How to remove algae from silicone???

[bzboy]

Is there a easy and safe way to remove algae that has been growing on the silicone covering the corners? Thanks

 

[plah831]

use a scrubbing thing (mitt, pad, wand, etc.) designed for aquaria.

 

[sumthin fishy]

make sure your hands are clean. Dont use any soap as this will harm your bio-filter. Use your fingernail to scrape it off. In the future, reduce nitrates to starve algae so it wont grow.

 

[tai95]

The best thing I have found to clean the corners of a tank is a toothbrush. The bristles are strong enough to remove the algae, but soft enough to not harm the silicone.

 

[boofish2]

Try to keep your light off as much as possible and keep the tank away from the window sill. Too much sunlight will encourage algae growth. Also depending on your tank size Siamese Algae Eaters are sooo great -- always busy, always eating algae! So cute too!

 

[plah831]

The best thing I have found to clean the corners of a tank is a toothbrush. The bristles are strong enough to remove the algae, but soft enough to not harm the silicone.

on this note, what do you guys think about using dish scrubbers for cleaning aquaria (inhabited)? I know kitchen sponges are often loaded with anti-bacterials and anti-mildew stuff, but what about the spongeless-scrubbing pads, or dish brushes?

Also do the chemicals from the sponges come out into the water? I've used those before, not knowing that they were bad. My fish didn't seem to suffer any harm, though.