I have been scraping a lot of algae off the tank glass recently and just noticed that I have also got algae growing inside the clear 5/8" diameter hose going from the tank to the cabinet below and the hose going into the tank from same cabinet. This growth is supported by room flourescents maybe 12 hours per day. Is this something that will get worse and maybe restrict flow or will it also disappear as my nutrients balance out better or will it just be a visual problem only? Do you have this too?
Algae inside clear hose; a problem?
- Thread starter TomFromStLouis
- Start date
We use a Python at work and the growth in the hose has never been a problem. I guess I'd be careful so that the algae doesn't die and then get's pushed back into the aquarium, but you can always take a bristle brush to get the ends and if it's really bad you can soak it in bleach and then a dechlorination bucket.
I bleach em also that black stuff scares me plus it stinks.
I've never used a declor on it after just let it dry.
I've never used a declor on it after just let it dry.
It clean all tubes and hoses as needed. I don't think you'll get enough growth to slow flow, but it is ugly. I take mine and scrub the ones I can, then pour oxyclean intot he hoses, shake it around to distribute, then soak in a sink of hot water for an hour. A good rinse and they are sparkly clean again.
a near hit
I appreciate all the responses, but except for Oriongirl, I think you missed my gist. These are the hoses which are permanently attached to the canister filter and I am not really interested in tearing everything down to clean them if I don't have to. In other words, if the flow is secure, maybe I should just cover the hoses in one of those computer cord organizer things. This is for an office show tank.
Anyone ever use those cord organizer things to neaten up the hoses and electircal lines etc.? If nothing else, it would cut off the light into the hose and keep algae form growing there....
I appreciate all the responses, but except for Oriongirl, I think you missed my gist. These are the hoses which are permanently attached to the canister filter and I am not really interested in tearing everything down to clean them if I don't have to. In other words, if the flow is secure, maybe I should just cover the hoses in one of those computer cord organizer things. This is for an office show tank.
Anyone ever use those cord organizer things to neaten up the hoses and electircal lines etc.? If nothing else, it would cut off the light into the hose and keep algae form growing there....
I use zip ties to keep everything in a bundle, but I like being able to see into the tubes. On the SW system, the snails will sometimes climb into the tubes, and this restricts the flow a lot. If you don't have anything that could similarly clog your hoses, I see no reason not to put them in a conduit of some kind. You'll want to check them once or twice a year, but that shouldn't be a big problem.
Go ahead an cover them up. Just leave the last 3-4 inches where they attach to the filter uncovered so you can see what's going on in there. Good luck!