Tricks for algae on glass

hopperjl16 · Mar 31, 2016

I'm not sure the name of this type of algae, it grows on the glass in flat tiny specks. Bright green color, and VERY stubborn to rub off. It doesn't brush right off with my mag float like the dusty-type algae. Are there any tricks to removing it other than a scrubber and elbow grease? I'm worried I'm going to end up scratching the tank with how hard I have to scrub to get it off. Here's some pics. Hard to focus on it since it's on the glass and tiny.

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ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1459465762.287349.jpg

chefjpaul · Mar 31, 2016

Coraline; Razor blade

Fin · Mar 31, 2016

I incorporate a quick pass with my magnet cleaner with my daily feeding/maintenance routine. Takes only a couple minutes (on a 140) and I never have to use a razor blade on my glass anymore.

hopperjl16 · Mar 31, 2016

chefjpaul said:
Coraline; Razor blade

Interesting! That never occured to me bc of it being green. I was wondering if a razor blade would do the trick.....

Thanks!

hopperjl16 · Mar 31, 2016

Fin said:
I incorporate a quick pass with my magnet cleaner with my daily feeding/maintenance routine. Takes only a couple minutes (on a 140) and I never have to use a razor blade on my glass anymore.

Yeah I got a tad lazy on the mag float.....however I always got a nice bloom of copepods whenever I let a little of the dusty type algae grow on the glass so I did have a slight reason behind my laziness. Prob better to just keep up with the cleaning though....

TheEngineer · Mar 31, 2016

I use a Tunze magnet cleaner. It works great on that tough stuff even with the plastic blade. I used to tackle that with a straight razor, but having to put my arm in the tank to clean it was a pain so I didn't do it nearly as often as I should.

DED65 · Mar 31, 2016

I use a Mag Float and when doing a water change, I use a Mr. Clean magic eraser to get the tough stuff. It works great.

rjl45 · Mar 31, 2016

For some small spots, scrapping it with your fingernail works. Obviously I wouldn't want to scrape an entire tank, but a a couple spots is easy. Razor blade works great, just take it slow and careful to avoid scatching the glass.

Homer Allman · Mar 31, 2016

Use a mr clean magic eraser. Those things work miracles. I use them all the time on my acrylic tank.

ngvu1 · Mar 31, 2016

I use the flipper. Depending on your tank size pick the right size and you will love it. I have tried a few different ones but the flipper is by far the most effective one so far.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...d_t=201&pf_rd_p=1944687642&pf_rd_i=B00MZCU0P6

Homer Allman · Mar 31, 2016

I also have a flipper, but the plastic blade wore out quick. I filet a piece of magic eraser and put on it on the wet side of my flipper cleaner. It works better than the stock pad.

ngvu1 · Mar 31, 2016

So you glue the magic eraser to the flipper?
I have had mine for a while. It was in my acrylic tank then now glass tank. I love how fast it removes the coral line algae. I was giving up on removing that on my acrylic tank until I found the flipper. I am more impressed with the flipper on glass tanks than in acrylic tanks btw.

Homer Allman said:
I also have a flipper, but the plastic blade wore out quick. I filet a piece of magic eraser and put on it on the wet side of my flipper cleaner. It works better than the stock pad.

Homer Allman · Mar 31, 2016

I do not glue it. I just place it on there and the magnets hold it. You have to take it more easy so you do not pull it off. It works well. If you use the magic eraser with a hand scrub it cleans so well you will say where as this been. My tank is deep so giving it a hand job is not so easy. haha

hopperjl16 · Mar 31, 2016

The Mr. Clean magic eraser doesn't have chemicals in it to worry about?

Homer Allman · Mar 31, 2016

No they do not. I read this tip last year some time. It was a thread on one of the reef boards about it. They kick some serious butt on hard to remove algae.

Fin · Mar 31, 2016

Also, if you opt for using the razor blade, I would suggest using only brand new single edged blades. You can scratch your glass if the blade has even the slightest bit of damage to the edge. And, of course, be very careful with the blade around the silicone on the inside of the tank.