hair algae continued

[j-cal]

I cant find the older post i had so ill start a new one.
Would running carbon (diamond brand) and changing it every day for a few weeks help better than aquarium pharm (i think its them) "phos-sorb" and "nitra-zorb"?
To prevent algae growth on the sand surface what are the best organisms for moving sand around, but not depleting the sand of life?
whats the average number of turbo/cerinth snails for a 125? I am limited to only blue leg hermits since my current number ate all my scarlets, how many of them is normal? how many sally light foot/emerald crabs would be good?

 

[bacchus_fl]

The things I have found for moving sand have been my starfish but you have to be carefull what kinds you buy. I have also had alot of luck with sea cucumbers.
I have always been told to keep 1 snail or crab per gallon. I have always tried to keep those numbers and have yet to have a problem since.
Awhile back I had an extremely bad hair algea problem that was causing my all kinds of headaches. I even went as far as to take out all my live rock and scrub them but even that couldn't slow tthe stuff down. After trying lots of otther solutions like multiple water changes, phoso spunges, reduced light, lots of crabs and snails, and god knows what else. Hell I think I even tried meditating iin front of it for awhile....lol...j/k
Anyway the best solution I ended up with were 3 large sally light foots who worked night and day for me and cleared the entire tank within a week. Only problem is I didn't realize it but they are escape artist and can very easily climb up filter over hangs and tank corner that are covered in coraline. One after another I was coming home to another dried up sally on my floor. So make sure you keep the top of the tank covered.

 

[beaslbob]

I don't like or use carbon or any of the phosphate type sponges. Being you are in LFS sales you should already know that adding plant life is the solution.
On the sand i believe gammarus will keep the sand clean.