Tenacious, gritty, green glass algae! - Aquarium Advice

TomK2 · 03-23-2006, 01:00 PM

I just did battle with a slow growing, green glass algae that clings to the glass so hard I am going to need an orthopaedic surgeon to get my hand back into original shape after scraping so hard.

Man this stuff is tough! It laughs at your normal algae sponge. It scoffs at the magnetic algae scrapers. It even resisted a plastic edged scraper blade. I am exhausted, and my hand is still aching from scraping.

I need some sort of ergonomic, wide scraper blade for next time. Hopefully it will be a long, long, time.

Meredith · 03-23-2006, 01:15 PM

Try these

http://www.arichard.com/en/PRODUITS_DESC.asp?ID=310626

http://www.ungerglobal.com/english/e...1d3_scrap.html

TomK2 · 03-23-2006, 02:03 PM

Can you use the metal scrapers safely on glass aquariums? I was worried about scratching the glass, or just scoring it a little, and then the algae would have a nook to hide in and laugh at me some more.

malkore · 03-23-2006, 02:49 PM

i just use a single edge razor blade. as long as you only scrape and don't cross cut, you won't damage the glass. don't try this on acrylic tanks.
Also, be VERY careful around the siliconed corners.

you can scrape it off in a single sheet if its thick enough, and then manually remove, or siphon out of the tank.

decaying algae will add more nutrients to the water, triggering more algae.

FYI, green spot algae is common in higher light tanks that have low phosphate levels. typical in planted tanks.

Meredith · 03-23-2006, 03:26 PM

I got a piece of sand stuck in my magnetic scraper and it put some small scratches on the glass

I haven't seen any green spot in them yet, but you KNOW it will work its way in there.

chabooky386 · 03-23-2006, 04:18 PM

I use my fingernails when it gets tough and it never scratches my glass

ianrich147 · 03-23-2006, 06:07 PM

strat razor works well for tuff algae

TomK2 · 03-24-2006, 09:26 AM

So I guess metal blades are ok, if used with care. Malkore, I have a non planted tank, stock flourescent bulbs for fish display only, and I am not sure what green spot algae is. But this stuff does grow in little spots that eventually get larger in area, not sheets, and really has to be scraped off. Fortunately, it is rather slow growing, so it took months to reach the point that I was disgusted with it. I left it on the back wall of the tank, I just ran out of steam scraping this stuff off. I sure hope it takes just as long to return.

I will be shopping for a good scraper. I had a 1.5 inch plastic blade for a scraper, sure took a long time!

7Enigma · 03-24-2006, 12:07 PM

I think I have this in my tank right now. Some against the glass on the left side (right next to a CF light source) and some on the ceramic pots (only on the side where this light is). Is this something I should try to remove now, or will it go away on its own safely? I have moderate light and WAY more phosphates then I should (5-10ppm), so I don't know why I'm seeing this specific kind of algae...

03-23-2006, 01:00 PM	#1
TomK2 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Glen Ellyn, IL Posts: 1,953 Images: 2	Tenacious, gritty, green glass algae! I just did battle with a slow growing, green glass algae that clings to the glass so hard I am going to need an orthopaedic surgeon to get my hand back into original shape after scraping so hard. Man this stuff is tough! It laughs at your normal algae sponge. It scoffs at the magnetic algae scrapers. It even resisted a plastic edged scraper blade. I am exhausted, and my hand is still aching from scraping. I need some sort of ergonomic, wide scraper blade for next time. Hopefully it will be a long, long, time. __________________ Tom's Tank - The web's best (only?) Motorcycling, trap shootin', aquarium site - IS BACK! With a new url. Oceanic 55+,two Fluval 404's,In-line 300W heater,Moderately planted with Polyvinylus Chloridus sp.=the only plants that last in my tank

03-23-2006, 02:03 PM	#3
TomK2 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Glen Ellyn, IL Posts: 1,953 Images: 2	Can you use the metal scrapers safely on glass aquariums? I was worried about scratching the glass, or just scoring it a little, and then the algae would have a nook to hide in and laugh at me some more. __________________ Tom's Tank - The web's best (only?) Motorcycling, trap shootin', aquarium site - IS BACK! With a new url. Oceanic 55+,two Fluval 404's,In-line 300W heater,Moderately planted with Polyvinylus Chloridus sp.=the only plants that last in my tank

03-23-2006, 02:49 PM	#4
malkore Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nebraska, USA Posts: 6,540	i just use a single edge razor blade. as long as you only scrape and don't cross cut, you won't damage the glass. don't try this on acrylic tanks. Also, be VERY careful around the siliconed corners. you can scrape it off in a single sheet if its thick enough, and then manually remove, or siphon out of the tank. decaying algae will add more nutrients to the water, triggering more algae. FYI, green spot algae is common in higher light tanks that have low phosphate levels. typical in planted tanks. __________________ Visit my aquarium pages - see specs on my tanks, and photos of how they've evolved My other passion: TheNinja 500R - updated 9/18/05

03-24-2006, 09:26 AM	#8
TomK2 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Glen Ellyn, IL Posts: 1,953 Images: 2	So I guess metal blades are ok, if used with care. Malkore, I have a non planted tank, stock flourescent bulbs for fish display only, and I am not sure what green spot algae is. But this stuff does grow in little spots that eventually get larger in area, not sheets, and really has to be scraped off. Fortunately, it is rather slow growing, so it took months to reach the point that I was disgusted with it. I left it on the back wall of the tank, I just ran out of steam scraping this stuff off. I sure hope it takes just as long to return. I will be shopping for a good scraper. I had a 1.5 inch plastic blade for a scraper, sure took a long time! __________________ Tom's Tank - The web's best (only?) Motorcycling, trap shootin', aquarium site - IS BACK! With a new url. Oceanic 55+,two Fluval 404's,In-line 300W heater,Moderately planted with Polyvinylus Chloridus sp.=the only plants that last in my tank

03-24-2006, 12:07 PM	#9
7Enigma Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 2,624 Images: 5	I think I have this in my tank right now. Some against the glass on the left side (right next to a CF light source) and some on the ceramic pots (only on the side where this light is). Is this something I should try to remove now, or will it go away on its own safely? I have moderate light and WAY more phosphates then I should (5-10ppm), so I don't know why I'm seeing this specific kind of algae... __________________ 20G High -Currently in tank: 1 checkered barb, 1 cory, 1 BN pleco, MTS, variety of platy (fry, juvi, adult), lots of plants. http://www.photolocker.net/images/7Enigma/milfoil2.jpg

03-23-2006, 01:15 PM	#2
Meredith Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 3,184 Images: 17	Try these http://www.arichard.com/en/PRODUITS_DESC.asp?ID=310626 http://www.ungerglobal.com/english/e...1d3_scrap.html

03-23-2006, 03:26 PM	#5
Meredith Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 3,184 Images: 17	I got a piece of sand stuck in my magnetic scraper and it put some small scratches on the glass I haven't seen any green spot in them yet, but you KNOW it will work its way in there.

03-23-2006, 04:18 PM	#6
chabooky386 Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 115	I use my fingernails when it gets tough and it never scratches my glass

03-23-2006, 06:07 PM	#7
ianrich147 Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: CHICAGO Posts: 107 Images: 4	strat razor works well for tuff algae

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