Will anything eat brown algae?

Whats up everyone.

I'm starting to get alot of brown algae on on my LR and sand, are there any snails or hermit crabs that will eat this stuff to keep it under control?

I'm not using RO/DI water, so my phosphates are probably high right now. I can't afford to get a RO/DI unit right now, but hopefully I can add a few critters that will eat this stuff.

Thanks.

 

I like using cone head snail they do a good job.The Astraea Conehead Snail is also called the Astraea Star Snail or Astraea Snail. It is pyramidal in shape; some may have projections on the shell which give them a star-like outline.

The Astraea Conehead Snail will do well in an aquarium if provided with ample hiding places and sufficient room to roam. An aquarium with live rock is preferable so that it can graze on the algae. It will also graze on algae on the side of the tank. In addition, it eats cyanobacteria and diatoms. If it falls, it is often unable to right itself, and will need the aquarist to place it upright, again. It is sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and will not tolerate high nitrate levels.

The diet may be supplemented with blanched spinach or lettuce and vegetable-based tablet foo

 

Great, thanks for the info allaboutfish.

How many of those do you think I need for a 55?

 

well maybe about 20 to 30 of them.my 300 tank I had about 200 some of them were really tiny.this is where I got them on line cheaper then the lps http://www.etropicals.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=43&pCatId=1291
.80 per snail

 

I have 10-12 in my 40 gallon, and they do a great job!!

 

hey i'm havin the same problem and i have about 15 blut hermits........i am using RO/DI water my tank is only 11 days old so i think it's just cycling it started about 3 days ago with just a little brown on the substrate and has now moved to the LR and now coverd most of the substrate that is in the lighting.........should i just let it cycle or try and get rid of it with more inverts?

 

let it cycle ! new tanks need time.

 

ok thanks

 

also, if your tank is cycling, you may want to leave your lights off for a while. They are only adding to the problems, and not really giving you any benefit yet.

 

Steelers trouchus snails are also a good one on alge. There a little bigger of a snail but ive had them cut through brown diatom alge and hair alge like little lawnmowers. They are alge eating machines.