getting rid of coraline algae?

[scubagirl12]

I feel like this is a stupid question but how do I get rid of that dang coraline algae? Sure, its pretty on the rock and the back wall but starting at the bottom of my acrylic tank, its quickly working its way up. I can barely keep up with scrapping it off. Its forming solid walls. I have a little scrapper thing but its extremely difficult to get off and now my arm is sore......... Is there any better solution? When I search for it most of what I find is how to grow it :doh:

 

[steve]

an urchin!

 

[blind1993]

i have the same problem but my tank is glass and i just have to clean the glass 2 days a week, thats how it is.

 

[michaelf1478]

i wish i had alot of coarline algae

 

[bobz]

The only problem with urchins are that you can't train them to just eat coraline off the glass!

 

[scubagirl12]

urchins in coraline? you learn something new everyday!
i have a 12gal acrylic jam packed with coral, which i assume is harder than glass and too small for an urchin

 

[ralph atl]

you can get a tuxedo urchin! They work great! Other than that, clean often, so it doesn't build up.

 

[scubagirl12]

michaelf1478;233048 wrote: i wish i had alot of coarline algae

i wish i could frag you some ha

 

[ralph atl]

Scubagirl12;233053 wrote: urchins in coraline? you learn something new everyday!
i have a 12gal acrylic jam packed with coral, which i assume is harder than glass and too small for an urchin

true, but mine stayed on my glass for like a year before it moved to the rocks. but hey, who knows? they can roam around anywhere.

 

[tim8111]

Scubagirl12;233053 wrote: urchins in coraline? you learn something new everyday!
i have a 12gal acrylic jam packed with coral, which i assume is harder than glass and too small for an urchin

Also, urchins can and usually eventually do scratch the acrylic. It is bad enough when I scratch one of my acrylic tanks, much less some critter doing it 24 hours a day.

Just a thought.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[michaelf1478]

Scubagirl12;233055 wrote: i wish i could frag you some ha

yea that whould be nice

 

[scubagirl12]

if i did try an urchin what would be the smallest/least destructing choice?

 

[scubagirl12]

well then...<span style="color: Black">michaelf1478, you are more than welcome to come scrape the coraline off my tank and put it in yours.
</span>

 

[michaelf1478]

Scubagirl12;233071 wrote: well then...<span style="color: black">michaelf1478, you are more than welcome to come scrape the coraline off my tank and put it in yours.</span>

ok i'll pay you by the pound

 

[flyingarmy]

Best scraper is the "Easy Blade" that attaches to a Mag Float. Best little device ever made for scraping the inside of your glass! Keen Reef sells them laast time I was there!

 

[drnecropolis]

dawgdude;233163 wrote: Do they make an easy blade for acrylic? Ive never had an acrylic tank so I havent ever really paid attention.

I really doubt it lol

 

[derek_s]

I dont think they do. Plus I dont know if you'd have enough pressure with the magnet to really get it off. The trick to the glass one is the very sharp razor, which you cant use on the acrylic.

The kent proscraper for acrylic works, but you just gotta stay on top of it.

Also, supposedly, blue tuxedos are less likely to scratch acrylic (or maybe even acrylic safe), as opposed to rock urchins or others... But you might want to verify that.

 

[atlfishes]

Using magnets to clean acrylic is asking for trouble. I used a magnavore with acrylic pads and it took about 10 secs for it to catch some sand or something and start scratching.

 

[mojo]

atlfishes;233212 wrote: Using magnets to clean acrylic is asking for trouble. I used a magnavore with acrylic pads and it took about 10 secs for it to catch some sand or something and start scratching.

And I've been using a Magnavore on my acrylic tank for years and haven't had a problem. I'm not all that careful, either, although I don't clean the last 1" or so with a magnet...

 

[gwhiz]

Lately I've been using a plastic hotel room key to scrape coraline off my acrylic tank (Hey I bet my ARC card will work--a side membership benefit!). It's stiff enough to work, but soft enough not to scratch the acrylic. I made a handle for one out of some scrap wood so I could reduce accidental fragging from cleaning the tank.

I only use a Mag float well away from the substrate....