Thick algae on side of tank...how to get rid of it?

CVV1 · 06-18-2007, 10:04 PM

Would a scraper of some sort be okay? I would like to be able to see through the front of my tank lol

bomb- · 06-19-2007, 12:30 AM

I have the same problem, except for the fact that it is not that think. It's sort of spotted green dots everywhere. Mostly on the sides of my tank and the sides of the front. So I'd like to know the answer to this.

I tried using some sort of scraper (spatulas, etc) and it wouldn't come off. I literally had to use my nail and hurt myself to get just one dot off.

emc7 · 06-19-2007, 12:35 AM

Buy a floating magnetic algae scraper. They are annoying to use (takes about 10 passes), but do work. Or get a new scotch green scrubby thing, but because you need to put your arm in the tank, its a pain too.

bomb- · 06-19-2007, 12:40 AM

I have to put my arm in the tank all the time to handfeed some certain fish. Same with my brother's tank. His Black Ghost Knife is so stubborn. He won't eat unless you put a cube of Brine Shrimp right up to his face.

emc7 · 06-19-2007, 01:08 AM

I use this one:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...1&N=2004&Nty=1

CVV1 · 06-19-2007, 05:58 PM

I just used a spatula..worked pretty good actually

bomb- · 06-19-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CVV1

I just used a spatula..worked pretty good actually

Ah, well, we have different problems then.

CVV1 · 06-19-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomb-

Ah, well, we have different problems then.

I think ur stuff is just thicker....try a stiffer spatula....mine is the same as your description, spotty green.

emc7 · 06-20-2007, 01:58 AM

I've heard that "green spot" algae is the worst. There have to be 10000 varieties pf algae and they all grow in fishtanks.

Corydora_FREAK · 06-20-2007, 10:46 AM

i have small amounts of the green spot algae on the tanks and its very hard to remove until i found a razor blade, they work fantastically. DO NOT use a green scrubbing sponge, you will ruin your glass, i ruined a tank using one of those, just use a sharp razor blade as a scraper and it will work just fine.

GoodMike · 06-20-2007, 12:24 PM

kent marine makes awesome scrapers, go buy them. scrape and be happy.

**Damon** · 06-20-2007, 01:57 PM

Fix the problem, not the result.

Dr_House · 06-23-2007, 11:15 AM

How often do you change your water and how much? How long are the lights on your aquarium on? How often are you feeding and are the fish completely finishing the food? These are all things that can cause an excess of growth regardless of the type of alga you are experiencing problems with.

Your stocking levels look good, though I would add a few more head and tail light tetras, but the fact that you have so many snails leads me to believe there is a lot of uneaten food in the tank and that may be contributing to your problem. Even when algae levels are high in my aquarium, I find the level of snails goes diminishes greatly when there is an absence of uneaten food in the aquarium.

bomb- · 06-24-2007, 01:13 AM

Well, I got rid of me algae problem. I got a scraper that I bought from a Petsmart around here. It has a nice long handle (keep my hands dry) and its attached to a sort of metal scraper at the end. Works pretty good.

06-18-2007, 10:04 PM	#1
CVV1 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 16 Posts: 254	Thick algae on side of tank...how to get rid of it? Would a scraper of some sort be okay? I would like to be able to see through the front of my tank lol __________________ 20 gallon tank 3 Platy 7 Platy Fry 2 Head and Back Light Tetras 2 Fancy Guppies 4 Neon Tetras

06-19-2007, 12:30 AM	#2
bomb- Bichirs and Spiny Eels! Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 97	I have the same problem, except for the fact that it is not that think. It's sort of spotted green dots everywhere. Mostly on the sides of my tank and the sides of the front. So I'd like to know the answer to this. I tried using some sort of scraper (spatulas, etc) and it wouldn't come off. I literally had to use my nail and hurt myself to get just one dot off. __________________ My Tank (2) Bala Shark (1) Paradise Gourami [Name: Paradise] (2) Mono (1) African Knife [Name: Whiskers] (1) Headstander [Name: Bubba] (2) African Leaf Fish (1) Ornate Bichir [Name: Bobby ; Favorite] (2) Bolivian Rams (3) Assorted Corydoras (1) Peac0ck Eel [Name: Shrimp] (1) Fire Eel [Name: Chase] (1) Common Pleco (1) Vampire Pleco [Name: Dracula] (1) Electric Yellow Cichlid [Name: Electrix] (2) Oversized Catfish (2) Kissing Gourami

