I just cant understand the reaction to the algae issue. Algae is a sign of a heathy tank with a good food source, to deal with algae you need to identify it and then introduce the animals in the correct numbers that will help out with your problem. I currently am using 6 tuxedo urchins blue, and one large orange tuxedo urchin and two long spine black urchins, I also use a pair of long pointed tongs to pull out the clumped algae and the urchins clean up the rock, now, I also have lost a tiger cowie and a 3" abalone to the sting of the long spine urchin, but, this is part of the risk in dealing with algae naturally, several fish have been spinned also but have survived, as for the algae im gaining on it but it is still some what of a problem but getting better. also your system will not be fully matured until it is close to 2 yrs old or more, so, decide what you want in the system and add what will help you. Now Im surly not suggesting you do as I do, but, algae control if you feed properly all your animals is an ongoing difficulty. hope this helps. oh and by the way algae is easier to remove as it gets longer and clumps, you wont get it all but as it grows back it will get easier and easier to remove it from the same place and if the embeded protiens, detritus at the roof line is removed by the urchins it will very gradually start to eradicate. pm me if you have any questions on this post. (the chromis fight and flick the tongs everytime I start pulling algae, they use the short turf for spawning and dont lime me messing with it.)
