Algae and starfish

[Kerchakone]

I ahve a 12 gallon and I have an algae bloom and I want to get something to keep the algae off the sides better cause the snails seem to prefer the rock. Is there a starfish that would do well in a small tank? The water is starting to smell. Should I just throw in some more snails? I've got one scarlet and about 7-8 blue leg and 4 good sized snails, one pea sized hitchhiker and one rice grain sized hitchhiker.

Help? My hand smells like a lake after being in the water.

[Dentoid]

Not sure if their are any hair algae eating stars? This sounds like a nutrient problem and/or flow problem. The best way to combat algae is to starve it into nonexistence. That means, lowering your nitrates with water changes, eliminating phosphate from the water using a phosphate removal media, using RO/DI water for water changes and top off and limiting the amont of food you put in the tank. Also, good flow will keep the algae spores from getting a good foothold. 12 gallons is a small volumn of water that requires strict maintenance to keep in good condition.

[dobejazz]

Are you running any carbon? that will help with the smell but I agree with Scott on the algae removal

[Kerchakone]

I think I'm adding too much food recently.

No carbon used
No phosphates
Nitrates = or <10
RODI water used only
300 GPH powerhead.

[dobejazz]

I'd run some carbon for the odor and cut down on feeding

[bigpotd]

use some phosphate removal media. Get a nylon stocking, fill it, tie it off and toss it in your sump. I use PhosGuard, stopped my first bloom after filling the tank initially using tap water (really bad idea), and never have had a bloom since. its worth the twenty bucks.

Dentoid is absolutly right. Follow all of his advice along with dobejazz.

[lcstorc]

Also what kind of snails do you have? Some prefer the rocks while some prefer the sand. Beyond this they go where the most food is. If they are staying on your rocks they are keeping the algae there in check you just may not know it.