Hair algae and Puffers

[farslayer]

I have a 29G that I keep a Porcupine Puffer, Saddle Puffer and a Chocolate Chip star in. The problem is that I get a lot of algae buildup that I'm not able to easily combat since the Saddle Puffer likes to eat snails (even the big Mexican Turbos). Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I could put in there that would be left alone by the puffers yet still clean the sides of the tank?

 

[irenicus]

I can't think of any/

 

[seaslug0305]

you can put in a sea urchin w/ short needles, they are great algae eaters..we have a porcupine puffer also, and he never bothers it. ours doesnt really bother anything. if there is grass growing on ur live rock, its from high nitrates in the water..you can get some plants (we ordered the plants from here). we also have an algae blenny (lawnmower blenny) and crabs. i dont know how the other puffer will be with the crabs, but our porcupine doesnt bother them. good luck!
ps. also, try not leaving all the lights on for more than 8 hrs per day. they promote algae growth too.

 

[seaslug0305]

and a porcupine puffer only grows 7-8" in captivity!!

 

[farslayer]

Thanks for the ideas, I never thought of an urchin. The problem really comes from that Saddle Puffer, he's got that long snout that he uses to work his way around the snails' shells and bite their soft underbelly. Occasionally he picks at the star, but very rarely. I had a coupla spider crabs, but they croaked on me and I can't find any elsewhere. I'm gonna try the urchin definately!

 

[armageddon]

I've seen a porky bigger than that in captivity. They can get huge.