My snails are lazy!

[Markclaster]

So I’m at the tail end of a disgusting diatom mess. I have 9 Astrea snails. They pretty much chill on the rocks. In the meantime my sand is a hot mess. And I’m starting to get actual growing flowy algae.
What do I need to add to get cleaned up?

 

[kullas]

If it's a new tank it will grow until everything equalizes out. But you still have to check for phosphate and nitrates those 2 feed the algae. If it gets big enough tufts reach in and pull as much as you can. Nutrient export is the key to keeping nitrates and phosphate down.

 

[Markclaster]

Ok. It’s a fairly new tank. (Jan) phosphate is 0 and nitrates are 5.

 

[bzb]

What size tank? For now, when you do water changes, vacuum the sand. Depending on your tank size, I'd recommend something with a long rigid tube like this:

Amazon.com

Future state, snails don't really do sand. Tiger conchs stay relatively small, but again, depends on tank size. Could also do a sand sifter like gobies.

 

[Markclaster]

What size tank? For now, when you do water changes, vacuum the sand. Depending on your tank size, I'd recommend something with a long rigid tube like this:

Amazon.com

Future state, snails don't really do sand. Tiger conchs stay relatively small, but again, depends on tank size. Could also do a sand sifter like gobies.

It's a 36gal bowfront. I've got one of those I'll give it a try