How to remove dead Brown Algae easily (Or is this something else entirely?)

Hi everyone! This is my first official post, so please feel free to let me know if there's information I'm missing that I should've included!

So I got a bloom of brown algae not long ago, and, from what I could gather: this is normal for new tanks to undergo, it's not necessarily harmful to the fish or plants (as long as you scrape it off the leaves?) and it will often go away on its own.

I was regularly using a magnet scrubber to clean the front and sides of the tank (except for right near the bottom; I have about 2-3 inches of fine sand as my substrate and was worried about it getting in between the scrubber and glass) but the backside of the tank was being neglected as far as removal of the brown algae. My Fiancee had scrubbed off a decent portion of it, but life came up before she could finish, so not all of it could be scrubbed clean. By the time we had a moment again to devote to scrubbing the backside, the brown algae had begun to go away on the decorations, and it wasn't growing all too much on the front/sides of the tank, so I didn't really bother with the backside of the tank, anticipating it to just go away like the rest of it.

The Brown Algae did continue to go away on its own, but in its place on the backside of the tank is a white residue--that's REALLY hard to scrub off! I've tried scrubbing it off with various types of scrubbing brushes but have been having very little luck in doing so. I've attached a picture with an example of the white residue--does anyone have any suggestions on getting it off? Is it even dead brown algae? Everything I can find is in relation to removal of brown algae while it's living, and I've struggled to find any mention of this white residue!

 

No idea what the white residue is, unless it's calcium deposits? I have always had a lot of success using a "magic sponge" to clean up algae, etc. in aquariums. It doesn't damage the glass or acrylic and really works well. You have to keep rinsing it out in a pail of tankwater. These sponges get used up very quickly, but that's the only downside, imo. I hope it can work for you.

 

I think that stuff is a tough biofilm. A razor blade will take it off.

 

No idea what the white residue is, unless it's calcium deposits? I have always had a lot of success using a "magic sponge" to clean up algae, etc. in aquariums. It doesn't damage the glass or acrylic and really works well. You have to keep rinsing it out in a pail of tankwater. These sponges get used up very quickly, but that's the only downside, imo. I hope it can work for you.

Thanks for the input!! I'll look into the Magic Sponge!!

I think that stuff is a tough biofilm. A razor blade will take it off.

Hmm Razor Blade may be difficult to get in those spots--but I'll try! Thanks!

 

Thanks for the input!! I'll look into the Magic Sponge!!

Hmm Razor Blade may be difficult to get in those spots--but I'll try! Thanks!

I think "Magic Sponge" is called "Magic Eraser" in the US. I find it absolutely amazing for removing algae, calcium deposits, etc. from the aquarium (glass or plastic) and also lamp, cover, filter, etc! Sometimes you need to apply some pressure and "scrub", but most the time, it is effortless. Just use as is -- add no cleaning products. Rinse it in tank water in a pail. As I wrote above, they don't last long. They begin to disintegrate. So I always have a big supply and find them very affordable.