Removing algae

[jeffro426]

I have some plastic plants in my tank that had a really thin layer of brown algae on them. I took them out a few weeks ago and scrubed them with some hot water but you still see some areas that i missed and it would take FOREVER to get them all...is there an easier way to get that crud off without rubbing each individual leaf?

[SnakeIce]

new plants? :D

if you have a bunch of that stuff in the tank some ottos might help... but they are on the delicate side and can't endure roudy tankmates

[Winnie]

Ottos are sent from heaven to remove brown algae. I've had them in all my tanks with an assortment of rowdy tankmates as well as some larger fish. Because they rarely swim in the open and tend to do their eating at night, they aren't bothered much by anyone else. I highly recommend them. Buy about one per ten gallons. They are often starving to death in stores, so you might lose a few right off the bat. It won't be your fault.

[ewok]

dishwasher?

(with no chemicals, of course.)

otos are great too, but the tankmate bit can be an issue.

[jeffro426]

Will they get along with Mbunas though??? Its not a big problem and it only resides on the plants, not really anywhere else. I though with all the picking they do at the plants they would eliminate most of it, but its still there and to me is quite unsightly.

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Its true that mbunas eat algae but they dont do a very good job at removing all of it.

Plants are getting it most likely because they are closest to the light source.

I have brown algae all over my rocks but i like the look of it.

You could change your lighting to a bulb that doesn't really help algae growth. Maybe marine-glo or something like that?

Mbunas like marine lighting.

Or you could get rid of the plastic plants and try some vallisernia, and anubias. Mbuna don't like to eat those.

Ottos won't get along with mbuna. The only algae eater i've heard of with africans is the pleco.

I have a synodontis that doens't touch the aglae. He's just a bottom feeder.

[ewok]

with mbunas i think i'd go with something a little more substantial. maybe a farlowella or bristlenose?

i like the oto's alot but they are small and shy and VERY easily harassed or eaten. they are more for a community type tank thing, really. but they can't be beat for algae.

[NJ Devils Fan]

If otos do not work, try some silk plants. I have heard very good things about them. You could just get real plants too. What is preventing you from real plants? If you get them, you will love them. They make the tanks look so much better, so much more natural.

[jeffro426]

My lighting situation is resticting me from putting any live plants in...its a 55 gallon tank with only 2 15 watt flourecents(the ones that came with the tank) and while its plenty for viewing, its nowhere near enough to grow anything spectacular. I tried some Java Fern a while back but it didnt do too well and eventually died...im assuming from lack of light as i tried CO2 and plant fertalizer. As soon as i get some extra cash laying around im going to build a nice canopy and put either 48" strip lights or CF's so that i can ditch my plastic plants and get some REAL ones.

[valerie]

Otos won't do well with mbuna, too aggresive and different water conditions. If you want a fish to eat the algae then your best bet would be a bristlenose, I have 2 in my african tank. But sometimes bristlenose plecos are the best at eating brown algae.

since they are plastic plants i wold take them out and soak them in a bleach solution. I do this with my real plants all the time and it works wonderfully for removing the algae that won't come off.

Take a bucket and fill to cover the plants(say 2-3 gals) then i would take about 1/2-3/4cup of bleach and mix it on. Let it soak for a while,probably only a few mintues for brown algae but longer for harder algae. then rinse and rinse some more. Then soak in clean water with 2-3 times the dose of conditioner. Then rinse some more.and soak another time if you are worried.

I have bleached tons of stuff from filters, rocks(nto porous ones)decorations,plants without any problems. I find it to be the easiest way of removing algae that wont' come off(i was dealing with BBA)

[Catlid]

my pleco in my african tank just sits in his cave all day, doesnt do a good job, i think im gunna fire him:mad:

[valerie]

What kind of pleco is it and what kind of algae do you have? Not all plecos eat algae and the ones that do, might not eat the kind of algae you have.

[Catlid]

common pleco, i never see him eat, but he sure has grown since i got him.

[valerie]

Commons sometimes aren't the best algae eaters, especially once they get bigger. What type of algae are you wanting him to eat?

[Catlid]

actually its a newe tank now so i dont have any algae plus i made sure to keep it away from the window, but the stuff in my other tank, man i even had a hard time getting it off. All i know is he poops a lot, i swear his poop is 3 times the length of him.

[NJ Devils Fan]

Well catlid, he must be doing somewhat of a good jogb if he has grown a lot. Plecos mainly come out at night, thats probably why you don't see him.