Algae control in fish only marine aquariums?

[Geeky1]

Hello all,

I've kept freshwater aquariums for years, but I've never had a saltwater tank. I've got a spare 12 gallon Eclipse sitting around that I've been pondering setting up with... something. I haven't actually reached a point far enough along in my pondering to settle on fish, but it'd probably wind up with one or possibly several (depending on territorial requirements and things of that nature) small damselfish. Anyhow.

What I'm wondering is, what are my options when it comes to keeping algae under control? I've never, ever had an algae problem with my freshwater tanks (probably due in large part to my insistence on using live plants), but this tank will be in a fairly well-lit location, and (obviously), being a saltwater tank, plants aren't really an option-outside of macroscopic algae.

With that in mind, and bearing in mind the fact that I am not a fan of invertebrates at *all* (with the exception of corals, but I'm not sure that those are a good idea in my first marine tank, and they sound like they require a very large time investment), what options do I have?

I suppose what I'm really getting at are two things:

One, generally speaking, if the tank is not being overfed and the water quality is good, is macroscopic algae alone enough to keep the stuff that'll grow on the glass and whatnot under control by itself?

And, are there any marine fish that are readily available, fairly tough, not prohibitively expensive as far as saltwater fish go, that will be ok in a 12 gallon tank, possibly one that will also be occupied by either one or several damselfish (or another, similarly small and hardy fish) that consume algae as a large part of their diet?

If keeping macroscopic algae or what amounts to the marine equivalent of a plecostomus in the tank isn't practical, what other options do I have? An algae scrubber is just about the only thing that I can think of, offhand, and I'm not sure how well that would work.

Any advice or insight would be appreciated, thanks.

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

One, generally speaking, if the tank is not being overfed and the water quality is good, is macroscopic algae alone enough to keep the stuff that'll grow on the glass and whatnot under control by itself?

No. There are many more microbial life forms in the saltwater aquarium than just algae.

are there any marine fish. . .that will be ok in a 12 gallon tank. . .

No.

What you're missing is some marine aquarium basics that can't be taught well in posts. You'll need to do some reading and learning about this hobby. You are, fortunately at a good place (this Forum) to gather up a lot of that information. One or two books from the book list might be a good idea, too.

It is good you are just starting out AND asking questions AND planning. That is your best approach to marine aquarium systems. This Forum has a post that lists many topics you need to read about. This 'Table of Contents' post is here: Table/Contents - Link List. Give that a look at.

But for sure you want to read these:
Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium
Fish Stocking Limit - for FO and FOWLR

The size of aquarium you currently have would best be suited to be a reef tank that didn't contain any fish. Marine fishes get so large and create so much waste that their husbandry really starts off in aquariums of 30+ gallons. Then, if you want some of the more interesting reef fishes, a 55+ should be a goal.

We use snails for algae control AND the control of those other microbes I wrote about above. You'll find links to articles on snails in the above Table of Contents link.

I hope you will find the marine aquarium keeping hobby a challenge you'd like to take!