How do I clean algae from my tank?

[SuriahAnderson]

I had a large algae build-up in my tank a few months back, now I was able to get most of it cleaned up, but there were a few spots, on some of my decorations and plants, where I had trouble getting it all. So I was wondering what are some other methods for removing algae that aren't cleaning or bottomfeeder fish?

 

[Flyfisha]

Hi SuriahAnderson,
You can use chemicals to help stop the algae you have that you can’t reach . It will kill the algae but may not stop it growing again in a few months time.

The active ingredients are often the same from brand to brand . The company that sells this product sells a more concentrated product at a better price for ponds.

Some companies are just buying the ingredients and watering them down to sell a cheap bottle that actually requires a lot more of the bottle to be used per 100 litres of water.

Some brands are not cherry shrimp safe. It should say on the instructions?
The active ingredient in the product I have used on many tanks with fish and cherry shrimp without an issue is Diuron

 

[Jonahtheplecolvr]

You can use chemicals to help stop the algae you have that you can’t reach . It will kill the algae but may not stop it growing again in a few months time.

A note on the chemicals that remove algae- do not overdose! I lost a expensive pleco because of that. ( this pretty much goes for any chemical but it is especially true with algae removers)

 

[SuriahAnderson]

okay, thanks for the tip. I haven't gotten any yet, but what do you suggest would be a good dose size?

 

[bored411]

okay, thanks for the tip. I haven't gotten any yet, but what do you suggest would be a good dose size?

If you can, you can do what I do. I got some APT fix which comes with a dropper and tells you on the back of the bottle the dosage. You can do this with the CO2 Booster by API as well, but instead of doing the tank itself (which dilutes the chemicals and can easily cause overdosing) use a dropper (I have a 10 gallon and it says 3ml for that for the APT) and when you do water changes and lower the water level, use the dropper to spot treat the algae spots. Let it sit for a little bit then refill your water like usual. I did this for the staghorn algae I had and it died off within a few days! Turned a reddish color first, then grey, then shrank and disappeared.

 

[Jonahtheplecolvr]

I think the dosage varies with each brand, I have only used top fin. Is should be on the back. use an eye dropper because it i usually only a few drops depending on the tank size.