Algae Thrives on Powerhead

[BitReef]

Why does algae (green hair algae?) grow on my Nero 3 powerheads? It doesn’t really grow well anywhere else in my tank, but thrives on the powerheads, whipping around like a flag in a thunderstorm. I clean them off regularly, but it always comes back.

 

[Dan_P]

Why does algae (green hair algae?) grow on my Nero 3 powerheads? It doesn’t really grow well anywhere else in my tank, but thrives on the powerheads, whipping around like a flag in a thunderstorm. I clean them off regularly, but it always comes back.

It is probably a species adapted to live in high flow areas like on rocks along the shore line that are being washed over by waves.

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Pull that thing out and give it a deep cleaning. See how quick it comes back after that.

 

[mfinn]

That is one thing I've never really understood about algae growing on powerheads.
Is it the clean surface and the fact they are usually high up in the tank closer to the light source?
Is there something about the chemical make up of plastic that algae likes?
I can have almost zero algae growing on anything else in my tank, but removing the powerhead and cleaning off the algae is a routine chore.

 

[One Reefing Boi]

That is one thing I've never really understood about algae growing on powerheads.
Is it the clean surface and the fact they are usually high up in the tank closer to the light source?
Is there something about the chemical make up of plastic that algae likes?
I can have almost zero algae growing on anything else in my tank, but removing the powerhead and cleaning off the algae is a routine chore.

Probably related to CuC not being able to reach it. Most CuC don’t like the high flow and won’t try to go in there to clean it. Also, it will start growing inside the pump guard and by the time it’s visible to us, it’s too long to be palpable to any CuC because they usually like to get it before it’s that long/while still film like