I purchased a fake coral for $49 at Petco. It was a beautiful orange coral color.
About 6 months later it is black and looks terrible.
How can I remove the black while not poisoning the fish water?
I think I read somewhere to use clorox but I just can't .... it seems too poisonous.
I have a fresh water tank with chiclids.
Thank you!
2006-09-20 16:55:55 · 14 answers · asked by Genie♥Angel 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
I've tried scrubbing it off to no avail. I have algae eaters that are fabulous but they don't get it off of there.
2006-09-20 17:30:58 · update #1
I have this same problem after a couple of weeks in my tank, too, and my water parameters are fine, though my nitrates were a bit on the high side last week.
Anyway, I take my decorations out, and using USED tank water when I do my water changes, I clean all the algae off with a sponge and toothbrush (both of which have never seen any kind of soap - both new out of the package when I first started using them). By using tank water to clean the decorations, you can be sure that no contaminants get onto them and possibly hurt the fish in the tank.
There is no need to ever use bleach or other solvents to clean tanks or accessories unless you have to "nuke" the tank, and even then you have to use a diluted bleach solution (nine parts water, one part bleach) and then soak what you clean in water with added dechlorinator for a couple of days.
2006-09-20 17:30:22 · answer #1 · answered by birdistasty 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
For starters did you cycle the tank before adding any fish? This is when you let the filter and the tank sit for around 2-3 weeks otherwise if you dont do this then the tank can't cope with the extra fish wasts. Or if you have done this then it could be that your tank is getting to much or to little sunlight eather of these will promote agee growth. The tank should be in a shady place but not totaly in the dark or in full sun, it should also be placed away from radiators to pevent the temperature form changing. The recomended amount of time for a tank's light to be on is 7-8 hours that way living plants and fish get enough light without making algee spores grow. You should change the water only every 2 weeks because if you change it any more the benificial bacteria that break up fish waste will be removed and the tank wont be able to cope with the amount of waste. A good tank clean of removing 25% of the water every 2 weeks is adviseable with a filter clen along with this water change every month. Use tap water that has been treated with declorinator to refill the tank after cleaning. Or it maybe that you have to many fish for the tank and it is so over stocked that an ammonia build up has begun. And don't just go and buy a pleco to clen up the mess for you as the tank doesn't sound properly clen for any more fish yet and remember plecos grow huge! Good luck and I hope your probles sorts it's self out.
2016-03-17 02:48:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could take the algae out by submerging it in really hot water .
If that dosen't work use and old tooth brush and scrub it. it will come off. Do not use bleach, because if you do not dry it good it can leak in the tank and kill your fish . If you use bleach . becareful. rinse it out really good and air dry for about a week . then rinse in hot water again then add to tank
2006-09-28 12:31:26 · answer #3 · answered by saltwaterparadise 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get some liquid clear from walmart, orange cap, small bottle for one thing, get some algae eaters, check your filter that it is functioning properly.
Remove the coral and soak in half bleach and half water solution. RINSE VERY VERY WELL, THEN RINSE AGAIN. dry off and let it air dry overnight, then put it in your tank the next day. use a toothbrush to get in the cracks if needed.
I have cleaned white gravel in my tank before with success and no dead fishes......
2006-09-20 17:00:30 · answer #4 · answered by debi_0712 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Don't use any claening products, it may react to the material of the decoration and cause it to poison your fish no matter how well you rinse it. I would suggest letting it dry off to see if it will brush off easyer that way.
There are some 'safe' tank cleaning products on the market that you could try
http://www.aquariumguys.com/saeaaqcl8oz.html
http://www.aquariumguys.com/rockprep.html
A
2006-09-21 03:18:10 · answer #5 · answered by iceni 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
this is what i did and always, wash it and scrub it with cold water and bleach till' get white color after that soak it in hot, hot water 4 o 5 times every time diferent water ,and leave it outside to dry for 3 day (sun)that way the algae will die complete after that, put it back in the tank( like new) my fish is a live no one dies.
2006-09-20 17:30:25 · answer #6 · answered by cromatico4u 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I used to slow boil the ornaments in water in a pot on the stove, and then scrub them clean with a samll brush without using any soap or detergent.
2006-09-26 00:39:44 · answer #7 · answered by lew_lewisje 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Check your water for the PH. It's a simple test kit and match the color. Your water must be off if you're growing somuch algae. Also, the tank must be kept out of the sun. I went thru this as well and had to take everything out of the tank and wash it and start all over again. Check the PH balance
2006-09-20 16:58:16 · answer #8 · answered by shizzlechit 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Take it out of the tank...get some bleach...dilute it in some water if you want and either soak it or scrub it with the bleach or bleach solution. Just make sure you rinse it really well until you can't smell any more bleach on the coral. Then, carefully plop it back in the tank.
2006-09-20 16:58:50 · answer #9 · answered by Shaun 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Soak the ornaments in vinegar and cold water for 2 nights and 3 days. then rinse and let them sit in water in the five gallon bucket for at least one night. then rinse again and place again.
2014-07-20 03:01:11 · answer #10 · answered by Brandon 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