How to avoid build up of this

[johnnyenv]

Hi,

I find myself having to get some serious elbow grease going after about 4 days on the glass from this stuff. Its green/brown ish and with a magnetic blade it simply won't budge. You HAVE to get your hands in the tank and apply pressure behind that blade to get it off. And a lot of pressure at that!

I'm using the medium sized Flipper Algae magnet.

What exactly is this algae and how does one prevent its growth. Its always at my substrate level and in the corners where the silicone is. Is this a flow related issue?

Thanks

 

[shaggydoo]

That normally builds up in the corners and edges because the magnets just can't get every spot on the edges. You should purchase a handheld scraper. I found a great one on amazon that uses standard double edged razors as replacement blades and is stainless steel so won't rust. Just pop in a new blade each time (they are super cheap).

Went and found the link of the one I bought so you can see what I'm talking about. With a sharp blade, this type of algae on the glass will scrape right off.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DSWXC3I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[cloak]

A credit card will work too. (or something like that)

 

[johnnyenv]

If my blade doesn't do a great job without pressure I don't hold much hope for a credit card!

 

[cloak]

Your probably doing it wrong.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The flipper is pretty good scraper.

It’s quite possibly a corraline algae.

 

[johnnyenv]

Your probably doing it wrong.

I'm not being funny but you don't exactly have a lot of options when it comes to scraping. It works on light algae. Its just these (as pictured) spores.