Cleaning Algae from 3d printed guards

[arafas]

Hello,

Can somebody recommend how to clean algae from 3d printed mp40 guards. I tried soaking them for 2 days in peroxide 3%. With no luck. Also tried citric acid.

 

[Tathamet]

Bleach always does the trick for me when peroxide doesn’t work.

Especially on my ceramic co2 diffuser disks for my fw tank. You don’t want to scrub them so I have to soak them. You could see it clearing in the peroxide but it still stayed somewhat gunked up and algae would come back fairly quick.

In 50% water, 50% bleach solution (mind you, this is only a few mls of each in my situation. You could probably use way less bleach than I do) it cleans the disks right through in 10 minutes or so. Super clean and flows like new again every time. After this I always rinse them and give them a good soak in water with seachem prime for about 30 minutes to be safe.

 

[IL-Reef-A4]

I use 1cup/gallon of citric acid/water on my 3-D printed MaxSpect gyre guards and after an overnight soak all algae is easily scrubbed away. Bleach will also work - but I am always afraid of some of the bleach getting back into the tank.

 

[arafas]

Hmm ok didn't think about Bleach. Not sure if Bleach would leach in to 3d print material. Also I tried citric acid with no luck. I am pretty sure I used enough with no luck. Also what you use to scrub the 3d printed guards? Toothbrush?

 

[DaJMasta]

I use a toothbrush on most stuff, but a vinegar soak (same deal with citric/muriatic acid) is helpful for coralline and mineral buildups too.

As a general rule, algae isn't going to just melt off completely unless you use pretty potent stuff. Scrubbing is the right solution unless you can't for some reason.

 

[TheHunterYall]

Run a power head in the acid bath

 

[arafas]

I use a toothbrush on most stuff, but a vinegar soak (same deal with citric/muriatic acid) is helpful for coralline and mineral buildups too.

As a general rule, algae isn't going to just melt off completely unless you use pretty potent stuff. Scrubbing is the right solution unless you can't for some reason.

Not sure for some reason it's not coming of the 3d printed guards.

 

[EricR]

What kind of algae are you having that much trouble cleaning off?

I just use a toothbrush under sink faucet for my 3D-printed (PETG) nem gaurd and it scrubs clean easily,,, but I do it usually weekly.

For tougher stuff that's been there longer, I would've said citric acid (about a cup per gallon of tap water) but you already tried that.

 

[arafas]

What kind of algae are you having that much trouble cleaning off?

I just use a toothbrush under sink faucet for my 3D-printed (PETG) nem gaurd and it scrubs clean easily,,, but I do it usually weekly.

For tougher stuff that's been there longer, I would've said citric acid (about a cup per gallon of tap water) but you already tried that.

It's almost like turf algae. I mean it builds up overtime. I am going to try a different brush. Somebody mentioned to use Bleach with water but little afraid Bleach contaminating the material.

 

[Tathamet]

I forgot to say I’ve used the bleach on my 3D printed random flow generators as well. It’s really not too hard to get bleach off of things. Either let it completely air dry or give it a good dose/soak in dechlorinator and you should be fine.

 

[arafas]

I forgot to say I’ve used the bleach on my 3D printed random flow generators as well. It’s really not too hard to get bleach off of things. Either let it completely air dry or give it a good dose/soak in dechlorinator and you should be fine.

Ok I will try 50/50 bleach on one of the units and go from there