Algae on glass, cannot scrub off...

[CanuckReefer]

So i have had this algae type of marks on the inside of my glass for a while now. I cannot remove them with a scrub brush or my magnet cleaner.

Any idea what this is?

Pic from today - its the lighter areas on the glass just to the left of the kenya tree.

Pic of whole front from a while ago. Notice the patchy lighter spots on the glass in the middle, even though i just cleaned it.

Thanks guys!

 

[Pife]

I don't see what you are talking about but I use magic erasers with great results. Make sure you get the plain ones with now cleaners.

 

[CanuckReefer]

The chemicals in the scrub pad wont leach into my DT?

Its very hard to see in the pics, ill try to get one tomorrow when my lights go back on.

 

[AntiSatan]

DOnt use magic eraser. If its a glass tank try one of the many metal scarpers out there will probably get it. If acrylic a credit card or plastic scraper blade will usally remove harder stuff like coraline algea from acrylic.

 

[Brownflem]

Why not use magic eraser? Others say it works well...?

 

[NSimpkins]

I don't see what you are talking about but I use magic erasers with great results. Make sure you get the plain ones with now cleaners.

+1

Magic Erasers are actually a substance called Melamine foam and have been used for a long time. No chemicals to my knowledge.

 

[rdrbssr11]

The metal scrapers work fine on glass.

 

[Denbf58]

If it is a glass tank use a razor blade

 

[Teenreefer15]

beautiful tank! well done.

 

[Sk8r]

Magic eraser comes in two types. The original HAD no soaps or cleaners: it was just a microfiber sort of foam. Then they improved it to add an antibacterial agent...and you do NOT want the antibacterial one. Please be sure you have the old, original, no additives sort.

If you can get a credit card or old membership card, they work pretty well on acrylic.

There is also a new sort of algae removing magfloat that I've been tempted to try.

 

[Teenreefer15]

get a flipper glass scraper. It has a metal blade and does not get your hands wet.

 

[CanuckReefer]

Its a glass tank. I clean it regurarly with a magfloat and scrape the coraline off with a razor blade, but this micro algae is untouchable. Here is another photo of it. You cant see it straight on, but when i look from the bottom, up then its clearly noticeable. Hard to tell in the pics.

Anyways, not a big deal, just surprised i cant get it off. Almost like a snail did it to the glass or something.

 

[Secondsbest]

Is that panel of glass painted, or does it have a film or cover on its back? I'm wondering if that isn't something between the outer glass and a cover of some sort.

 

[AntiSatan]

its not a scratch on the glass of defect as find it hard to believe a metal scraper wont take it off.

 

[mluntz]

Is that panel of glass painted, or does it have a film or cover on its back? I'm wondering if that isn't something between the outer glass and a cover of some sort.

That's what it looks like to me. It looks like some water got between the film and the glass, that is if there is film on the back of the tank.

 

[CanuckReefer]

Nothing on the glass. It's just a standard piece of glass. It's weird that I cannot get it off. Maybe a defect in the glass...but I swear it wasn't always there. I use a brand new razor blade and scrape the hell out if it. Nothing.

 

[mandarin_goby]

Is the back painted or do you have a background taped to the back? Others are saying it looks like the background you may be using is sticking to some places on the glass and not to other areas. That's what it looks like to me too. Happens to me when there's water between my black background paper/film and the glass in some areas but not others.

 

[CanuckReefer]

The back panel of glass has vinyl on the outside but not the front. The front where you see te haze on the glass has nothing on the inside/outside.

It's crazy. It's like the snails etched my glass.

 

[mandarin_goby]

It's the vinyl sticking to some areas and not others...that's my bet. Try peeling it away then sticking back on..you'll see that it's lighter in areas that aren't sticking. I've heard adding a thin layer of Vaseline to the glass then adhering/smoothing the film with a credit card gets air bubbles out. Or, try drying the outside glass and vinyl and try the credit card trick. Either way, best of luck! I know it's maddening - been there!

 

[CanuckReefer]

Sorry I was confusing. I meant the back of the fish tank has vinyl. The front pane of glass on the fish tank has no vinyl. So it's not the vinyl as it wouldn't be reflecting to the front of the tank from the back.

Thanks for all the help guys, appreciate it.