Is algae really undesireable?

[macphoto]

I see a lot of posts here regarding algae... how to get rid of it, how to keep it from coming back, etc. I'm wondering... if I want to have a Yellow Tang, and also want a bunch of interesting tank cleaners (hermits, snails, etc.), is algae necessarily a bad thing (since these guys like to eat algae)? Or, are these posts just referring to algae that is completely overtaking the tank?

Will a good refugium prevent any algae from growing in the main tank?

--Mike

[Mahlhavoc]

Well yes, most are talking about bad algaes, hair algae etc. .

If you have tank cleaners, you probably wont have to worry much about it, they will keep it in check.

Yes, a refuge would help in control also, plants here are unmolested and can out compete the algae in main tanks for food. Also you can feed your Tang and other stock with pruning your refuge, not even accounting for the animals in the refuge that feed the tank.

Hope this helps.

[macphoto]

Yes, thank you!

--Mike