilus Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I have a sally lightfoot, and IMO, it's more trouble than good; aggressive little bastage who doesn't eat enough algae to warrant its troubles. Mine hates all other arthropods, so far. Link to comment
Aries Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 As for Lawn mower blenny I have on funnny as hell to watch but is very picky about what algae he will eat. So i would go with the recomendations stated above, unless you want a good laugh anyways. Link to comment
JustPhish Posted September 22, 2004 Share Posted September 22, 2004 A queen conch is out simply because it will grow much too large for your tank. The algae blenny would be a maybe, but I personally wouldn't want to add the extra bioload to the tank. If I were you, I would go with scarlet hermits or an emerald crab. There really shouldn't be much of an issue with the life expectancy of the scarlets. HTH Link to comment
scarletknight06 Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 my hermits wont touch my algae ( there a few patches of hair algae growing). i dont want to add another fish. so an emerald crab would be good? I've also noticed some bubble algae, anything that will eat this? Link to comment
Thee1nOnly Posted September 23, 2004 Author Share Posted September 23, 2004 Thanks JustPhish! Apparently I didn't do enough research on the Queen Conch... I've read it can grow up to 12 inches and you are right - that's way too big for my 20G! Now I'm debating between the Sally Light Foot and Emerald Crab. The Lawnmower Blenny is funny to watch but then again, that can get pretty big as well and I don't need the added bioload. scarletknight06, I've read that the Emerald Crab will eat algae, including bubble algae. I'm not sure if the Sally Light Foot or the Lawn Mower Blenny will eat it. Link to comment
JustPhish Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 If I had to pick out of the two choices you've narrowed it down to, mine would be the emerald. Emeralds will sometimes eat valonia as well. Link to comment
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