Is algae a sign of a healthy tank?

[goodgreef]

Happy 4th all,

I noticed quite a bit of new green algae on my glass which hasn't been as prevalent before. i do weekly water changes. Would this indicate I may have a problem or is this normal with a healthy tank?


Tanks,

goodgreef

[Skyhigh]

time for more snails for you.

[goodgreef]

Skyhigh,

Thanks for the response. It seems I'm buying 15 or 20 snails every couple of weeks. I find quite a few dead ones as a result of being turned over. I watch them pretty close. Maybe I'm buying too many varieties as opposed to one type. I do have starfish and crabs that may be part of the "snail tipping".

goodgreef

[Mike]

I believe trochus snails are capable of righting themselves. I would try those.

[EMUreef]

I believe trochus snails are capable of righting themselves. I would try those.

you are correct. turbo snails i never really see fall off the glass.

[Sir Patrick]

I beleive there are a few algeas out there that are a sighn of a healthy reef- but many that are sighns of an unhealthy/dirty reef. Even the healthiest of reefs will grow some algea, just needs kept in check with a decent clean up crew.

[iyachtuxivm]

Do you put phyto in your tank. I do and get that film algae on the glass every few days too. When I dont use it I dont get the algae.

[MizTanks]

Do you put phyto in your tank. I do and get that film algae on the glass every few days too. When I dont use it I dont get the algae.

Ditto with the phytoplankton algae

[Skyhigh]

I believe trochus snails are capable of righting themselves. I would try those.

the black foot Trochus snails are the best, but some times hard to find.

[jimsflies]

I've seen crabs attack snails that are trying to write themselves. They are pretty vulnerable when flipped over and I think the crabs see it as a double bonus...they get a potential new home and escargot.