Removing Coraline algae from glass

danb73 · 12/13/2007, 10:52 AM

Could someone please give me some suggestions on the best way to remove Coraline from the front of the tank (The tank is full). Thanks for any help.

hyperfocal · 12/13/2007, 11:01 AM

Glass or acrylic tank?

Craig Lambert · 12/13/2007, 11:02 AM

Razor blade. (Single edge w/holder from your local paint store assuming the tank is glass). If you are saying that the tank is full and you can't get your hand between the rock and the glass then I would recommend redesigning your aquascape.

Blown 346 · 12/13/2007, 11:05 AM

For a glass tank I would opt to use a plastic scraper that can be purchased online or at your LFS. The same goes for Acrylic. I dont like to use razor blades as if your not careful you can cut, nick or gouge the silicone and can cause a leak. Or you can even scratch the glass.

Sk8r · 12/13/2007, 11:33 AM

I use a single-edged razor blade. I have a GLASS tank.

Acrylic requires a special cleaning pad and is a whole other problem.
Somebody has made a device that locally heats the coralline from the outside of the tank to enable removal.

mg426 · 12/13/2007, 11:47 AM

A razor blade has been my weapon of choice.

jasondon · 12/13/2007, 12:12 PM

How about an Urchin? Not the quickest, but will work for sure. I have one (not sure what kind, short spine's, white with black lines) and he loves the stuff. I dont mind the look of coraline, but not on the glass. He doesnt bother anyone in the tank, just roams around. Just a thought!

LobsterOfJustice · 12/13/2007, 12:22 PM

Razorblade (on glass only).

Lucky-rc · 12/13/2007, 12:31 PM

I use a 1.5" plastic scraper made by Kent on my 310 acrylic... No scratches ever. I am very carefull... To many people mess their tank up doing this? I think they just get in a hurry?

Lucky

tigereye37 · 12/13/2007, 01:08 PM

I bought the plastic kent scraper and it worked a little bit but was frustrating. I bought the steel blade for the same scraper and its a breeze now.......... Glass tank

barrysalt · 12/13/2007, 01:55 PM

Problem with a plastic scraper is that it could snap at handle with strong pressure...it happened to me. So, I went to Home Depot, bought a painters putty knife with thick plastic handle. Blade is wide, 4 or 5 inches, made of stainless steel, works great, is very inexpensive.

gary faulkner · 12/13/2007, 08:36 PM

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...=Algaecleaners

Craig Lambert · 12/13/2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gary faulkner
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...=Algaecleaners

That looks very cool gary. Does it really work? Can you add a razor blade to that and have it add enough preasure to cut through coraline?

gary faulkner · 12/13/2007, 08:56 PM

It comes with it's own blade and you can get extra blades also.

One of the best tools, I've ever bought!

HTH

Craig Lambert · 12/13/2007, 08:59 PM

Thanks...It look like it would be great for the area where the glass and sandbed meet. That's where coraline seems to always take hold for me.

poppin_fresh · 12/13/2007, 09:03 PM

Dynamite...it works every time the first time!

seriously though, I use the metal Kent Pro scraper, but I really want to try one of those ones that glue on a mag float. I have heard from several people that really like them.

gary faulkner · 12/13/2007, 09:05 PM

Yes and you can also get it into the corners.

It is really one of the best tools that I have ever bought.

Be sure not to use it on acrylic though!

poppin_fresh · 12/13/2007, 09:05 PM

Side note.

It makes you wonder why some people complain that they cant get it to grow? I HATE that stuff!

gary faulkner · 12/13/2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by poppin_fresh
Side note.

It makes you wonder why some people complain that they cant get it to grow? I HATE that stuff!

We need to figure a way to bottle and sell it.

danb73 · 12/14/2007, 12:17 PM

Thank you all for your suggestions they are much appreciated.

Dan

FishAreFriends2 · 12/14/2007, 12:21 PM

I use a library card on glass

corbett_n · 12/14/2007, 12:47 PM

samurai sword

flyyyguy · 12/14/2007, 08:48 PM

I have acrylic tanks and I actually finally was the first person I know personally who bought the therme algae magnet.

want a review???

if you are lazy liuke me and let it build up longer than you should far too often.......the product works and it is much safer than trying to chip away at the stuff with an acrylic tank. its defintely not any faster........just safer.

I use the kent plastic scrapers and just making sure to hit it once a week works fine and safely

the thing kills 1 square inch in about ten seconds, and then of course you have to scrape it but it is easy.

if it could do even 4 or 8 square inches at a time the unit would be worth its weight in gold..............

