Trying to be algae free

[Renee]

I'm completely tearing down my tank in a couple weeks in an attempt to rid
myself of algae. I had live plants in the tank at one point which I suspect
was the initial root of the problem.

Here is my question...
Silk plants and decorations - I plan on taking them out of the tank, washing
and scrubbing with a brush, letting dry out, etc. Are there any other steps
I can take to make sure the algae doesn't come back with these decorations.
Should I wash them with soap?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks all!

[NetMax]

"Renee" > wrote in message
...
> I'm completely tearing down my tank in a couple weeks in an attempt to
rid
> myself of algae. I had live plants in the tank at one point which I
suspect
> was the initial root of the problem.
>
> Here is my question...
> Silk plants and decorations - I plan on taking them out of the tank,
washing
> and scrubbing with a brush, letting dry out, etc. Are there any other
steps
> I can take to make sure the algae doesn't come back with these
decorations.
> Should I wash them with soap?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
> Thanks all!

I don't think that you can create a completely algae-free environment.
Pour a glass of water and put it in the window sill. I think it will
fill with algae.

There are many types of algae, some travel easily and others don't.
Sometimes the way to get rid of some of the particularly nasty varieties
is to tear down the tank. Generic green algae is not worth cleaning a
tank out for (IMHO). I usually only use hot water and dehydration to
sterilize a tank. A more active method is a mild bleach/water wash, lots
of rinsing and some de-chlor. Soap of any type is not recommended.

NetMax

[Renee]

Lol, yeah, being completely algae free would be a wet dream, pun intended ;)

It's a pretty nasty case even my diatom filter is having troubles with.
I'll stick with the wash and dry method I was initially planning, maybe a
soap free trip through the dishwasher. :)
I'll get the little buggers eventually.

Thanks!!
Renee


"NetMax" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Renee" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm completely tearing down my tank in a couple weeks in an attempt to
> rid
> > myself of algae. I had live plants in the tank at one point which I
> suspect
> > was the initial root of the problem.
> >
> > Here is my question...
> > Silk plants and decorations - I plan on taking them out of the tank,
> washing
> > and scrubbing with a brush, letting dry out, etc. Are there any other
> steps
> > I can take to make sure the algae doesn't come back with these
> decorations.
> > Should I wash them with soap?
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated.
> > Thanks all!
>
> I don't think that you can create a completely algae-free environment.
> Pour a glass of water and put it in the window sill. I think it will
> fill with algae.
>
> There are many types of algae, some travel easily and others don't.
> Sometimes the way to get rid of some of the particularly nasty varieties
> is to tear down the tank. Generic green algae is not worth cleaning a
> tank out for (IMHO). I usually only use hot water and dehydration to
> sterilize a tank. A more active method is a mild bleach/water wash, lots
> of rinsing and some de-chlor. Soap of any type is not recommended.
>
> NetMax
>
>

[Jonno]

Leave your aglae, just scrape the viewing glass.
Algae is good for your water quality. It sucks
up nitrates and ammonia.

[Jim Seidman]

"Renee" > wrote in message >...
> I'm completely tearing down my tank in a couple weeks in an attempt to rid
> myself of algae. I had live plants in the tank at one point which I suspect
> was the initial root of the problem.
>
> Here is my question...
> Silk plants and decorations - I plan on taking them out of the tank, washing
> and scrubbing with a brush, letting dry out, etc. Are there any other steps
> I can take to make sure the algae doesn't come back with these decorations.
> Should I wash them with soap?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
> Thanks all!

The real problem you have is that algae will survive all that. Algae
spores are amazingly resilient. You have to actually poison it with
chlorine bleach or the like.

If you have the sense that the live plants caused the algae problem,
then it's certainly possible that there were algae spores of a type
that did well in your tank. Sadly, the process you describe will
probably still leave at least one spore around, which is all you need
for the colony to regrow.

If you have a really bad algae problem, then your tank's water is too
high in nutrients. You need to locate the cause for that and fix it.

- Jim