Green hair algae out of water?

[PirateLove]

how long does it take for GHA to die? I have an old powerhead that has not been in the water for a month but has all this nasty hair algae on it. Can I use it in my display tank?

 

[MrHyde]

I'm assuming you'll be cleaning the power head with a stiff brush first? Once this is done you can go ahead and use it in your tank.

 

[CStrickland]

Put it in a container with enough vinegar that it's submersed while its running. After a half hour or so take it apart and use an old tooth brush to scrub out the grill, wipe down the impeller with something soft like a paper towel and use a qtip to swipe out the impeller hole. Then use the sprayer on your kitchen sink to blast the chunks out and put it into use. Then do the same to the rest of your heads one at at time (the vinegar is good for a few soaks).

All the dead algae still has the nutrients that it used to grow.. You don't want that in your tank and you ought to clean the powerheads a few times a year this way anyway.