Snails

[Drew Shark]

I have had the problem with algae on the front of my acrylic(I have to scrape it every other day) and I was thinking of getting a turbo snail. Any better ideas?

 

[Clifford]

What are your phosphates, nitrates, and temp

 

[BeanMachine]

Yeah, snails won't really solve your problem. They will help, but you will just end up with a maze pattern on your glass hehe and you'll still need to give it a cleaning.

 

[Clifford]

It kinda looks like fo painting with a sponge. Its more fun with an algae eating tang that leaves lip prints in it hehehe.

 

[Puffalicious]

It kinda looks like fo painting with a sponge. Its more fun with an algae eating tang that leaves lip prints in it hehehe.

I love those lip prints, especially from a blenny lol

 

[Drew Shark]

Well I have a Yellow, Powder Blue and Blue Hippo Tangs and they will only eat algae off the back of the tank. I don't want all the algae gone I just want something that will help some. Phosphates I don't test for but would be almost zero since that's one of the things the ATS target, nitrates=15ppm, and temp is 80.5 year round on my controller.

 

[Clifford]

In that case, get cerith or astrea snails they will primarily clean your glass.

 

[lowbudget]

cliff i have those they also leave a maze. no matter what you still going to have to clean the front pane. i have to clean it every 4 days. test your p04 and see what it is i notice high p04 clean tank more. low p04 clean tank less

In that case, get cerith or astrea snails they will primarily clean your glass.

 

[danagui]

I have the same problem and i get the maze patters....i usually have to clean my glass every other day

 

[Clifford]

cliff i have those they also leave a maze. no matter what you still going to have to clean the front pane. i have to clean it every 4 days. test your p04 and see what it is i notice high p04 clean tank more. low p04 clean tank less

Your right they will leave a maze. He was looking for a bandaid fix. Honestly you could put a 1000 snails in the tank and they will still miss spots. With the nitrates at 15 and temp at over 80 your destine for algae blooms. I am sure the phosphates arent lower than .o8 combine that with the nitrates and temp you get dirty glass. In time without action things will get worse.

 

[ajn81]

I'd vote for cerith and nerite snails. They both do a pretty decent job of glass cleaning, but yeah won't get it all of course.

 

[lowbudget]

snails only help but not a fix. still going to have to clean the front pane. i agree cerith and nerite snails live longer and will help.

 

[Drew Shark]

snails only help but not a fix. still going to have to clean the front pane. i agree cerith and nerite snails live longer and will help.

I am not trying to eliminate the cleaning it's just that I spend 30 minutes every other day scraping the acrylic. It's not a lot of algae it's just that it's hard to get off. I would just like something that helps a little bit.

 

[danagui]

Sea slugs are pretty useful

 

[lowbudget]

then yeah cerith and nerite snails are the ones they dont knock over frags too

I am not trying to eliminate the cleaning it's just that I spend 30 minutes every other day scraping the acrylic. It's not a lot of algae it's just that it's hard to get off. I would just like something that helps a little bit.

 

[overbored]

when was the last time you changed your bulbs. When the spectrum changes, it can encourage algae growth. You may try to cut back on the amount of time they are on. Also try to put more water flow to the front glass.

 

[Drew Shark]

when was the last time you changed your bulbs. When the spectrum changes, it can encourage algae growth. You may try to cut back on the amount of time they are on. Also try to put more water flow to the front glass.

I changed them in March.

I just got home with the Ceriths. How long should I acclimate them for?

 

[BeanMachine]

I changed them in March.

I just got home with the Ceriths. How long should I acclimate them for?

Inverts are more sensitive... I would drip for 2 hours.

 

[Drew Shark]

Inverts are more sensitive... I would drip for 2 hours.

Too late I'll try that next time, I just put them in 20 minutes ago.

 

[BeanMachine]

Too late I'll try that next time, I just put them in 20 minutes ago.

Don't get me wrong I've just temp acclimated and quickly added snails in the past as well with no problems.