Algae

[katiekelsey]

What is the best way to clean algae off plastic plants?

 

[Khuligirl93]

Let them soak in a 1:10 diluted bleach water mixture for a few hours, then rinse them and let them soak in water treated with a high dose of prime for a few minutes.
The best thing is to actually prevent algae in the first place though. Make sure your lights are not left on too long, and that you do regular water changes.

 

[xtra51]

Thanks for posting!

In addition to the above, after the soak in fresh water, make sure to dry the plants out fully. This will allow the remainder bleach, if any, to evaporate.

Thanks

 

[philipraposo198]

so to remove the algae for good is a bit of a process of the right balance in the tank, this will require a fair bit of detective work and modification to different things until the right balance is achieved. VERY HARD TO DO! but possible to reduce it to being almost non existent.

Depending on the type of algae I would say remove and bleach dip and clean well after. or hydrogen peroxide.

 

[mrvincent]

Reduce feeding, reduce lighting time, increase water changes, make sure the tank is fully cycled.

 

[Rivercats]

A lot of the time algae problems especially in fish only tanks is caused from leaving lights on too long. When dealing with algae you should only run lighting 6 hours until the problem is resolved. Then you can slowly increase the photoperiod up to maybe 10 hours depending on whether algae starts up again or not. If algae begins to re-appear then back your photoperiod down by 30 minutes.

You also didn't say how long your tank has been set up. If it's been set up less than 4 months and the algae (a picture would be helpful for proper identification) easily rubs off between your fingers and is brown or yellowish brown you are going through a normal diatom phase. Diatoms are self limiting and will go away on their own once excess silicates in the water are exhausted. In a fish only tank using a phosphate remover for 3-4 weeks will remove silicates which will in turn kill diatom growth off. If it's diatoms only run lights 6 hours.

Lastly be sure to do weekly 50% WC's to keep nutrient levels in the tank low which can also be a source for algae issues.