Why are my fake plants really dirty???? - Aquarium Advice

Polaris_Rider · 09-15-2006, 09:10 AM

I have a 55 gallon frshwater tank and the fake plastic plants in it always get really dirty and it's really hard to scrub all of it off. Is there something i can do to keep them clean or do they all do this??

lmw80 · 09-15-2006, 09:56 AM

That's algae. Looks like black beard maybe? Not 100% sure. I would take the plants out and give them a good cleaning.

Jchillin · 09-15-2006, 10:09 AM

I agree. In the 2nd pic you can see it growing on your plumbing. BBA is really tough to remove...hard scrubbing of all of your equipment may work since they are not porous.

How long has your tank been set up?

Polaris_Rider · 09-15-2006, 10:56 AM

it's been set up for about 3 years know. i used to have 2 large oscars but i got rid of them becuase they where getting to big know i just have some bala and ID sharks, yoyo loahes and 2 plecos. but i always do a regular cleaning but the algea or whatever it is comes back very fast like if i clean it today in about 3 weeks it's all back again.

Jchillin · 09-15-2006, 11:04 AM

Under those circumstances, it would be a good idea to get at the cause of the algae.

How much light does the tank have?
Is it near a window?
How often do you do PWC's and what is the %?

Alshain · 09-15-2006, 12:00 PM

I agree, get at the cause of the aglae, but for an immediate solution, plastic plants can be cleaned easily with a bleach solution or a quick dip in boiling water. Anything that would kill the algae since they are not succeptible to death like a live plant.

Polaris_Rider · 09-15-2006, 03:13 PM

well first of all the light in my aqaurium is on day and night, and yes it's near a window but hardley any sun shines through that window, and what is PWC's???

jcarlilesiu · 09-15-2006, 03:32 PM

PWC's are partial water changes... removing old water and replacing it, please also tell us the percentage of water and how often you do this.

If i read this right, you say your aquarium lights are never off... that is probably a big part of the problem.

Polaris_Rider · 09-15-2006, 03:42 PM

i take out about 30 - 40 % percent of the water every 3 - 4 weeks, and yes my lights are never off

Jchillin · 09-15-2006, 04:22 PM

The recommended amount of time for lights to be on to prevent/deter algae is about 10-12 hours per day.

I would recommend doing water changes (PWC's) once a week. Your algae problems will be history if this is done.

09-15-2006, 09:56 AM	#2
lmw80 Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bristol, Pa Posts: 4,805 Images: 40	That's algae. Looks like black beard maybe? Not 100% sure. I would take the plants out and give them a good cleaning. __________________ -Lori Join the Eastern PA/Greater Philadelphia Forum! Click here: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/groupcp.php?g=7825 Aquariums are like jello - there's always room for more.

09-15-2006, 10:09 AM	#3
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,976 Images: 47	I agree. In the 2nd pic you can see it growing on your plumbing. BBA is really tough to remove...hard scrubbing of all of your equipment may work since they are not porous. How long has your tank been set up? __________________ _________________________________

09-15-2006, 11:04 AM	#5
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,976 Images: 47	Under those circumstances, it would be a good idea to get at the cause of the algae. How much light does the tank have? Is it near a window? How often do you do PWC's and what is the %? __________________ _________________________________

09-15-2006, 03:32 PM	#8
jcarlilesiu Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 713 Images: 5	PWC's are partial water changes... removing old water and replacing it, please also tell us the percentage of water and how often you do this. If i read this right, you say your aquarium lights are never off... that is probably a big part of the problem. __________________ 56 Gallon freshwater planted w/ 396 Watt HQI & T5 Catalina Light, Fluval 305 Filter, Pressurized CO2 Stock:15 Blackline Rasboras, 2 Rainbows, 3 SAEs, 6 Dwarf Rainbows, 1 Mono, and the mysterious shrimp I see twice a year. Plants: Jungle Val, Dwarf Sag, Red Tiger Lotus, Amazon Sword, Java Moss, Water Sprite

09-15-2006, 04:22 PM	#10
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,976 Images: 47	The recommended amount of time for lights to be on to prevent/deter algae is about 10-12 hours per day. I would recommend doing water changes (PWC's) once a week. Your algae problems will be history if this is done. __________________ _________________________________

09-15-2006, 10:56 AM	#4
Polaris_Rider Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 16	it's been set up for about 3 years know. i used to have 2 large oscars but i got rid of them becuase they where getting to big know i just have some bala and ID sharks, yoyo loahes and 2 plecos. but i always do a regular cleaning but the algea or whatever it is comes back very fast like if i clean it today in about 3 weeks it's all back again.

09-15-2006, 12:00 PM	#6
Alshain Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 807 Images: 4	I agree, get at the cause of the aglae, but for an immediate solution, plastic plants can be cleaned easily with a bleach solution or a quick dip in boiling water. Anything that would kill the algae since they are not succeptible to death like a live plant.

09-15-2006, 03:13 PM	#7
Polaris_Rider Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 16	well first of all the light in my aqaurium is on day and night, and yes it's near a window but hardley any sun shines through that window, and what is PWC's???

09-15-2006, 03:42 PM	#9
Polaris_Rider Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 16	i take out about 30 - 40 % percent of the water every 3 - 4 weeks, and yes my lights are never off

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