algea on the glass

[zxanth]

I am not sure if i am only the only one that gets these mutant algae on my glass that will not scape off. Its green and looks like a film but my large magnet will not scape it off. I have tried scraping it with a blade and even that is hard. Any idea how i can remove it or even what it is?

thanks,

[jkhudson]

Are you talking about greenstuff around the edge of the glass? Mine runs about 2 inches around the edge. Almost looks like a green version of window frost.

[Bloke]

Ghetto-Scraper 101

This is a very easy DIY project and should only take about 20 minutes or less. Granted, this tool isn't very pretty (hence the name), but it does a great job on that hard to scrape stuff you're asking about!

You will need the following parts:

1/2 inch size pvc or cpvc pipe
1/2 inch size 45° angle elbow joint (optional, but it does help with leverage)
razor blade

Directions:
Measure off and cut about a 36 inch piece of pvc pipe. You could make this piece shorter than 36 inches if you have a smaller tank.

If you're going to use an elbow, measure off a 3 inch piece of pvc pipe and make the cut.

Stand the 3 inch pvc on end and use a knife to make a 1/2 inch cut in the middle of the pvc pipe. It's easil made by placing an old pocket knife on the end of the pvc and hammered the pocket knife blade down into the pvc until it was about 1/2 of an inch deep. The trick is to make this cut with the right size blade. You don't want to make the cut too wide or the razor blade won't stay secured. Be careful!

Plug the 45° elbow joint into one end of the 36 inch pvc and then connect the uncut end of the 3 inch pvc into the other end of the elbow joint.

Place a razor blade into the cut end of the 3 inch pvc and scrape off that algae! Be very careful around the aquarium sealant that holds the glass walls together. You don't want to compromise the glue that holds your tank together! Don't push too hard, in fact you shouldn't even need to with the razor blade.



The good thing about this scraper is that you can change out the razor blade easily once it becomes dull. A 100 pack of razor blades is fairly inexpensive and should last a long time. Do not use this scraper on an acrylic tank. You will scratch the tank.

If you have a large tank and a 2" razor is too small Home Depot sells razor blades of varying length. Good Luck.

[TulsaReefer]

I use the "Easy Blade" scraper which is one that glues onto many different magnet cleaners. It's really just a bracket that hold a blade at the proper angle to scrape pretty safely. Can't remember where I bought it, it's been a couple years. I glued it onto my Mag-Float 350 and use it all the time. It's nice since it holds about a 3" wide razor blade (you do need to get the blades that go with it, but they aren't too expensive, and last a LONG time). I think I bought an extra 10 pack a couple years ago and I'm still on my second blade. You do need to remove the blade if you leave your magnet cleaner in your tank, as they will corrode, but the rest of the unit is plastic, so it's fine to leave in all the time. I also leave off the blade for light cleaning, and it still works fine that way too. I can't remember, but I think the unit was under $20. Also can't remember where I bought it, but I'm sure if you search you will find it. Again, not for acrylic, and still need to be careful around any silicone, but a real nice way to save time and effort, as I can scrape my front glass on my 110 in a few minutes, without getting my hands or the floor wet.

[aquasena1]

I second the easy blade for glass tanks. I haven't found any algae it won't remove and it will also reach under the lip of the wood trim that surrounds our tanks. I got mine from Champion Light & Supply.

[zxanth]

thanks for the advice, but i have tried to use a rasor and it still wont come out. I will try to take a pic of it. they look like blotches

[nIx_tank]

I used to get that specific kind of algae, and I agree, that stuff is tough....lol

I second the razor blade, and I would use either a razor blade or a plastic credit card.

I was able to remove it will a credit card, if you don't want metal in your tank.