if my tank has algae on the glass can i just wipe it off with a paper towel?

Question

their are 12 fish currently in the tank.

would buying a new power filter for a BIGGER tank help to keep it more clean?

i have a 20 gallon tank, and i have an angel fish, 6 red eye tetras, a dalmation molly, a yellow gourami, 2 koi catfish, and 3 white skirt tetras, and one black skirt tetra.

Answer 1

Sure. Obviously it will grow back, but as long as you can wipe it off then why not?

MM

Answer 2

I would not use a paper towel. After it is wet, pieces will come off in your tank and decay. Plus, often algae is stuck on a little harder than a paper towel could handle.

I recommend an algae scrubber. Make sure you get one that is appropiate for your tank one that is for glass if you have a glass tank or one for acrylic if you have an acrylic. If you use a glass one on acrylic you may scratch your tank.

You can use a sponge as long as if it is brand new and has no chemicals/soaps on it.

To prevent future algae, make sure you do at least monthly partial water changes along with changing any filter media (carbon pads etc.), though never change a bio wheel if you have that.

If you are doing that, try replacing the light bulb. As flourecent lights age, their spectrum output changes and actually encourages algae growth. These should be replace every 8-10months.

Direct sunlight will also cause algae growth and can cause dangerous temperature flucuations. If this is the case, change the location of the tank or make sure blinds are closed when the sun would hit the tank.

You can also reduce the amount of food for the algae, feeding your fish less will help with that.

Finally, add an algae eater of some sort. Make sure that you pick up some algae disks though too. The most common reason algae eaters die is due to starvation. Feed them a disc or partial disc every other day. This ensures he is getting food, yet is hungry enough to help with algae in the tank too!

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Answer 3

Here's what I did.
1. Wiped the glass with wet sponge. If you have decorations in the tank and you can see algae on it, wash it under running water(room temp) and let it cool before putting back into tank.
2. Shut off the aquarium lights for a week. Cover the aquarium (glass)with thick towel (to prevent any light entering on tank)for a week.
3. If this does not help, get algae eaters from fish shop.
4. Check the Ph and Ammonia(caused by too many live plants) in the tank.
5. All the best :)

Answer 4

You don't say what size tank you have or what kind of fish are in it, but I will take a stab at this for you. Your best way to clean the algae is to get a algae scrub pad from the local pet store. They don't cost very much. Also, make sure you are doing the proper water changes and cleaning. There are chemicals out there you could add to help control it but you really should not use them unless the problem is out of control.

Lighting will cause algae growth. Try to avoid direct sunlight and limit the times you have the aquarium light on.

Keep in mind that most "algae eaters" do not eat algae. The ones that do either do not eat that much, or get very large and will more than likely outgrow your tank. Snails also eat algae, but they are small and again don't eat a lot. Also, if you have more than one snail, they reproduce like wildfire and that can cause problems also.

Hope this helps. Good luck

Answer 5

Yes, that would be okay as long as you don't let any pieces float off and get stuck in the filter or the fish eat it. You should have a sponge for this, but never use a sponge that has been used somewhere else and may have soap or other chemicals in it. Use a brand new sponge that is only used for cleaning your tank. Or a scraper works. Don't worry about getting all of the algae. A little algae is good. Read the link.

Answer 6

Yup. Or you could get an algae "magnet" from the fish store for a few dollars, they work very well. Don't buy a new fish solely for the purpose of removing algae. Many algae eaters grow very large (up to 2 feet!) and they all add to your tank's bioload (because they produce waste). If you like the looks of algae eaters and have researched a species that will get along with your current fish and won't overstock your tank, by all means get it. But don't rely on an algae-eater to keep your tank sparkling clean and algae-free--it's not going to happen.

Answer 7

yes, or go to ur pet store and buy an algae cleaner such as a scrubber or the tank buddies tablets work to keep algae clear once it has been cleaned first. i wouldnt use a sponge cause of the amonia that most have on them. amonia is harmfull to most if not all fish. i currnently have a 55 gallon tank that is nearly algae free. algae eaters are good to have too. such as the golden algae eater or pleco. plecos and grow fast and in my opinion are dirty. also if u keep ur tank away from direct sunlight u can help reduce the amount that grows. also dont have the lights on all the time. hope this helps.

Answer 8

Algae Eaters, Plecostomus (small/young one), Ottocinclus will all help (pick only one type for you tank).

Also, try to reduce the natural light that gets to the tank. Don't sit it near a window.

Cut the food/organic build up. That will reduce nitrogen build up. Nitrogen is often a major ingredient of fertilizers and causes plant growth.

Paper towel? Why not just use your hand? Or a clean, natural sponge,...... or a clean, clean cotton cloth? Check out your local fish store for cleaning devices.

Kev

Answer 9

I wouldnt advise using a paper towel to wipe the tank because that would require you to put your hands in the tank. I would go buy a cleaning rod thats meant to clean tanks. This will help keep your fish healthier. I would put a pleco in the tank to help cure this problem. And yes the bigger the filter the better but dont go to overboard. I would go one size bigger filter than the tank. I hope this helps.

Answer 10

Yes but if you do not have a good filter you may have to change the water eventually. You can even buy a magnet that attaches to a wiper on the inside of the tank. Just move it around. You can also purchase suckers that stick to the glass and love to eat algae keeping it clean.

Answer 11

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals make something like a paper towel for cleaning your tanks. They will be lint free.
A larger tank never hurts. How big is the current and what fish are in it?