View Full Version : Coraline Algae
Tebonus
04/20/2006, 08:34 AM
I have way too much coraline alage growing on the glass and I can't keep it off of the sides. Any recommendations for quick removal. I have a magnetic scraper but it really takes some elbow grease.
ONEMANBAND
04/20/2006, 08:44 AM
razor blade
Scuba Oz
04/20/2006, 08:46 AM
Welcome to satwater!! This is always going to be a problem. Keeping the glass wiped down daily will stop it from forming but anywhere you cant reach with the mag float is going to get covered.
Tebonus
04/20/2006, 09:01 AM
I saw a heated scraper for sale. Anyone every try this?
jgoodrich71
04/20/2006, 10:03 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7212906#post7212906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tebonus
I saw a heated scraper for sale. Anyone every try this?
What?
A straight razor blade works better than anything I have ever tried. Even better than the metal scrapers designed for aquariums.
I don't understand the benefit to a heated scraper for a tank. As soon as you put it in the water, its not really heated any more. The idea of having a heated scraper for a tank scares me.
crzy4reefs
04/20/2006, 10:05 AM
never heard of a heated scraper before.........there are urchins who eat the coraline......but i just use a razor blade and scrape it off.......i keep it on the back and to one side of the tank. the other side and front are taken care of.
fishfreak2407
04/20/2006, 10:12 AM
sheesh,,,,,,,,, Im hopeing for such problems:p
Recife
04/20/2006, 06:14 PM
Razor blades are not an option for folks with deep tanks. Also, you have to be very careful using it or you can scratch your tank badly.
I second the use of those aquarium scrapers for the areas you can't reach with the magnetic ones.
Lpabsolute
04/20/2006, 07:00 PM
how about getting a sea urchin, they love coraline
Tebonus
04/20/2006, 07:21 PM
What type would be good for a 30 gallon?
vthondaboi
04/20/2006, 07:46 PM
kent marine pro scraper
PatMayo
04/20/2006, 10:01 PM
I use the kent scraper as well. It works the best. I don't worry about the sides or back. Only the front. And I gotta tell you it's everywhere.
Regards,
Pat
stewie24
04/20/2006, 10:21 PM
I use the kent pro scraper M (metal? lol) they come up to 36 inches long I believe.. If its real thick on the glass (like mine), you'll just have to keep chipping away at it, and it will slowly come off.
Stewie
chip721
04/20/2006, 10:25 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7212737#post7212737 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tebonus
... Any recommendations for quick removal. Here's my scraper. $1 worth of 1/2" pvc and 50 cents for single edge disposable razor blades. I can reach any where in my tank -- front to back, top to bottem.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c154/chip721/Myscraper.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c154/chip721/Reach.jpg
nataz
04/21/2006, 06:05 AM
Thank u chip!! U just saved me $38.oo,i like urs better.
fishfreak2407
04/21/2006, 08:16 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7218174#post7218174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chip721
Here's my scraper. $1 worth of 1/2" pvc and 50 cents for single edge disposable razor blades. I can reach any where in my tank -- front to back, top to bottem.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c154/chip721/Myscraper.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c154/chip721/Reach.jpg
NICE:cool:
Riptide10
04/21/2006, 08:19 AM
I was under the impression that most hobbyists just let the stuff grow on the back plane of glass and only keep it off the front/sides? Hell I've seen some tanks where they only kept the front pane clear.
PatMayo
04/21/2006, 08:32 AM
The front pane is the only one that I am keeping clear. I would rather look at it then clean it. (The glass that is)
The other parts of my maintenance routine are uncompromising.
Regards.
Pat
chip721
04/21/2006, 10:06 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7219560#post7219560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Riptide10
I was under the impression that most hobbyists just let the stuff grow on the back plane of glass and only keep it off the front/sides? This tank is a 54g corner. So the back and sides are somewhat the same. I let the coraline go for awhile but I really didn't like it. You can see the opposing panes create a mirrored effect; and the reflection gives me an easy look behind my live rock. I don't have a problem getting it to grow. I just try to keep this corner coraline free.
tulkas71
04/21/2006, 10:18 AM
..or you can have just mediocre water conditions like me and not have any at all :rolleyes:
stewie24
04/21/2006, 11:19 AM
Thats a nice little home made DIY scraper. Perhaps you should share it with others in the DIY forum.
Stewie
NemoNewbie
04/21/2006, 12:27 PM
I bought a little gadget from Exotic Tropicals in Rogers, AR. I live just north of Branson, MO and drive about 2 1/2 hours one way to get to the LFS because it is so awesome. The gadget was about $30.00 and I glued it on my Mag Float. So when I use the Mag Float it automatically scrapes it off. I have major coraline algae and typically I don't even have to go over the spot twice. It was a great investment!!
jhruppel
04/21/2006, 12:50 PM
I have a 93 gal bow front that I made the mistake of putting way to close to the wall. I can't get behind it to use a mag scraper, so for now I've just let the back go. My tang tries to eat it, but doesn't get far.
Alaskan Reefer
04/21/2006, 05:40 PM
I scrape the front only on my tank. In my old 75, I tried to keep up everywhere and it just takes too much effort. :) I have the Kent scrapers in the long and short lenghts to make it easier along with extra blades of course. Razor blades work as well, I just don't like doing the detail work around my silicone with a razor blade for fear of slipping and cutting into the seal.
Urchins won't help you -- I have a diadema (black longspine) in my 13 week old 125 gallon system, and my back and side glass has about 50% coverage at this point. They do eat it, but the spores go everywhere in the mess they create and it just grows back stronger. I'm quite certain the the presence of my diadema (along with of course strong ALK and CA, low nutrients, and strong flow) is why I have such great coverage after just 13 weeks. Sends the stuff everywhere.
Take my coraline, please! :)
PatMayo
04/21/2006, 06:01 PM
Alaskan Reefer,
I have a lot of the coralline as well. I really don't mind the look. I was thinking at one time of getting an urchin, but I am told they are quite strong and can/do move rocks around. I don't have my rock attached or glued so it could get pushed around quite easily. So for that reason I decided not to get one.
Randy in the Chemistry forum echoed what you said regarding the coralline coming back stronger than ever once the urchin clears some out. Well I figure is none gets cleared out then maybe eventually it will slow it's grwoth.
I don't think it looks bad and have just resigned myself to keeping just the front glass cleaned as well. Too much work otherwise.
Riptide10,
As I understand it Coralline is typically an idicator of decent water quality. I don't know if I would charecterize it as great water quality, maybe it is, nevertheless most times when it grows the conditions are right and it has a tendancy to outcompete the pest algae. Although you can still get both.
fishfreak2407,
Maybe I and others can help you with that problem. What are your parameters? Alkalinity, Calcium, Magnesium, SG, temp, how long has the tank been up, flow gph, lights, substrate type, water source etc. I am convinced that there are certain things you can do to get this stuff going and I don't think it is rocket science. (it may be chemistry though)
Regards,
Pat
ugination87
04/21/2006, 06:38 PM
get a pencil urchin. not only does it look cool, it will eat all ur coraline~!
LOL, this thread is funny. I'm still trying to grow the stuff :D
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