How do I get rid of algea growth on rocks?

Question

i have tried scrubbing and it doesn't work. I wish i could identify the color of this algea but i cant...i have a lot of salt and pepper rocks and quartz rocks that have turned ugly from all of this.

Answer 1

I wish people would STOP trying to get others to buy new fish or snails without knowing the tank size and occupants.
If you don't have snails, you are free to dose the tank with coppersafe (ick treatment) and see if that works. Copper often kills algae. Otherwise a complete blackout would kill the algae within a week or two.
Algae becomes a problem when there is too much lighting or a buildup of phosphates in the water. Increasing your water changes, decreasing your lighting, and feeding less can help to stop algae growth.

Answer 2

Well, try boiling the gravel in small amounts at a time, hopefully it will kill the algea. You could also get a fish that cleans up that stuff, I had the same problem until I adopted my cory catfish because of her, the tanks is sparkling. If you have a tank big enough, you could get a pleco too. Good luck w/ the problem.

PS... DO NOT get a snail unless you want a MILLION of them!!! I always advise against this because they can reproduce by themselves, so you end up w/ a lot more sanils than you want, which can stress out fish.

Answer 3

You could do one of two things
1) I've never had a snail, but we have a sucker fish and we've also had little frogs and that did the trick.
2) Replace all of the rocks with new ones.

Answer 4

move your tank to a place without direct sun light or little sun light, algea need sun light to grow... an anti algea chemical additive will also help, good luck!

Answer 5

if they're bigger stones, like decorative ones & not gravel, just take them out of the water & dunk them in a 1:15 mixture of bleach:water for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, dry, and they'll be like new.

Answer 6

snails and shrimps work but most of the varieties of freshwater snails and shrimps are tropical.... so it limits your selection.

snails are good but some are very destructive like eating your plants and when they die... it makes your tank smell and they rot fast. Some species of snails are impossible to get rid of in your tank even when you drain out tank for months. Some snails need water to breathe while some need air.

Although of some of these qualities that are bad.... some species of snails help indicate if water conditions are bad. All aquarium snails need hard water or shells will be too soft and crack. Some grows too big.

Colombian Ramshorn Snails: http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Bug,%20Snails,%20Colombian%20Ramshorns.htm

Malaysian Trumpet Snails(small but pesky): http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Bug,%20Snails,%20Malaysian%20Trumpet.htm

New Mystery Snail(grows big): http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Bug,%20Snails,%20Mystery.htm

Trapdoor Snails(ok but grows large and eats all plants): http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Bug,%20Snails,%20Trapdoor.htm
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There are shrimps for tropical but they are extremely sensitive to the water including the Ph levels and if the water is hard or soft.

Algae Eating Shrimp: http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Bug,%20Algae%20Eating%20Shrimps.htm

Cherry Red Shrimp: http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Bug,%20Cherry%20Red%20Shrimp.htm

Rudolph Shrimp(best i think): http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Bug,%20Rudolph%20Shrimp.htm

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Conclusion: these algae eaters may have their weak points but they do benefit by eating algae. Also if you want to buy a snail or shrimp, make sure you research about them on multiple websites besides aqualand because you dont want these fragile species of invertebrates to waste your money when they die right after you put them in your tank because of unclear information.


PS:Algae eating fish like the Gyrinocheilos aymorieri species are helpful: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=1162

and plecos too: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=837

Answer 7

get a couple of algae eaters from the pet store. Clown Loach or
one of those flat catfish looking things Peclostomas sp?

Answer 8

Try getting a snail.......I had one in my tank and it ate the algea off the rocks and the sides of the tank......my tank was always clean when I had that snail.......and they live 4-EVER!!

Answer 9

borrow your neighbors power washer and get it off in half a second. dont mess with bleach you could ruin your clothes

Answer 10

buy some snails or algae eating shrimp