Tool for manual removal of algae

[mdaniel2882]

I am currently fighting an algae problem that I consider massive but others would consider moderate. It is in my sand bed. what do I use to manually remove the algae from the sand bed. A vacuum doesn't seem to do a good enough job and a turkey baster gets clogged with sand quickly. I know the problem and it has been corrected but I will not allow my tank to look bad for even a day.

SG 1.024
PH 8.3
NH4 0
N-ITE 0
N-ATE <5
PHOS 0 (now)

Since I have corrected the phosphate and overfeeding problem how long should it take until I see the red and green algae go away.

BTW - I now see how 0 nitrates is possible

 

[mermaid8]

I have one of magnets that you can get from the pet store. mine is called the maga float but there are other brands nextag.com have them for 7.99 to 10.99.cleaner. i relly like mine. i hope this helped.

 

[godslayer]

Personally I just rake my sand bed, it doesn't get rid of it but it makes it look loads better

 

[thincat]

NH4 is Ammonium. Do you mean ammonia, NH?

 

[CaptainAhab]

Many test kits provide NH3/4 results as well as solely NH3. It's what allows you to get an accurate reading even though you are using a product like Prime. Free vs ionized, toxic vs not.

What's NH?

 

[roka64]

I think he just forgot the "3".
I would look at getting some sand sifting inverts like nassarius snails. The bacteria (cyano) and algae should burn off if the excess nutrient problem is resolved in a day to a few days.
I have not had success with additional water flow to the area once the cyano had taken hold, but once I got rid of mine, I did add additional flow to alleviate the dead spots and that helped.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

...what do I use to manually remove the algae from the sand bed. A vacuum doesn't seem to do a good enough job and a turkey baster gets clogged with sand quickly. ...

I'm guessing you're talking about cyanobacteria in your sand bed? If so, just use a siphon hose and siphon the cyano out, along with the sand around it. Only way to get it out is to take some sand with it.

 

[Zer0]

Well actually, i have found that you could use something like a fish net.. or something with holes that are fine enough to let sand through, but nothing else. This is what i used to get alot of junk out of my tank. I just skimmed the sand with a fish net and absolutely everything that wasn't sand, got caught in the net. You could try this..?