How Do You Clean Aglea ?

Question

From the fish tank sides without removing the water, fish e.t.c

i dont have an algea scraper.

Answer 1

If you go to the pet shop, there are fishes who actually suck on the sides of the tank. They eat the algae and will get rid of some of it, but not all.

I don't think there is a way to clean algae competely without removing the water, etc. But more plants in the tank would increase levels of oxygen --> less algae.

Metal forks maybe?

Answer 2

I just us a jay-cloth that has never been used cos if its had soap on it will kill the fish

and i just wipe the sides every week

hope this help!

Answer 3

I would just take a wash rag and wipe it. The filter will suck up any debri.

You might want to consider, if you don't have one yet, getting a Pleco. They'll take care of some of the algea.

Answer 4

get a plec or 2 they love algae.

Answer 5

if you have Freshwater Fish then buy an Algae eating loach

if you have Coldwater Fish then buy an Borneo Sucking Loach

both of these fish will help to maintain the algae in the aquarium if you have a serious case of algae then you need to look at water testing and check that the nitrate and nitrite is not too high.

(if so then go too your local aquatic store or pet store they should direct you on what step you need too do next.)

Answer 6

buy algae scrapper, use kitchen scourers, buy algae eaters, shrimps, catfish. The fish will eat the algae but produce waste that promotes algae. Solution: water change to remove nitrate (nutrients)

Answer 7

Getting an algae scraper is a good investment.

I've read that you can use a razor on glass tanks (but not on acrylic, as the acrylic scratches more easily), but I haven't tried this myself. I think that, for routine cleaning, it would be a hassle, and I shudder to place anything metallic in the tank.

Magscrapers are popular with some people. I haven't used them myself, but I have seen the results. They work very well.

Avoid cleaning sponges. Most have detergents pre-laced within them, some of which are potentially toxic to fish, and virtually all of which will be toxic to the bacterial colonies in the tank that manage waste. If you have any doubts that a sponge you're considering has been pre-treated, don't take a chance.

For a quick-fix for now, I recommend folding up some paper towels and rubbing down the insides. Try to avoid tearing the towel as much as you can. If you have a washcloth that's never been used, this would work as well, but for the same reasons above, I'd avoid a washcloth that's been washed in the washing machine.

You can purchase algae-eaters, but the problem is that no individual animal eats all forms of algae. You can certainly invest in one to help keep algae levels a bit more manageable...I and most people I know do so, but you will have to intervene personally on occassion.

Answer 8

You can buy algae control chemicals that you use about every six weeks depending if the algae returnes. The best would be to use products from Tetra or Sera.

After treating your water try to remove all visible algae with a sponge and keep your aquarium light off for 24 hours seeing that light promotes the growth of algae.

It is not neccesary to remove all of your water but rather treat your water for algae after a 25% water change.

Answer 9

don't buy a fish to do the job. buy a mag-scraper, this is the best way to remove tough algaes. things like green spot algae won't be eaten by any fish anyway, it's too tough.

get a mag scraper and make sure the tank isn't getting too much light/being over fed to cause excess algae. if you can't get to the store at the moment, provided your hand is clean and soap-free, a little bit of elbow grease will shift it for now.

mag floats like these:

http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalog...

Answer 10

the best form of cleaning is prevention, feed only what the fish will eat in 5 minutes and keep out of direct sunlight, keep the hood lights on about 10 hours a day, for now, you can take a plain white paper towel and wash it off, but you will be best to get a mag float and a fish tank scratch pad.  And be sure to do a weekly water change regiment to keep nitrates down which feed the algae even further.