Puffer and algae

[scubatiffy]

How do you control algae problems with a puffer? I had snails taking care of the alage, but now they've been eaten. Is there way to control algae on the sand? My mexican turbos are doing fine on the glass.
If not, my brother has another tank set up with a puffer in it. I belive a dog face. Mine is a stars and stripes. If I can't control the algae in my tank, can I mix these two breeds in the same tank?
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[cdubbs]

i have had a choc chip star in my tank for about 5 months with my coral catshark,SFE and grouper and nooone has bothered him, and within 2 hours of putting my dogface in the tank yestarday the stars legs were all bitten off. Puffers like to munch on things so i think it will be tough for any type of snail,crab etc to live with them..