Turbo snails are the best critter to eat algae IMO. But, the most important and best thing to do for the tank is fix the issue that caused the algae. Probably over feeding and lack of husbandry. What all is in the tank? What equipment do you have hooked up to it (skimmers, filters, power heads etc)
To get rid of algae you have to get rid of its food...phosphates. The rock and sand are probably loaded with fuel for the algae and untill that is removed it will continue to be an issue. Give us a run down on everything and well work to a solution!
Be patient and well get it worked out. To do it right will take time but it will be best in the long run.

Robert

 

i agree.. toss up a picture and fill us in a bit more...
the phospate would be food for it.. manully taking some of it out ( the long algae) is a good idea too.

 

Turbo snails are great as are emerald crabs for hair algae, but I agree, the water probably is loaded with phosphates, I would do massive RO/DI water changes and give it a couple of weeks to see if the algae dies off.

HHC

 

Yep. Huge water change will help. Turbo's Rock! Odds are tank was left to fend for itself if algae is that bad. Some TLC is probably all it needs.

 

She admitted it was a little neglected. She also had about 190 watts of compacts lights right over the tank, which to me seems like quite a bit with a 26 gallon tank, which is like 7-8 watts per gallon I believe?

As for whats in there... my pair of clowns, about 5 little hermits, my huge hermit, about 7 snails now as far as live stock. The corals are a few greenish mushrooms, a candy cane, some brown and green zoos, these little hairy looking polyps. I'll throw my emerald in there when I can find the little SOB.

Equipment wise, I lowered the light output to about 60 watts or so right now (she kept her light), It has a protein skimmer, and 2 powerheads (she gave me 3 extra, so if I need more, I can put those in too).

As far as the sand you can see redish algae and those long stick looking worms in it, which might help get rid of some of the algae? The tank is about 30-36" long, and the sand is about 2" deep. I dont know if thats excessive or not.

She had a "refugium" in the tank, on the side full of algae. she said she believed if she had algae there, it would only grow there, and not in the rest of the tank. Apparently she was wrong lol.

ITs not a bad little set up, it just looks dirty and algae ridden! I was close to just throwing out everything inside and starting fresh, but thats my last resort.

Thanks everyone...

 

And everything was $60... So I guess you get what you pay for lol.

 

I agree with Robert & Tim Turbo snails will eat eat eat! and some big time water changes!!
Brent.

 

I put my huge hermit in the tank, took away the black background, and added my filter from my 10 for extra filtration. I also started pulling off the longer algae. Its looking much better in just one day. Hopefully this keeps up.

Are there any fish that eat algae? I thought I remembered there being some fish or inverts that plow through algae. Besides the snails and crabs.

 

A lawnmower blennie! That's what I was looking at before. Saltwaterfish.com said they "mow" through algae and they're peaceful. I should give that a shot, yeah?

 

yea

 

read more about lighting i think u have a misconception about lighting requirements and measurements,,, but you should be some what ok with your current low light corals...

 

How's that? I was told there should be 3-5 watts per gallon... Is that not correct? 7.3 watts per gallon just seems like a lot to me. And I do plan on getting more lights, I just have a make shift set up right now. I've seen some 30" set ups with about 135 watts or so. There are a lot with like 180 for not much more, but it just seems excessive. But maybe you're right and I'm wrong.... I wouldn't be surprised lol