how to cleanup algae
- Thread starter goheels1
- Start date
well the thing is what kinda orniments are they? if they are poruse or clothike fake plants the algea will stain them after it has attached. and sometimes bleach wont work to kill it all off unless u let it soak in it which can then leech out into the tank if u don't do a good job at getting the bleach out. for me the saffest way i have found to kill all algea is to just take straight hot water from the tap and let them soak for 10-15 min. then scrub them a little to get most the excess off. then whats left the fish will peck at. But i truely belive this is the best bet at safely removing algea. there can always be a mistake with using chemicals.
I have always used that Clorax Clean up spray and never had any problems - even with flower pots. Bleach apparently dissipates on its own is left to dry and especially if you can set things in the sun, but usually I just rinse it really well in very hot water. It will take the color off of some decor.
I'm kinda anal about chemicals around my tanks lol. i even use cling wrap over the top of my tanks when i clean the outside of the glass. so i stay away from bleach. it's my own view on it of course and it's one of the nice things about this forum. u can get 100 different ideas and choose what u prefer 
Another option is hanging a black out curtain behind the tank or peice of spray painted cardboard which will make your tank look nicer too. if you dont want to cover the entire window, do it halfway down.
preventing is easier than fixing the problem, and no matter how many times you clean it it will always come back. time is better spent enjoying a clean tank over agonizing over cleaning it
preventing is easier than fixing the problem, and no matter how many times you clean it it will always come back. time is better spent enjoying a clean tank over agonizing over cleaning it
I also have a tank that gets a lot of sun. I always boil my larger decor and rocks. The cheap plastic or fabric plants I replace every 6-9 months or so. The sun works wonders for regulating the temp of my tank, I don't use my heater much at all. But the algea can be a pain. Try to keep your blinds shut when you're not home.
Yep, my 55g sits up against a window too.
I made a background out of dollar store blue cellophane (like) wrapping paper and then backed that with aluminum foil. Looks pretty good and definitely helps reduce the algae.
I've got three Siamese Algae Eaters that I absolutely love and various inverts in the tank too.
Still have to do some manual work to remove algae.
I made a background out of dollar store blue cellophane (like) wrapping paper and then backed that with aluminum foil. Looks pretty good and definitely helps reduce the algae.
I've got three Siamese Algae Eaters that I absolutely love and various inverts in the tank too.
Still have to do some manual work to remove algae.
One thing to remember, algae is a plant, and like all plants it requires light \ Co2 \ nutrients to grow. You cannot do alot about Co2, but you can block the light, and you can remove the nutrients. Algae loves Nitrates, performing larger water changes, or feeding less will help diminish it.
If you're crafty, you could use an algae scrubber to help prevent it from growing in your tank also. There's a long thread about them here: http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/fre...inate-green-hair-bubble-turf-slime-algae.html
Essentially you make a habitat that the algae prefer's, plenty of oxygen, the right kind of light, water flow to bring spores and nutrients to the habitat for the algae to grow in.
As far as removing it from your existing ornaments, hot water, a tooth brush, and inverts are probably the best.
If you're crafty, you could use an algae scrubber to help prevent it from growing in your tank also. There's a long thread about them here: http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/fre...inate-green-hair-bubble-turf-slime-algae.html
Essentially you make a habitat that the algae prefer's, plenty of oxygen, the right kind of light, water flow to bring spores and nutrients to the habitat for the algae to grow in.
As far as removing it from your existing ornaments, hot water, a tooth brush, and inverts are probably the best.
Clorax Cleanup in a spray bottle works very well. Spray it on, leave it for a few minutes and then rinse it off. (Rinse, rinse, rinse with hot water) I just did all four tanks today - I rarely have to scrub at all, but if it is serious (and I haven't done it for awhile) I use a tooth brush or a soft plastic scrubber thingy. I have been doing this for years with no problems. Obviously on your glass you will have to scrape. I use one of those stiff sponges.
Thyra, stupid question on my part, but when you say you did all 4 tanks with Clorox, do you mean decor that was removed from each of these tanks?
So I shouldn't have sprayed Clorox into my tanks to remove algae? (I'm kidding!)
I love my siamese algae eaters so much, I picked up a third for my 55 yesterday, $3/ea. They're real peaceful and active.
So I shouldn't have sprayed Clorox into my tanks to remove algae? (I'm kidding!)
I love my siamese algae eaters so much, I picked up a third for my 55 yesterday, $3/ea. They're real peaceful and active.
