Cleaning algae off aqaurium glass?

[Slyster]

Not really a fishing topic, but fish anyway. I have always had issues with algae (even with algae eaters) and the little patches get SO tough sometimes, I can't get them off with regular magnet scrubbers etc... so I use the green kitchen type pads.. which ALWAYS permenantly scratch the glass.. those annoying hairline scrathes that over a few years start to cloud the glass.

Any tips?

[Swimmer]

Sylster: You should be able to find, or rig up at home, the razor blade style glass cleaner. I made one for my smaller aquarium days using a disposable shaver, elec tape, and dowel.

Brown algea took over in my 75 gallon and a week ago I resorted to a chemical "safe for plants and fish"...I let you know how it works. Good luck.

[DEADhead]

slyster, I've had good luck scrubbing my tank with one of those algae brushes. looks like a toilet bowl cleaner with a light green scrubber on the end. Those magnet cleaners never do a good job. I've got a ton of snails in my aquarium, and unfortunately they don't do the trick.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Razor blades work the best.

[Slyster]

Razors! I should have thought of that.. I have even used them in the past to take stickers and paint off of dry glass. Tx guys! I can't believe I didn't ever think of using them underwater.

[Kylersk]

My 'big Whiskers' (as the kids called him) really kept the tank clean. We had him for about 4 years before he finally died. My daughter actually cried. Anyways, we got another one and hopefully he'll do just as good of a job. We only have a 10 or 20 gallon tank (gift a while back) and 4 fish or so at a time (besides the algea eater/sucker fish). I wish I knew the exact name of the fish, he works great, but is ugly as all get up.

[Slyster]

If its the kind that sticks to the glass.. they are called 'Plecostomus'.. or Plecos. Those black tough bodied angular fish... not like a catfish.. no feelers etc... really neat fish.. I have one that is almost 12'' long now.. they are great for cleaning up aqauriums.. but when the algae gets really bad.. with the types that make small black or brown spots.. they can't get that stuff off. And I have found that once they get too big.. there's not enough algae to feed them so you have to buy those sinking algae tablets.. and once you start feeding them those.. they get REALLY big... they are neat fish.

Since they can't eat those tough algae spots, that is where I had trouble.. hence this post.. but now I'll be using a razor blade to nab that stuff off.

"Bubbles"... my sons LM bass, will be a happier fish after this thread... and so will daddy.. and saving the glass on our tank.

[delcecchi]

Chinese Algae Eaters work also, as I recall.

[SomethingFishy*]

Be cautious on the amount of time you leave the lights on the tank. Also if it is near a window I would either close the shades partially during peak light or move the tank. I have 9 aquariums and there is usually no algae problems. 1 tank has no sort of algae eater (plecostamus) because the fish in the tank will kill anything that is put in there. My biggest tank sits in plain view of the living room and has about a 10 inch plecostamus and there is no issues.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

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1 tank has no sort of algae eater (plecostamus) because the fish in the tank will kill anything that is put in there.

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LOL, I used to have that problem when I kept oscars. One time I thought I figured it out and put in a big pleco with a small oscar figuring they's get used to one another. Well, as soon as that oscar got big enough, the pleco became a snack

[hoggs222]

That's odd that the oscars ate the pleco. I had 5 piranhas and they didn't even look at the pleco or corydoras that I had. They'd eat each other though. Put a nice tasty angel fish in there though and they would mess it up quick.

[Swimmer]

I read somewhere that the Plecos stop being effective as algea cleaners once they reach a certain size. Pound for pound, the Chinese Algea eaters and the Otocinclus are superior for this. Another thing to try (I just tried this and am waiting for results) is to rig your light timer so that is off most of the day when you are at work...I like it ON when I get up and ON when I get home from work until sleepy time. If your aquarium gets more than 11 hours of light/day...the algea will thank you.

[Slyster]

Timers help some.. I have for years had my tank lights turn on only when we are home.. so perhaps 5-11pm.. only 6 hours per day.. but make no mistake it still comes as thick as ever.. just not as fast.

[Swimmer]

Quote:

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slyster, I've had good luck scrubbing my tank with one of those algae brushes. looks like a toilet bowl cleaner with a light green scrubber on the end. Those magnet cleaners never do a good job. I've got a ton of snails in my aquarium, and unfortunately they don't do the trick.

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One word: Clown Loach. In one week you won't see another smail.

[Ralph Wiggum]

LOL, I tried some big snails once (1.5-2 inch diameter). Somehow, the oscar toasted them, too