Cleaning plastic plants from algae

[Innesfan]

I hold a different philosophy about algae. In an established tank, and unless it is out of control, I see it as part of a healthy, dynamic aquatic environment. I remove it only from the front glass. I leave it on the sides. the hardscape and plants. It's been a long time since I had any fake plants, but when I did--to fill in a dark corner, etc--I looked forward to it getting a coating of algae so it looked less fake and blended with the live plants. Also, my favorite species, in the genera of Nannostomus and Pethia, are all aufwuchs grazers, so this works well for them also, not to mention their fry.

 

[Burleson]

But even if you switch to real plants they still can grow algae

 

[Naughts]

But even if you switch to real plants they still can grow algae

The theory is that the plants use up the nutrients (basically nitrogen from fish and food waste), so there is less for the algae. Also if you don’t over feed and the tank is not overstocked with fish, that will reduce nutrients.

 

[Oldspartan]

We are slowly transitioning to live plants. I doubt we will ever be 100% live though. We buy high quality fakes, usually silk, a little vinyl, no plastic. For the most part they are very difficult to tell from real, although I am certain experienced people can. As for algae. We leave it on back walls unless on a see-through tank. The fake is also instant and we are but a year in so the quick look is important.

 

[Tyler777]

We are slowly transitioning to live plants. I doubt we will ever be 100% live though. We buy high quality fakes, usually silk, a little vinyl, no plastic. For the most part they are very difficult to tell from real, although I am certain experienced people can. As for algae. We leave it on back walls unless on a see-through tank. The fake is also instant and we are but a year in so the quick look is important.

I got ur point bout the look. I like the bright color of fake plants but I will get live plants as soon as I can but I need to learn how to grow em n keep em alive first