coraline algae bloom

[tripleup05]

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It seems like this should be a positive post, right? Well it would be, except that the algae is on the FRONT of my tank!! It wont grow on the back, but I guess why it grows on the front but not on the back is another question for another day. I'm just wondering the best way to clean it off without using my fingernail. I wasn't home much for about 5 days, and it happened in that time period. There are probably 500 little bity dots, and a bunch of fairly large purple spots. It will take a loooong time to do that with my fingernail. I tried an algae scraper, but it didnt work well, and when it did work, it scratched my glass Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[MartinE]

kent pro scraper is what I use they make one for glass and one for acrylic.

 

[jandree22]

well since you already scratched your glass, you may not be thrilled about this method... but it works. Simply take a razor blade, hold it out at about a 30-45 degree angle, and press firmly as you slide straight down your glass. Coraline should flake right off. You shouldn't have any problems with scratches unless you take a corner of the blade to the glass.

I have the Kent ProScraper. You need to apply a good amount of pressure with it, but it works well too.

Some have suggested using old credit cards to do the job... particularly because it's Acrylic-friendly, but I tried this before with dissapointing results

 

[tripleup05]

yea i was wondering if the kent pro scraper would work. i think i'll give the razor blade method a whirl. hope i dont scratch it anymore! :?

 

[jandree22]

make sure to rinse and dry the blade throroughly after you're done or it'll be nothing but rust in a day

 

[Anonymous]

Credit cards a great for "regular" algae, but I find that for coraline you need to use something a bit more "industrial."

 

[Mihai]

I used to use credit cards for the algae and it works for coraline, but not too great. I use a Kent pro scraper now and it's a pleasure. Make sure you don't pick any sand or pieces of coraline agale under the blade or you'll scratch your glass.

M.

 

[tripleup05]

I used a credit card last night. It took about an hour just to do the front! I decided not to buy a scaper, so to make sure i never spend an hour on this again with a credit card, i'll keep it in better check

 

[cklayko2000]

I have a tiger shark magnet, it works great. It's made from "rare earth magnets" what ever that means.. It takes everything off the glass including small spots of coralline.

 

[guara]

I've been used a kent pro scraper and it work's great....at least in BRASIL IT IS THE BEST YOU CAN BUY.... :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Can you turn your tank around? :lol: :wink:

 

[tripleup05]

nope! its a bow front. well, i guess i could, but it would be kinda stupid to lol

 

[tetra]

Can you turn your tank around?

ROFLMAO......

 

[Anonymous]

The reason you may get it on the front and not on the back could have something to do with how much light hits each part. I get it on my bowfront and on the two backs (its a corner) but the backs only have it in areas that catch the light.