How many SAEs for a 150 tank?

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...
I purchased 3 SAEs (that's all that my LFS had). Do I need more? I
also
have
5 Chinese Algea Eaters.

Since no one is biting, let me rephrase. I would like to know if 3 SAEs
(siamese algea eaters) are enough to keep a 150 gallon tank, algae
free. I
also have 5 chinese algae eaters, but they don't do much except harass
other
fish. Anyone know?

Dan

Your question is too open-ended. I've seen large mature tanks which are
almost completely algae free (not uncommon for well planted tanks), and
I've seen algae farm tanks sitting in direct southern exposure. Your 3
SAEs would not starve in the first, and would not be of any significance
in the 2nd.

In a 150g, perhaps you should consider some diversity (no algae eater
eats every type of algae, and they all have their preferences). Other
algae eaters of consideration are (to just name a few) mollies, shrimps,
snails, otos, flying fox and the various pleco (bristlenose being a
favourite of mine). Which to employ will depend on the type of algae to
have (and you almost always have the type of algae that no fish in there
wants, or you would not have it ;~). With a large tank, it's good to
have more than one species on your clean up crew (diversity = greater
stability, the beauty of big tanks).

NetMax