12/13/2007, 10:52 AM	#1
danb73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 64	Removing Coraline algae from glass Could someone please give me some suggestions on the best way to remove Coraline from the front of the tank (The tank is full). Thanks for any help.

12/13/2007, 11:01 AM	#2
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	Glass or acrylic tank? __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

12/13/2007, 11:02 AM	#3
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	Razor blade. (Single edge w/holder from your local paint store assuming the tank is glass). If you are saying that the tank is full and you can't get your hand between the rock and the glass then I would recommend redesigning your aquascape. __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic

12/13/2007, 11:33 AM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use a single-edged razor blade. I have a GLASS tank. Acrylic requires a special cleaning pad and is a whole other problem. Somebody has made a device that locally heats the coralline from the outside of the tank to enable removal. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

12/13/2007, 11:47 AM	#6
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	A razor blade has been my weapon of choice. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

12/13/2007, 11:05 AM	#4
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	For a glass tank I would opt to use a plastic scraper that can be purchased online or at your LFS. The same goes for Acrylic. I dont like to use razor blades as if your not careful you can cut, nick or gouge the silicone and can cause a leak. Or you can even scratch the glass.

12/13/2007, 12:12 PM	#7
jasondon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 49	How about an Urchin? Not the quickest, but will work for sure. I have one (not sure what kind, short spine's, white with black lines) and he loves the stuff. I dont mind the look of coraline, but not on the glass. He doesnt bother anyone in the tank, just roams around. Just a thought!

12/13/2007, 12:22 PM	#8
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Razorblade (on glass only). __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

12/13/2007, 12:31 PM	#9
Lucky-rc Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: central Ohio Posts: 450	I use a 1.5" plastic scraper made by Kent on my 310 acrylic... No scratches ever. I am very carefull... To many people mess their tank up doing this? I think they just get in a hurry? Lucky __________________ Fast women... Expensive hobbies... Whats left? Current Tank Info: 310 gal. mix-reef

12/13/2007, 01:08 PM	#10
tigereye37 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: RI Posts: 191	I bought the plastic kent scraper and it worked a little bit but was frustrating. I bought the steel blade for the same scraper and its a breeze now.......... Glass tank

12/13/2007, 01:55 PM	#11
barrysalt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 274	Problem with a plastic scraper is that it could snap at handle with strong pressure...it happened to me. So, I went to Home Depot, bought a painters putty knife with thick plastic handle. Blade is wide, 4 or 5 inches, made of stainless steel, works great, is very inexpensive. __________________ I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy. Current Tank Info: mngr of 3 tanks, 8,000 gals total

12/13/2007, 08:36 PM	#12
gary faulkner Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,468	http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...=Algaecleaners __________________ Gary Current Tank Info: 300G SPS

12/13/2007, 08:56 PM	#14
gary faulkner Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,468	It comes with it's own blade and you can get extra blades also. One of the best tools, I've ever bought! HTH __________________ Gary Current Tank Info: 300G SPS

12/13/2007, 08:59 PM	#15
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	Thanks...It look like it would be great for the area where the glass and sandbed meet. That's where coraline seems to always take hold for me. __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic

12/13/2007, 09:03 PM	#16
poppin_fresh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,982	Dynamite...it works every time the first time! seriously though, I use the metal Kent Pro scraper, but I really want to try one of those ones that glue on a mag float. I have heard from several people that really like them. __________________ PBITAWA! Current Tank Info: None now. Past- 180g w/ 100g basement sump and 20g 'fuge. H & S skimmer, T'5s & Tunze

12/13/2007, 09:05 PM	#17
gary faulkner Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,468	Yes and you can also get it into the corners. It is really one of the best tools that I have ever bought. Be sure not to use it on acrylic though! __________________ Gary Current Tank Info: 300G SPS

12/14/2007, 12:17 PM	#20
danb73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 64	Thank you all for your suggestions they are much appreciated. Dan

12/14/2007, 12:21 PM	#21
FishAreFriends2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,163	I use a library card on glass

12/14/2007, 12:47 PM	#22
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	samurai sword

12/14/2007, 08:48 PM	#23
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	I have acrylic tanks and I actually finally was the first person I know personally who bought the therme algae magnet. want a review??? if you are lazy liuke me and let it build up longer than you should far too often.......the product works and it is much safer than trying to chip away at the stuff with an acrylic tank. its defintely not any faster........just safer. I use the kent plastic scrapers and just making sure to hit it once a week works fine and safely the thing kills 1 square inch in about ten seconds, and then of course you have to scrape it but it is easy. if it could do even 4 or 8 square inches at a time the unit would be worth its weight in gold.............. __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach