cleaning algae on glass

[saixiong08]

just wondering how do you guys keep the back side of the tank clean from algae? It's recommended to add about 1-2 lbs of live rock per gallon. What if the rocks are stacked in the back of the tank? What do i do if the rocks are leaning on the glass? would moving the rock and any corals out of the way to clean to tank do any harm to them?

 

[Joey waid]

Snails.

 

[melypr1985]

just wondering how do you guys keep the back side of the tank clean from algae? It's recommended to add about 1-2 lbs of live rock per gallon. What if the rocks are stacked in the back of the tank? would moving the rock and any corals out of the way to clean to tank do any harm to them?

It's best not to stack the rocks against the glass anywhere in the tank. Besides blocking your ability to clean it (if that's what you want) it can also create dead spots in the back where detritus can build up since the flow can't really reach back there.

 

[saixiong08]

i've heard some people don't clean the back glass, is this a good idea or no?

 

[Joey waid]

i've heard some people don't clean the back glass, is this a good idea or no?

I never clean any of mine, it makes good food for lots of critters.

 

[melypr1985]

i've heard some people don't clean the back glass, is this a good idea or no?

I also don't clean mine. I like the look of coraline algae a a backdrop. it's pretty. Some people just like the clean look of a clean background, so they scrape all that off.

 

[saixiong08]

How long does it take for the coralline to grow on the back?

 

[Shawn.B]

I also don't clean my back & hardly ever clean the sides if you are maintaining your nutrient levels your snails should keep everthing maintained

coalline growth will depend on many factors every tank is different, IMO the 1year mark is when coralline starts to creep in

 

[ahiggins]

i've heard some people don't clean the back glass, is this a good idea or no?

I also dont clean the back wall. I have a cube with a rock wall basically. I put 2 power heads hidden behind the rocks to eliminate dead spots because I knew I would never get back there.
Moving the rocks to clean would create more problems than solve, in my opinion. Whenever I move mine-theres always a ton of detritus built up and that could create an unnecessary spike.
As for coralline-I had all live rock and I started seeing spots on my back glass at about 7 months. I scrape off the coralline that grows on the front though.

 

[saixiong08]

Ok thanks a lot

 

[Delta1389]

My coralline grows fairly quickly. Tank is almost 9 months.

 

[Lowstorm]

I clean my back glass. I have a skinny 10 year old who can fit back there to use my magnet cleaner. When He's not around I have a big handled scrub brush that does wonders.

 

[Brad Bessett]

I don't have rock against the back glass but still leave it alone for snails to clean up. Plus I also like the look of the corraline buildup.

 

[BlueCursor]

I clean mine, but I was raised by a clean freak mother.