I’m getting really good algae growth now, this tank has only been up 10 days, but I seeded the hell out of it.I have kept all my syciopterus and stiphodon in tanks with nice algae covered rocks.
if you don't have, put some rocks in covered transparent container outside in the sun for a few days. Seed it with tank mulm and let nature go ape.
Syciopterus seem to be a lot more aggressive than stiphs but do mellow a little as they establish boundaries to territories