What are the best fish/critters for frag tanks.

[DwightKeenan]

So I am thinking of getting fish or snails ro something for my frag steup. I have two frag tanks that are 15 gallons each and a refugium that is alo 15 gallons. I have black aegg create and PVC in them and am starting to get algea.

What should I add?

I have heard a small 6 line wrasse is good......

[schneijt]

I would avoid fish such as the 6-line, as you don't want a fish that will eat pods and other microfauna in an area where you try to encourage their growth. Maybe something that will eat some algae, like a lawnmower blenny? They're not very attractive, but they have lots of personality and are a fish AND an algae solution all in one!

As far as snails, I think your standard astreas and turbos would probably be sufficient for the algae.

-Joe

[ripjohnson]

In my frag tank I keep a rock boring and pencil urchins, a molly, some scarlet hermits, some snails smaller the better.

[jenglish]

I would be careful with turbos in a frag tank. They are little dozers

[DwightKeenan]

Originally Posted by ripjohnson

In my frag tank I keep a rock boring and pencil urchins, a molly, some scarlet hermits, some snails smaller the better.

Why the urchins?

[hansmatt]

Dwight...I need to get some more in my tank...getting some film and a bit of both red & green algae...I really need to start skimming it, and add more flow...that's stage two!

[ripjohnson]

They eat coralline algae and ive seen them eat hair algae.

[DwightKeenan]

Matt,

So what exactly are you planning on adding?

Originally Posted by hansmatt

Dwight...I need to get some more in my tank...getting some film and a bit of both red & green algae...I really need to start skimming it, and add more flow...that's stage two!

[sandyk]

Be careful with the urchins in the frag tank I just caught mine eating my kenya tree. He might just a sweet tooth for them but needless to say he might be finding a new home.

[hansmatt]

probably some astra or turbos for film, and perhaps a few hermits to pick at some of the hair. The eggcrate is a challenge for them to get into. I'll have 2, 4foot 40g tanks to supply with critters, so I wish I could have gotten in on the bulk order from brad. OTP has good prices too, and no shipping, so I'll talk with Matt when the time comes.

[DwightKeenan]

Sandy, - yeah I am nervous about the urchins becuase they can plow things over too.

Matt, that is what I am thinking too. I am going to try a molly too, just for the heck of it.

[hansmatt]

I might get a lawnmower blenny as well...they do a nice job of picking...don't want to do many fish, though they certainly do a nice job of feeding the corals.

[firsthesitation]

I say no to urchins. They are notorious for various coral consumption and tend to be bulldozers when it comes to knocking corals over.

I'd say snails for sure, like Matt said, maybe a blenny or a wrasse to pick at misc stuff. Thinking about putting a cleaner shrimp into mine when I get it setup.

[ripjohnson]

Ive had these urchins for two years now haven't lost a coral. Like anything else if there is no food they will eat anything. Turbos tend to more dozing then the urchins. If you put a wrasse you will loose a vital food source.