Blue-Green Algae In My Filter... Replace? Clean?

[ginny]

My 8 gallon Nano 180 tank came with its own filter built into the top of the tank. It's pretty efficient, but for at least a year now, it has been riddled with blue-green algae/cyanobacteria (technically not an algae which is why I didn't put this in the algae sub-forum!). I manually remove it from the media about every two weeks by rinsing it in the tank water in a separate bucket and replace it, but it quickly grows back. The main issue is that the filter is open and close to the light source, so it grows like a weed. Thankfully, it hasn't gotten into my tank, but it clogs my filter and I doubt it's good for the tank anyway.
 
My question is, should I replace the filter or try to clean it? Any tips on getting rid of this stuff? I considered soaking it in bleach but I worry about it potentially leaking into my tank and harming my plants and fish. HOB filters are my favorie and I'd rather just use one, but the tank is set up so that I don't think it's possible with the type of hood it has. I could use a canister filter but that sounds like a hecka overkill with an 8 gallon, and in-tank filters are unslightly... honestly though, I'd do anything to get rid of this grossness!!
 
And before you ask, yep, I'm 100% sure it's blue-green algae! It comes off in sheets and is a bright blue-green color. So gross!
 
Thank you!!
 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Ah, Blue Green Algae / Cyanobacteria. 
 
Thankfully i have not had this 'algae' so cannot tell you firsthand of this, however there is a good website I use for algae identification and what cause them and possible remedies.
 
http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm
 
Scroll down until you see BGA / Blue Green Algae.
 
According to that site, complete blackout over 3 or 4 days seems to be best course of action, then raising nitrate level with potassium nitrate to get levels to 20ppm - 40ppm, do test your nitrate levels first before doing this. And follow the rest of what the site says.
 
Good luck.
 
BTW i am a fan of HOB's too

 

[l_l_l]

I killed my BGA by buying a product called Blue Green Algae remover, dosed once and killed my two months old infestation.
I had a betta in there an he did fine.

I had tried Blackout method, Hydrogen Peroxide spot treatement and finally this, which solved my issue (I also made sure to lower my light period so the problem doesn<T come back.

 

[ginny]

Thank you both so much!!