Good Way to Get Algae Off Glass

[Haligren]

This is probably such a newb question but I seem to have a lot of little algae spots growing on the glass in my tank. I have a pleco but he's still kinda small and can only eat so much. I tried scrubbing it off but algae's pretty tough. Should I try using a razor blade or something?

 

[BettaDragon]

They make these magnetic scrubbers that work really well but I don't like to use them because they make a lot of noise and I think they stress the fish a lot. At my work's fish tank we had terrible algae but it got all cleaned up once I loosened what I could, changed the filter, and started getting the tank on frequent water changes.

 

[fishyfan]

Razor blade will be fine, just make sure its clean...

 

[Haligren]

They make these magnetic scrubbers that work really well but I don't like to use them because they make a lot of noise and I think they stress the fish a lot. At my work's fish tank we had terrible algae but it got all cleaned up once I loosened what I could, changed the filter, and started getting the tank on frequent water changes.

Great. I'll do that in conjunction with a clean razor blade to scratch what I can off the glass. My tank's about due for a water change anyway.

Thanks, all.

 

[cwazy]

what size tank? you can always add in another pleco... i have found these guys to do wonders

 

[project1]

i dont like the magnetic ones cuz the felt sometimes peels up and the glue stuff streaks on the tank and its a pain to get off! i just use a brush sponge thing and a normal dish like sponge to get it off it all depends on your tank size too i got a 55 gal with 200 gal of filtration so i rarely have problems now lol

 

[Haligren]

what size tank? you can always add in another pleco... i have found these guys to do wonders

It's a ten gallon. Pleco's get big too. I really don't want any more fish in this tank. The pleco we have no is doing a good job of keeping the algae down over all, but there's still the odd algae that sticks to the glass. :>

 

[Spooki]

turn off the lights, get it away from direct sunlight (if it gets direct sunlight at any point in the day). unless you have live plants you really don't need to always have the aquarium light running for fresh water fish.

as for getting off what you have an algae scrubbing pad will do wonders, it's best to get it off while it's fresh. the longer it sits there the harder it is to get off. they do make algae scraping blades which aren't as sharp as razor blades so you don't have to worry about cutting yourself or scratching the tank.

that pleco will more than out grow a 10 gallon tank, good luck with him. otocinclus do a better job of algae eating and only get to be an inch and a half, as opposed to two feet.

 

[fishyfan]

that pleco will more than out grow a 10 gallon tank, good luck with him. otocinclus do a better job of algae eating and only get to be an inch and a half, as opposed to two feet.

x2

 

[elnott]

i love otocinclus cats. when i do not have cichlids i keep them in my 55 gallon tank. it only takes 2 of the little buggers to get the job done. there are a couple plecos that stay small as well. the clown and the spotted rubber nose plecos only get about 4 inches.

 

[Haligren]

turn off the lights, get it away from direct sunlight (if it gets direct sunlight at any point in the day). unless you have live plants you really don't need to always have the aquarium light running for fresh water fish.

as for getting off what you have an algae scrubbing pad will do wonders, it's best to get it off while it's fresh. the longer it sits there the harder it is to get off. they do make algae scraping blades which aren't as sharp as razor blades so you don't have to worry about cutting yourself or scratching the tank.

that pleco will more than out grow a 10 gallon tank, good luck with him. otocinclus do a better job of algae eating and only get to be an inch and a half, as opposed to two feet.

Interesting. I'll look into getting one of those contraptions then. And the tank is in a basement so it doesn't get much natural sunlight at all except for certain times of day when sunlight may shine down the stairs (it's at the foot of the stair case) from the kitchen windows. I figured I didn't need the light on all the time so it goes off when I don't feel like looking at my fish.

And I know plecos get huge. This one was a gift for when I first got the tank. Over the years, I'll be upgrading my tanks as I have the money. Right now my three fishies seem to be getting along just fine. The pleco is currently almost four inches and my goldfish are just a bit bigger.

 

[froggz]

You have goldfish and have algae? How much are you feeding your fish, and on what schedule? Since light isn't an issue have you tested your water lately? Large pet stores usually do it if you don't have a test kit. A partial water change would be a good idea. How often do you do partial water changes?

(Whoops! Just realized that I misread the last post's date! Sorry, just finished a 12hr shift lol!)

 

[Baoh]

Additional options are snail choices and Amano shrimp, although the latter are highly susceptible to predation by other creatures in the tank due to their small size.

 

[kiss1069]

Keep your light on a timer so itll go on maybe 2ce a day and not all day long...i have mine set to light up in am and pm for about 4 hrs each time and no algae probs...as for snails i strongly recommend against them as they will multiply...even if you get just one you will get more unless its snails you want to keep

 

[Baoh]

Keep your light on a timer so itll go on maybe 2ce a day and not all day long...i have mine set to light up in am and pm for about 4 hrs each time and no algae probs...as for snails i strongly recommend against them as they will multiply...even if you get just one you will get more unless its snails you want to keep

There are snails that aren't hermaphroditic, so they do not multiply quickly. They do not multiply at all if you choose only one sex.

 

[Camladd]

apple snails are amazing, i have three and now have no more algae problems and my tank is always in direct sunlight,, the only problem is theyr greedy and sometimes eat plants and for some strange reason love uncovered filter sponges