Algae eating fish/critters for 40g?

[BOMPH]

All,
My tank is a 40g breeder, 36x18x16. It is not quite set up yet, stinking thing cracked when I put water in it. Anyway....

I am used to having a big tank that could accomodate tangs. What smaller fish or crabs/snails are best for cleaning up algae? I know Im gonna get it eventually. Im trying to lay out a plan/budget over the next few months. First fish will be a Percula to please the kids, but thats all they get. At the same time I will add some sort of clean up crew.

Please note that I am just getting back into the hobby after a 4 year hiatus. I am usure any newer methods/species that may have come to bear.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Mekinnik]

I have the same 40 tank and I found that the best green hair algea is the bright red scarlet reef crabs. I put some in my tank and within two weeks it was all gone. As for brown algea I would try either Cerith Snails or Nassarius Snails, they seem to like it and they also are graet sand sifters. Another good crab to get are Blue Leg Hermits, they are just general clean-up crabs. Well this is what I have in my tank and the only thing I am still trying to find is something to get rid of my cyno (still fighting that battle).. Good Luck

 

[Mekinnik]

I have the same 40 tank and I found that the best green hair algea is the bright red scarlet reef crabs. I put some in my tank and within two weeks it was all gone. As for brown algea I would try either Cerith Snails or Nassarius Snails, they seem to like it and they also are graet sand sifters. Another good crab to get are Blue Leg Hermits, they are just general clean-up crabs. Well this is what I have in my tank and the only thing I am still trying to find is something to get rid of my cyno (still fighting that battle).. Good Luck

 

[Ocyurus]

In my 46g I keep a couple of Turbo snails and a dozen and a half blue-leg hermits to hold the algae at bay, they work pretty well for me.

 

[Anonymous]

certain tangs like Zebrasoma flavescens (yellow tang) is an algae eating fish and algae blenny...those are two i can think of for fish...

 

[Anonymous]

Lawn mower bleeny is at work for me right now.
My tank was taken over by hair algae and now is receding at a fast pace. I have a fat little lawnmower blenny on my hands.

 

[Anonymous]

ohh yeah no tangs in a 40 unless they are babies and they have a bigger tank to go in later

 

[Anonymous]

i guess youre right.....