Algae On Back\side Of Tank

[andyboy!!]

Hi I've heard you should leave the algae that grows on the back and sides of the tank. Why is this, and is there any negative impact of removing it.

Thanks
Andy.

 

[dthoffsett]

Most people are just too lazy to scrape it off the back. That is certaintly true in my case. Some people feel it looks more natural, and some fish such as african cichlids, mollies, and plecos to name a few, forage on algae in nature, so in the tank it works as a filler, and gives them something to do. There aren't any negative impacts to removing it, just the elbow grease and time to do it.