06-19-2007, 12:40 AM	#4
bomb- Bichirs and Spiny Eels! Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 97	I have to put my arm in the tank all the time to handfeed some certain fish. Same with my brother's tank. His Black Ghost Knife is so stubborn. He won't eat unless you put a cube of Brine Shrimp right up to his face. __________________ My Tank (2) Bala Shark (1) Paradise Gourami [Name: Paradise] (2) Mono (1) African Knife [Name: Whiskers] (1) Headstander [Name: Bubba] (2) African Leaf Fish (1) Ornate Bichir [Name: Bobby ; Favorite] (2) Bolivian Rams (3) Assorted Corydoras (1) Peac0ck Eel [Name: Shrimp] (1) Fire Eel [Name: Chase] (1) Common Pleco (1) Vampire Pleco [Name: Dracula] (1) Electric Yellow Cichlid [Name: Electrix] (2) Oversized Catfish (2) Kissing Gourami

06-19-2007, 05:58 PM	#6
CVV1 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 16 Posts: 254	I just used a spatula..worked pretty good actually __________________ 20 gallon tank 3 Platy 7 Platy Fry 2 Head and Back Light Tetras 2 Fancy Guppies 4 Neon Tetras

06-20-2007, 10:46 AM	#10
Corydora_FREAK FIENDING FOR CORYDORAS! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Middle of Nowhere, New Mexico Age: 20 Posts: 267	i have small amounts of the green spot algae on the tanks and its very hard to remove until i found a razor blade, they work fantastically. DO NOT use a green scrubbing sponge, you will ruin your glass, i ruined a tank using one of those, just use a sharp razor blade as a scraper and it will work just fine. __________________

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06-19-2007, 12:35 AM	#3
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,292	Buy a floating magnetic algae scraper. They are annoying to use (takes about 10 passes), but do work. Or get a new scotch green scrubby thing, but because you need to put your arm in the tank, its a pain too.

06-19-2007, 01:08 AM	#5
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,292	I use this one: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...1&N=2004&Nty=1

06-20-2007, 01:58 AM	#9
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,292	I've heard that "green spot" algae is the worst. There have to be 10000 varieties pf algae and they all grow in fishtanks.

06-20-2007, 12:24 PM	#11
GoodMike Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Age: 22 Posts: 548	kent marine makes awesome scrapers, go buy them. scrape and be happy.

06-20-2007, 01:57 PM	#12
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Fix the problem, not the result. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

06-23-2007, 11:15 AM	#13
Dr_House Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 346	How often do you change your water and how much? How long are the lights on your aquarium on? How often are you feeding and are the fish completely finishing the food? These are all things that can cause an excess of growth regardless of the type of alga you are experiencing problems with. Your stocking levels look good, though I would add a few more head and tail light tetras, but the fact that you have so many snails leads me to believe there is a lot of uneaten food in the tank and that may be contributing to your problem. Even when algae levels are high in my aquarium, I find the level of snails goes diminishes greatly when there is an absence of uneaten food in the aquarium.

06-24-2007, 01:13 AM	#14
bomb- Bichirs and Spiny Eels! Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 97	Well, I got rid of me algae problem. I got a scraper that I bought from a Petsmart around here. It has a nice long handle (keep my hands dry) and its attached to a sort of metal scraper at the end. Works pretty good. __________________ My Tank (2) Bala Shark (1) Paradise Gourami [Name: Paradise] (2) Mono (1) African Knife [Name: Whiskers] (1) Headstander [Name: Bubba] (2) African Leaf Fish (1) Ornate Bichir [Name: Bobby ; Favorite] (2) Bolivian Rams (3) Assorted Corydoras (1) Peac0ck Eel [Name: Shrimp] (1) Fire Eel [Name: Chase] (1) Common Pleco (1) Vampire Pleco [Name: Dracula] (1) Electric Yellow Cichlid [Name: Electrix] (2) Oversized Catfish (2) Kissing Gourami

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