how to get algae staining off of filters?

Question

I have a 20 gal tank and my Bristle nosed pleco does not like to clean my aquarium plants so they have black/brown algae on them. I use algae remover and it seems to work. My problems is the filter extension that hangs in the water, the algae has stained it and I cant get all of it clean, especially at the upper most part of it. I was wondering what would work to clean it all off.

Thanks.

Answer 1

1. a clean tank isn't necessarily a healthy tank. You are obsessing and poisoning your tank just to kill a plant.

2. algae is from light and fish waste, reduce those and you'll have less algae. stop overfeeding.

3. plecos don't eat many forms of algae. In fact because of the waste they make they actually contribute to filth more than they clean up.

4. plastic plants and decorations can be bleached, but if you don't follow a procedure of rinsing, soaking and dechlorinating with water conditioner before the plants go back in the tank, then you'll kill everything in your tank someday by accident. (do not clean any filter materials or other filter parts this way other than just the intake tube)

5. I'd still recommend that you not do so much to clean your tank, learn how to vacuum properly and relax a little about the algae. feed less, turn out your tank light, and you'll have less algae.

Answer 2

Try scrubbing it with some aquarium salt dissolved in a little water, This will give a little abrasive action but will not harm the water chemistry. Just rinse the tube well before you replace it . Never use any kind of chemical cleaner in or around our tank as it only takes a few drops of the wrong thing to kill everything in the tank.

Answer 3

take apart the filter and soak all the parts white vinegar and then scrub with some sort of brush vinegar is safe to use with fish and it will break down any algae or hard water stains

rinse well when done

Answer 4

unplug the filter,take off the extension,put some toilet paper on a pen and clean it.



if you have algae get some oto catfish or amano shrimp. petco has both of them.



oto catfish stay about 1inch big and mine is always on my plants,and the shrimp are great as well.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbYSgrqCPy8