coraline out of control

[LilBugger225]

Well I slacked off too long on scraping the front of my tank due to going on vacation and stuff... well now I'm paying the price. My coraline algae has spread all over the front of my acrylic tank and is out of control. It was like one minute everything was fine and the next day I couldn't hardly see in the tank anymore. I have the kent long handled scraper and managed to get most of the stuff in the middle of the tank but the stuff on the outer edges (the most neglected) just won't come off, its too thick and stuck on there. Is there an easier way to help weaken it a bit to make it easier to scrape I can do? Are there any ill effects from scraping off a bunch of coraline at once?

TIA

Erica
AKA LilBugger

 

[Jeff Hood]

I know what you mean. I did the same thing when going on vacation. I now have a ring of coraline around the edges. The kent long scraper sucks because the plastic handle is flimsy.

I am planning on getting a two way radio and have my wife guide me from the back room. Lots of work. I wish there was a more rigid scraper out there.
I may have to rent a scuba tank and go in after it.

Jeff

 

[LilBugger225]

wow jeff your tank is huge! I'm glad I don't have to scrape that! I feel stupid complaining about the front of my 75 gal getting out of control now. Yeah the kent long scraper does suck, its hard for me to get good leverage on it to get enough pressure to do any damage to the coraline. It does help though cause I'm a short chick and my stand is tall as well as my hood. Even with a step ladder I have a tough time and if I take the hood off then I have no lights. (which might be a good thing cause I burned my hand on one of my MHs today and that hurt!) If I keep the lights off for a day or two will it weaken the coraline to make it easier to scrape?

 

[texman]

I already started a post like this a few weeks ago. I have a 6' X 4' X3' high acrylic tank with 3 sides to clean. I go through Kent replacement blades like dollar bills in a titty bar (sorry if I have offended anyone - am I allowed to say titty? - I don't even frequent those type of places) I will spend any amount of money for a device which will get the coralline algae off the corners and bottem without burning out the muscles in my forearm holding onto the scraper.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't even frequent those type of places

and we're supposed to believe you? :lol:

 

[Jeff Hood]

Hey texman


Did you ever try to build a sonic cleaner? Probably would scratch the acrylic. I wish there was something else out there better for our tanks.


LilBugger225, Thanks. I think it will take me forever to get this tank full of corals and have that grown in appearance. Still looks good to me and the fish like all the room and rock.

Jeff

 

[Anonymous]

I have a hard time believing a Texan who says he doesn't frequent titty bars -a lot! 8O :wink:
Jim

 

[Anonymous]

Has anybody tried using one of these? Wallpaper scraper. Sells for under $10. All metal which would have to be cleaned in freshwater after use. Has replaceble razor blades and models are available in 3" and 4".

 

[Derek]

What I did was buy some 3/4 pvc couplings, both the straight and 45 degree ones. I then cut a slot in one end that I can slide the small Kent algae scrappers in. I left enough so that the part where you change the blade is exposed. Then I drilled 2 holes through both the coupling and the algae scrapper handle. I used 2 nylon bolts to clamp the coupling tight on the scrapper. Then I have various lengths of 3/4 pipe I use as handles. Seems to work well for me. I tried the wider Kent scrappers, but they are 4"(?) wide and my acrylic tank isn't smooth enough inside for them and they leave many streaks.

Another thing I have found for really stubborn pieces is a straight piece of pvc. PVC is really soft and wears out fast but the get a lot of force on a spot it will sometimes do the trick.

Derek

 

[texman]

Derek, that sounds like a good idea since one of my problems is that I cannot get enough leverage with the long handle Kent scraper. The PVC at least flexes less and allows more pressure at a distance. How does it work in the corners?

 

[esmithiii]

Derek,

Can you post a photo?

Ernie

 

[sparks]

I made my own scraper, just got a short length of electrical conduit about 20mm size (3/4 inch) and do a shallow cut (about 8/10mm), at about 45 degees with a hack saw, at one end. Then i simply inserted one of those single sided razor blades (i hope you get them there). These blades are much more rigid than the standard double sided ones.
The cut might have to be redone a couple times to get it perfect, just mess around a bit with it. :lol:
This works great, its rigid, cheap, waterproof, and comes in different lengths & colours, and the blade is replaceable at minimum cost.
Hope this helps.

 

[Derek]

I don't think these work as well as the Kent scrapers.

Here are 2 pictures. I use a tie wrap to make sure the [plastice blade stays on.

I hope the pictures come through:

 

[LilBugger225]

That is a good idea derek! Wow, I thought this thread had been long dead. Since I first posted I have just diligently been chipping away at my coraline buildup and am making a tiny bit of progress but it will take some time. Unfortunaltey I have an acrylic tank so normal razor blades would not work.

LB 8)

 

[Derek]

LilBugger225, I hope this idea helps.

In my last post I meant to say that they work as well as the Kent scrapers in the corners, which isn't very good in my opinion. Corners are something I have always had problems with.

Derek