"Hard" algae...

[Magnum Man]

I intentionally grow algae in my hillstream tank, and almost never have to scrape algae in that tank... however I do get a hard algae on the front glass, that is too hard for the Hillstream's to eat it, and in this mature tank, it doesn't grow fast, I only scrape the couple spots every 3-4 months, but it is so hard, and sticks to the glass so well, that a "normal" algae scraper won't remove it ( and I have many styles ) I've thought about a paint scraper, but don't want to scratch the glass... any idea what this is, or a different suggestion for removing it??? it is a green algae, the Hillstream's are attracted to it, and maybe remove a softer??? outer layer, but it's base layer sticks like paint, to the glass

 

[MattW]

Got a pic? The only hard type of algae I've encountered was green spot. After a couple of passes with a razor scraper, it usually comes off.

 

[Magnum Man]

looks similar, though mine appears a darker green ( pine green ) but that may just be the light... I have some old magnetic scrapers, that used 2 razor blades ( the Schick injector style ) in them, and that works the best for me so far, the velcro type material on the newer style scrapers doesn't touch it... this is a built in tank, not open to the front, so a razor on a stick doesn't work as well, as on a "normal" tank, a magnetic scraper is the easiest to use...

 

[MaloK]

The older it is the tougher it is.

You already have the best, besides trying to shade the light that creates it.

There's not much more you can do. Shrimps love to eat these scrapings.

 

[Back in the fold]

Leave it alone . As long as you can see in who cares ?

 

[Colin_T]

Need a picture. It could be coralline algae, which sometimes grows in freshwater. It creates a calcium base that can be hard to remove.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

A single blade razor works great and doesn't scratch the glass for me. I bought a box of 100 some time ago and use them for other things both fishy and non-fishy as well.

 

[Magnum Man]

a couple spots I didn't get well the other day...

 

[Magnum Man]

the business end of my antique scrapper... they are pretty dangerous

 

[Magnum Man]

if I have brand new blades, it will scrape the algae, albeit not very well

 

[MaloK]

How much renovation involved to make your top panels removable ?

 

[Magnum Man]

a lot, there are curio cabinets built in, with fish plates displayed, above the tanks, they are really dusty, so the display lights are off... 15 feet of curio cabinet above the tanks... holds 14 "under the sea" collectible custom plates

 

[Magnum Man]

these were the best you could buy 35 years ago, and I was surprised when I found I could still get new blades... it was smart of them to use a common shaving razor blade

 

[MaloK]

The problem with razors blade they are really effective only when controlled directly in your hand.

Magnetic cleaner tend to have wrong contact angle of the blades and lower strength so you might have to swipe more than once for sure.

 

[Magnum Man]

I agree, the old one pictured hold the blades at a 90 degree angle to the glass... I would think at least a 45 degree angle would be better, although that would be directional, the old one works both forward and backwards