Algae in substrate

[skae310]

I have a question on my substrate. I think its causing a nasty looking algae between it and the edge of my tank. I thought it might be just because my tank was new but its been about 5 months since the tank has been up and no mater how low my nitrates are I still seem to get this nasty algae in the sand against the glass. I think my sand size might be too big causing stuff to build up in it (mine is some kind of the larger arag-alive types) or maybe I just dont have a large enough amount of things to stir my sand up. Should I change the substrate or add more of a clean up crew?

[melosu58]

I would get some Nassarius Snails and let them sift through it. Some light vacuuming might be good also.

[skae310]

I have three nassarius already. How many more do you suggest adding?

[skae310]

Oh by the way i have a 14 gallon biocube

[Markstanfill]

Nerite snails are great too.

[skae310]

Nerites are good but i don't think they could get to the algae. Its not on the substrate, its only between the substrate and the glass. Its almost trapped there. I have to move around the sand to clean the glass there. Its pretty much just a red/brown layer of algae on the glass all along where my substrate is, but no where else. So unless they would go under the sand on the glass I don't think they could reach it. I think more nassarius could definently help stir it up but I dont know if I should just change my substrate to something smaller. I didnt look much into differenet substrates when I bought it and pretty much just grabbed what they had. I would like something more like sand than crushed shells, but i don't know if that would fix my algae problem.