Algae on Glass IMPOSSIBLE to remove!!

[tamz273]

Hey guys,
I got a second hand tank and it had a cover on the back panel, so algae began to grow... Now i have the tank and i tried to scrape the algae off the back and its too stuck to the glass... how can I get rid of this algae? my tank is now open from both sides and it looks foggy from the side that used to be the back...

How can I get rid of this?

Also there are a few scratches on the glass, fixable?

[TropicalNorth]

I'm guessing you don't have water in the tank yet.
You could try vinegar, it helps loosen the algae. Don't be afraid to use plenty, just rinse it out well.

To scrape off algae I've had success with a piece of acrylic. I snapped a corner off a thin sheet of acrylic, snapping it left a sharp edge that would scrape the algae off. I don't like using anything that might scratch the glass, and any form of plastic will not scratch glass.

[excuzzzeme]

I use vinegar also on an empty tank along with razor blades but I take my time with them.

[tamz273]

my tank isnt empty though... the glass looks kinda foggy where the algae has settled...
i used a Kent razor and it took care of most of the stuff, but not these guys...

[robbob2112]

Amazingly enough, when I have algae that I have trouble scraping off with a razor I scrub it wil a hand full of filter floss... it doesn't scratch the glass and removes the algae without to much trouble ..... note that this is underwater and the algae is wet.

[tamz273]

filter floss meaning the filter pads u put in ur canister filter?

[robbob2112]

Pretty much.

[tamz273]

i just tried it with no luck... any other idea's out there?

[tamz273]

bump...?

[Ace25]

If the tank is glass, I would definately go with the razor blade method. Ya, possible to scratch it so be careful, but it is the easiest way I can think of if you have water in the tank. If the tank were dry I would say what others are.. vinegar and a plastic "brillo" pad.. they are sold with sponges, brillo pads, and dishsoap in most stores.. they are yellow/orange balls made up of plastic strips. I found them at Wal-Mart a few months ago and used them several times on dry tanks with vinegar to clean them and they work great, but I can't say how well they would work in a full tank. Couldn't hurt to try though and only a couple $ to find out.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2969648099_3a82f1a2b8_o.jpg

[Amphiprion]

For dry tanks, the razor blade/scraper method works best IMHO. I cleaned a dry 300 last week this way. It took a while (mainly because it was dirty--as in food caked on the center brace, dried algae covering everything, and some sand/dirty water left on the bottom), but it gave very nice results.

[sandsea]

i've used a credit card with MUCH success. and lots of elbow grease

[tamz273]

mine is wet though.. by razor u guys mean normal shaving razor or a Kent razor from marine depot?
also, is elbow grease reef safe??

[Amphiprion]

The Kent scrapers are ok--just flimsy, especially if you are heavy-handed. I just use a pack of 100 single-edged razor blades. They are cheap and work great. The only disadvantage is the actual area that you can scrape.

[tamz273]

I already tried a Kent blade, no luck... I hope razors are better... Also, wont they scratch my glass?

[Amphiprion]

They certainly can if you aren't careful. Just don't hold them at big angles and make sure you use a nice, clean, nick-free razor each time. Also be sure that there is no debris on the blade.

[sandsea]

i stuck my arm and my credit card in the tank-full of water- and that super hard algae i was able to remove with the credit card. i scratched mine with a razor and that's why i now use a credit card on the hard stuff. (with water in the tank)
i wonder if the prior owners scuffed up the glass and maybe it's really just scuffed up. like maybe they tried an abrasive on it?

[tamz273]

well according to the older owner, he never really touched the back... so im assuming its really hard algea.. Im going to try the credit card trick 2morow morning, but i really have a feeling it wont help... im not even sure its algea... it looks kinda like a cloudy formation of SOME substance... will a pic help?
If the credit card trick doesnt work, ill try the razor later on in the week.. I just am worried about scratching the glass... (too many scratches as is)

[sandsea]

since my water here in florida is a hard as rocks AND has tons of phosphates right out of the tap, i get crap loads of algae. sometimes i just dont want to deal with it, so errr, i get that HARD algae after awhile. anyway i now keep my old health insurance card right by the tank! i didn't want to mess up my credit card haha.
honestly though, it kinda sounds like hard water deposits. I mean it sure sounds like you tried everything. And hard water deposits… well if it’s that forget it (while water is in there) if there is ever a time when you empty it, straight lime juice is what I’ve used (sort of dissolves it I guess) or like someone said vinegar (though I’ve never used that only cuz it’s stinky. i guess this means you don’t want to put a "backround" on there and be done with it? i've even used paper for wrapping presents on one of my tanks! HAHA. it had a nice fall leaves theme & hey it was free! so now my Jack Dempsey tank has wrapping paper for backround. course i know how nice it looks when the whole tank is clean, so i sympathize with you.