Algae cleaning off back wall??

Brancho · Apr 18, 2022

So I'm a few months into this reef stuff and wondered if I should keep cleaning my back wall?? I seem to have to clean every couple of days a very light algae build up of my glass? Is that normal?

vetteguy53081 · Apr 18, 2022

Brancho said:
So I'm a few months into this reef stuff and wondered if I should keep cleaning my back wall?? I seem to have to clean every couple of days a very light algae build up of my glass? Is that normal?

Yes as long as it is receiving light
Cleaners snails help my tank with this issue:
Astrea
Turbo
Cerith
Nerite

is your tank at or near a window?

Brancho · Apr 18, 2022

Yea i have 3 turbos 4 nazzerius and 7 astreas. No no windows it's in the basement. So can I leave the algae on the back wall I've heard some ppl do?

Midrats · Apr 18, 2022

I never clean the back glass.

Garf · Apr 18, 2022

The wife does mine, I just leave it till she can’t stand it any longer.

vlangel · Apr 18, 2022

It's ok to clean the back wall but I have also had tanks where I let the back glass get completely covered. Either way works and it's up to you and what you like.

Reffetsevla · Apr 18, 2022

I'm on the side of letting the coralline cover it. LIke a badge of honor and a good indicator of tank age. The Ca and Alk it sucks out on the other hand, debatable if it's worth it lol It's completely a personal choice IMO

thatmanMIKEson · Apr 18, 2022

Only clean algae that's to long for snails to mow down, they can do the work so you don't have toooooooooooooo. (Scrubbing bubbles)

Brancho · Apr 18, 2022

Midrats said:
I never clean the

Garf said:
The wife does mine, I just leave it till she can’t stand it any longer.

Ha ha I like your style

Mr. Mojo Rising · Apr 18, 2022

I dont clean the back, I leave it for the snails.

Cell · Apr 18, 2022

Depends on your long term vision for that back wall. If you are just going to let coralline cover it, I wouldn't bother cleaning it all that often.

Nick Steele · Apr 18, 2022

I just leave mine for my snails and urchins. It’s amusing see the patterns they come up with sometimes. Also there will be a point where the algae won’t grow back there again one day.