Originally Posted by
AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/2729072
I really don't understand why most people 'feed the need' for an algae eating crew. You're (not singling anyone out, saying in general) more then perfectly capable of maintaining a tank without them. What's even more amazing is people actually get rid of fish they like, over the inverts.
Something is causing the algae. Too high a load, unskimming, etc. What type of algae is it? Bump up skimming (skim wetter), use RO/DI water instead of tap, increase/or add a refugium/add more macro algae, increase size and frequency of water changes, and increase flow to trouble areas.
Granted, you're going to have to some maintain, scrap the glass and siphon algae spots occasionally. My 125 has little to no inverts. Just 2 XL turbos that do nothing but post up on my Wave2k. Thanks to my Hawaiian Puffer which surprising loves meaty treats, and I have very little maintenance.
well my water quality is perfect but i am using tap. i've always used tap. i know it has phosphates in it but i havn't lost anything in my reef tank yet and it's been running for 4 years. also i havn't had a problem with algae until he started munchin on my turbo's hah. i had 5 and he knocked off one a month. I have 2 big filters, one being a aquaclear and the other is an emperor. i don't skim but i do a small water change a week to make up for it. i'm not planning on getting rid of the puffer, i like the guy. he even helps he keep one of my corals trimmed back. the algae is green algae. i just need to know what inverts are good at eatin algae and won't get attacked by my puffer.