Clean up Crew

[Thumper]

I have removed all my fish from the main tank and qt them from a case os velvet. My questions are how long does the main tank need to remain fishless? and I have 100 pounds of live rock in my 150 and since removing the fish i have started to see a slight redish brown algae forming. i only have 5 hermits,2 porc.crabs and 4 snails. How many of each do I actually need to help out with the algae, I know I need more but I havnt had any algae untill removing the fish. Would it help to leave the lights off for the time being? tia

 

[aquafreak]

They say that 50 snails are required for 110 gallons. Probably a bunch of other critters would be good as well.

 

[quarryshark]

My questions are how long does the main tank need to remain fishless?

For velvet, I would (and have gone) 8 weeks. It can be resilient.
I agree a bunch more turbo, nassarius and cerith snails would be great. I would also add a few blue legged hermits and maybe a couple of emerald crabs.
What is your photo period? I would keep a decent photo period, your other inhabitants need it.
What is your nitrate and PO4 levels? There are other ways to combat algae.

 

[Thumper]

Nitrate is 0-5 and po4 0 I'm going to order tonight. Thanks.