figuring out algae...

[MaloK]

When used properly, they definitely don't scratch the glass. And nothing more satisfying than a brand new blade cutting through that algae like butter. The fish like it, they try to eat the scraped off algae that floats away lol

But since it's an algae thread....

I have that filla"mental" green invading sticky string thing...

That compares to a blimp, it floats in middle water and tries not to touch anything... when young if you touch it it sticks like glue and extend for kilometres. The blimp end out filing the whole space, whatever the size. But it never touches anything. Getting older it gets rough and strong. But every bits that sticks somewhere dies..

I'm playing with this for a couple month. And it's possible to use new sprouts to stick it where you want it and leave it catch there. All you need is a very slick tool. Polished bamboo works best.

 

[anewbie]

Have you tried out the razor blade scrapers? They're really effective for getting the hard green crusty algae off the glass. I find they work way better than any scrubber type scrapers. And, the blades are replaceable once they get dull or dented. Some even have extendable options for those of us too short to reach the bottom of larger tanks (like myself with my 135g lol)

If the blade gets pushed back or the metal rim o the scraper hits the glass then they will scratch; the trick is to make sure that only the blade touch the glass. Given the size and cost of my aquariums i won't use them or any metal scraper; instead I use a plastic scraper (with plastic blades); luckily i get very little hard green algae and mostly soft stuff.

 

[MaloK]

If the blade gets pushed back or the metal rim o the scraper hits the glass then they will scratch; the trick is to make sure that only the blade touch the glass. Given the size and cost of my aquariums i won't use them or any metal scraper; instead I use a plastic scraper (with plastic blades); luckily i get very little hard green algae and mostly soft stuff.

Stainless steel is a lot softer than glass, you really have to insist with a spiky rolled edge to do damages.

I tried plastic and become porous and can catch sand grains... But they are good for snail removal.

The foremost thing. It requires only one clean pass.

 

[jaylach]

When used properly, they definitely don't scratch the glass. And nothing more satisfying than a brand new blade cutting through that algae like butter. The fish like it, they try to eat the scraped off algae that floats away lol

I agree that blade scrapers are safe on glass tanks but I would not use on acrylic.

 

[MaloK]

I agree that blade scrapers are safe on glass tanks but I would not use on acrylic.

It's technically the first tool you'll hate to master. But when you show a noob how to bring a bow front like new in 20 minutes...

You feel like...

 

[Magnum Man]

this is something I'm trying...

it looks really dark, but you can't hardly tell, when they are on the tanks... the right half of the tank pictured below, is heavily shaded with pothos vines, growing above the tank, the left half has a 12 inch by 8 inch piece of the dark tint plexiglass, close to the left side, over the anubis... you can barely tell by looking, but i'm hoping it does the same as the floating plants in another tank, for preventing algae from growing on the slower growing anubis, recently added to the left side...

 

[Magnum Man]

I ended up using 2 pieces, one each, on two different tanks, both to protect anubis that don't particularly do well with bright light...
it also helps to have an algae eater, that will work over the plants... I've found zebra Oto's to be particularly good at that...

 

[jaylach]

I ended up using 2 pieces, one each, on two different tanks, both to protect anubis that don't particularly do well with bright light...
it also helps to have an algae eater, that will work over the plants... I've found zebra Oto's to be particularly good at that...

I would never advocate getting fish just for algae control but I love Panda Garra anyway so it is a win/win as they are one of the best for algae control even eating black beard.

 

[anewbie]

I would never advocate getting fish just for algae control but I love Panda Garra anyway so it is a win/win as they are one of the best for algae control even eating black beard.

Yea and panda will eat bba; oto/most pleco don't really eat algae as much as the biofilm...

 

[CassCats]

I would never advocate getting fish just for algae control but I love Panda Garra anyway so it is a win/win as they are one of the best for algae control even eating black beard.

Nahhhh you grow the algae FOR them they look great and it's fun to watch garra and their relatives nom on the surfaces. I know i get a kick out of my Bruce doing it.

Garra are underrated fish

 

[anewbie]

Nahhhh you grow the algae FOR them they look great and it's fun to watch garra and their relatives nom on the surfaces. I know i get a kick out of my Bruce doing it.

Garra are underrated fish

Until they spend all day fighting - gotta say garra fights are epic.