Clean algae from plants for upgrade?

[sallyjano]

I have a 10g tank and am upgrading to a 60g. My plants (plastic not live) have big lumps of algae. Should I clean them before moving or will that also clean of all the good bacteria which are good for the new tank?

 

[Keflan]

The good bacteria is microscopic. Your water cycle in the new tank should form good bacteria if you do it right which means it would be safe to remove the sludge on your plant.

Try upgrading to a live plant

 

[Mebbid]

I would clean the plants off. The amount of bacteria on them is minimal when compared to the amount of bacteria that resides on the filter media. To control algae try limiting the number of hours your lights are on. 8 hours is about the most I would want to run lights on a tank for.

 

[sallyjano]

Great thanks! And yes I now realize I had the light on too long. I have bought a timer.

 

[Old Scales]

You can clean your plastic plants safely (for fish) in a 50:50 solution of hydrogen peroxide 3% and water. Let them soak in it for about 20 min. Then rinse. OS.