Algae Removal

[MadridKid]

Hey guys, i was wondering how i should go about getting all the algae off of my main wood structure in my tank. I know its time to clean it, but i really dont want to be scrubbing it to death for a half hour. any help?

 

[RexyTexel]

You could try a bleach soaking solution. We use them all the time at my work and it's a very handy way to clean over 50 ornaments at one time!

You can do 1/2 cup of bleach per every 5 gallons of water. You don't need too much bleach so you could probably even go less than that. We usually do the bleach soak for one day and then do a plan water soak the next day. Then let them air dry and they look almost brand new!

 

[MadridKid]

wont the chemicals be released back into the water? sounds a bit too sketchy...

 

[Lotus]

If it's wood, I wouldn't use bleach.

What kind of algae is it?

Hydrogen peroxide works well, and it's much safer. It's H2O2, so it basically only contains hydrogen and oxygen (the same as water).

You can always use sandpaper if it's really tough algae.

 

[RexyTexel]

wont the chemicals be released back into the water? sounds a bit too sketchy...

Not if you soak them long enough in the regular water. It's actually a pretty common way to soak algae ridden ornaments.

 

[MadridKid]

really liking the hydrogen peroxide idea. its just standard green accumulative algae thats be growing on my main wood ornament for some time. thanks