How to get coralline algae off glass we are going to talk about this simply. One of the most common questions we’ve ever heard comes from saltwater aquarium owners asking how to remove coral algae from glass. What good is a colorful aquarium if you can’t see anything?
Coral algae are purple colored hard algae that will coat your rocks, engines and everything else in your tank if you get the chance. It is valued by many reef lovers for its natural appearance and is often grown in the back glass of an aquarium.
How to get coralline algae off glass
However, it can be tricky to remove and that’s why you need the right tools for the job. You may have heard of an algae grinder, but I can assure you that it will not remove coral algae from a marine aquarium.
When coralline algae start to grow on the glass, moving around becomes a little more difficult. The most effective method is to use a blade tool. I use a algae scraper with a retractable handle so I can get to areas that would otherwise be difficult. Be sure to rinse your blade after every use to prolong its life and prevent rust.
Removing coral algae from plastic
Coralline can grow on powerheads, heaters, skimmers, or any other device in the aquarium. These elements can be removed from the tank. They can be soaked for several hours in a 50/50 solution of water and distilled white vinegar, which will easily dissolve the calcareous algae.
I use a bucket specifically made for the items in my marine aquarium. So I know there are no household chemicals that could be potentially harmful to marine life. After a few hours of soaking, all you have to do is brush them with a toothbrush or other hard brush.
Depending on the thickness of the coralline algae, you may need to repeat the process several times. Or leave them to soak overnight so that the solution completely dissolves the coralline algae.
How to get coralline algae off glass – Dried algae
Dried coralline algae can be removed from the aquarium with a white vinegar solution, similar to removable plastic items. The most common reason for removing dried coral algae is to replace or upgrade tanks. Basically there are two ways to do this.
Lay the tank on its side and soak a washcloth in pure white vinegar. Leave the cloth on the seaweed for 30 minutes to an hour, then clean it with a toothbrush or soft sponge. If the coral algae is very thick, you may need to leave the washcloth on it for a long time.
So how to get coralline algae off glass. This was the todays main topic. We talk about this matter simply in this article. I’m going to end this article right here. See you guys soon with a new article.
