Green spots on glass

[hotrodprincess]

Ok I now have small green poaka dots on the glass. How do I get rid of it. I tried whiping it off but it does not want to come off scraping is required. Our light is on a timer we get 7 hours of light a day. should I decrease the light its a ten gallon tank

[Kathyy]

Try an old credit card or - very carefully and stay away from the silicone - a single edge razor blade. If you have plain Mr. Clean sponges around then they work wonderfully as well.

I don't have this particular algae now that I dose phosphate. I suspect phosphate makes it easier for the snails and otos to eat is all.

Less light might help, not more.

[hotrodprincess]

Originally Posted by Kathyy

Try an old credit card or - very carefully and stay away from the silicone - a single edge razor blade. If you have plain Mr. Clean sponges around then they work wonderfully as well.

I don't have this particular algae now that I dose phosphate. I suspect phosphate makes it easier for the snails and otos to eat is all.

Less light might help, not more.

thanks for the info I will see if I can scrape it off. I would like to fix what ever is causing it so it doesent come back

[MSG]

• I would recommend the acrylic pad versus the BLUE one made for glass. Acrylic pad is more gentle, but you will have to use more pressure & little circular motions to remove the little green algae dots.

• You can use the razor blade, but I'd advise against something so sharp if you have NOSY fish that like to follow your hands around during tank cleanings.

Not sure what kind of LIVE plants you have, but get a few more plants & they'll out-compete the algae for nutrients.

I had the same green dot algae problem with my 30G acrylic tank. Ended up getting more plants & scrubbed the tank down with the PAD every 2-3 weeks to keep the dots from getting out of hand.

[secuono]

I use a razor, I don't have time to be rubbing the spots hoping they eventually come off...

[Kathyy]

I had rosy barbs following me when I scraped the glass with the razor blade. Never hurt one and they were frantically trying to get the scrapings. A credit card works almost as well as those spots are very hard and can almost pop right off. Seriously disliked the algae pads as it was very difficult to get GSA off with them but it sure is safer than a razor blade!

Had GSA until I started dosing more phosphate in my bright, CO2 enriched and fertilized tank. All gone now. Good thing as Anubias collects it like mad and of course algae pads, Mr. Clean sponges and the rest wouldn't work on live plant leaves!

How much light is over the tank? 7 hours is a fine photoperiod but perhaps there are too many bulbs over the tank. Could raise the lights, shade them or turn off a bulb?

[sjb1987]

+1...

Originally Posted by secuono

i use a razor, i don't have time to be rubbing the spots hoping they eventually come off...

[MSG]

If you've NEVER used a razor for algae removal you can cut INTO the glass/seal if you get a bit impatient.

The curious fish I was referring to were betta fish.

I have rosy barbs too, but none of them were inquisitive enough during maintenance to take a ride though the siphon tube.

ANYTHING that reduces the chance of scratching the tank is worth it to me.

[chunkychun]

i highly rec mr clean magic erasers. i just tried them on my gsa and it is so much easier than the aquarium pads. also my understanding is that it takes more time for the gsa to reappear. also agree with less light and more phosphates