corraline algae on Acrylic - Need opinions

[wyang76]

Hi,

What is the best way to remove Corraline algae from an acrylic tank.

I have seen some pretty expensive algae removers (ie: Magnavore, Alge-Free, etc.). Do they work? I am terribly afraid of scratching the acrylic tank. I've heard some people say they do not work well on Acrylic tanks.

Also, what about the long Kent plastic scrapers? Do they scratch acrylic tanks?

thanks for the input.

 

[Mcain Bwood]

warm water little vinager and a plastic scraper. Oh yah and alot of elbow grease.

 

[stormquest2112]

I think that the Kent scraper works well if you can get it at the the right angle. My Kent doesn't work because of the bad angle, but if you don't mind getting your arm wet an 88cent plastic putty knife from Home Depot works great for me and doesn't scratch the acrylic.

 

[JeffersonReef]

Here is an interesting product... I was considering getting this myself:
http://www.therme-at.com/products.htm

with my tank, I just let it grow all over the back wall as well as the wall that faces the side wall.... I just keep the front glass and the side glass that are visible. Looks pretty good if you ask me. HTH. GL.

 

[wyang76]

McCain,

I don't think I could add vinegar to a running reef tank.

I really don't want to stick my hand into the tank to clean the algae.

 

[JeffersonReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9628742#post9628742 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wyang76
I really don't want to stick my hand into the tank to clean the algae.

LOL. Not to be discouraging... but if you dont want to "put your hand in the tank"... you might be in the wrong hobby! Now, if you say that cuz you dont want to contaminate the water (wtih soaps, lotions, etc)... I understand that. Buy aquagloves from marine depot.

But if you just think that its gross or too much work... scraping algae and so forth... then this is not gonna work out. I cant tell you how many times I have ended up with a mouth full of salt water... or had to pluck out a dead snail/crab/fish/anemone.....
(just my humble opinion)

 

[bromion]

I find that regular cleaning with a magnetic pad will prevent coraline from growing. Go over it 2-3 times a week and it will stay algae free. There is always a chance of scratching the acrylic, so make sure there are no little rocks or sand in the cleaner. Regular cleaning with any algae brush (like a pad on a stick) would also work for prevention.

To remove light coraline, try a pad and repeated rubbing. Tough stuff... the above advice is good.

 

[cthetoy]

Buy the Scotch Dobie pads from Target or Walmart. Take out the sponge and insert your magnet inside. Doesn't scratch the acrylic and removes most of my coraline.

 

[Bergovoy]

BUT, have you ever sucked up a dead snail crab or anemone in your mouth???


EWWWWW That would be it for me, I can barely do sushi, no less disintegrating anemone....


uggghhhh

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9628899#post9628899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JeffersonReef
LOL. Not to be discouraging... but if you dont want to "put your hand in the tank"... you might be in the wrong hobby! Now, if you say that cuz you dont want to contaminate the water (wtih soaps, lotions, etc)... I understand that. Buy aquagloves from marine depot.

But if you just think that its gross or too much work... scraping algae and so forth... then this is not gonna work out. I cant tell you how many times I have ended up with a mouth full of salt water... or had to pluck out a dead snail/crab/fish/anemone.....
(just my humble opinion)

 

[JeffersonReef]

lol. If I had, I wouldnt admit it! Even worse.... dying xenia!? LIVe xenia smells aweful... cant imagine sucking some of that up. NEWay.... you get the picture. this is not a hobby for nancys!

-TJ

 

[Bebo77]

use a new kent pro scrapper.. thats what i use on coraline and have never had a scratch...

 

[SBJim]

Ditto on the Kent scraper. Just be careful near the sand: I scrape downward only.

For the sand line, I use the Kent-on-a-stick. And for places I can easily reach with my hands I use a cheapie little plastic scraper. Go to Premium Aquatics' site and check out the 99-cent CPR scraper.

Oh, and ditto on the mag-float too: I only get coralline in the places I don't use the mag (rounded corners and sand line).

 

[fixmgood]

On the Kent scraper,turn the blade over every now and again,it keeps it even and sharp.

 

[wyang76]

Thanks all,

I meant I did not want to stick my hand in the water for fear of contamination.

I guess the consensus here is that the magnetic algae scrapers don't work well on acyrlic tanks.

I wouldn't mind the Kent scraper except my acrylic tanks has a large brace around the top. Hard to angle the scraper.

 

[glaudds]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9630248#post9630248 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fixmgood
On the Kent scraper,turn the blade over every now and again,it keeps it even and sharp.

Ditto on the kent scraper. Sanding the blade perpendicularly on a flat surface gives a nice edge also.

I also use old gift cards and plastic hotel keys on acrylic also, cheap and disposable!