Algae: Should I always have some growing?

For food for my Invertebrates, Urchin, and Lawnmower Blimey? ... And whatever else I may get that eats algae?

How many invertebrates is too many for a 150 gallon tank? I mean, at what threshold will there not be enough algae for them all to eat?

Frog...

 

You can either keep some growing, maybe in your refugium, or buy it in sheets and get a clip to put it in the tank.

 

You can also feed them the shrimp pellets that sink. Everynow and then I give them a couple and they love them. The snails come up from the sand, crabs come running off the rock, it's really cool.

 

I have over 60 inverts in my 46 gal and they have all been fine with low algae levels. I have 40+ snails (some are hitchhikers), 10+ Hermits, Two Shrimp, Thorny Star, Tuxedo Urchin, and an Emerald Crab. What I do is supplement there diet with Dried Seaweed which is better than giving them Food high in protien that add to Nitrate problems. Then occasionally I will give them a Rods food Reef Blend Treat

 

Algae is a basic and extremely important part of the marine ecosystem...

 

Not all inverts require algae, so this is tough. Also systems will differ based on available nutrients. You can grow algae pretty effectively in a refugium, unless you have a low nutrient system. Sometimes this makes things difficult. What you can do though if grow algae in a separate tank or container in bright a window. Direct sunlight will help it like crazy. Just throw some fish food in once and a while to keep the nutrients up. Or use marine algae nutrient supplements. Really no water changes or maintenance required.