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Hi Everyone!

I have lost control of my 29 gallon tank. I have been away for a few months, so I have had someone else taking care of my tank. Needless to say there is a black algae that have just taken over.

I am going to just tear down the setup and start over. I only had two fish in there anyways. The lfs said they would gladly take then.

My problem is this. The algae just won't come off of certain items that I've already taken out, such as my powerhead's suction cups. Is there something I can soak these parts in that would remove the algae? I am also moving in the next few weeks so I was going to have to start over anyways. I would imagine there is something I can soak everything in to remove the algae. Thanks!

-Josh

maybe bleach i know it saved my sisters tank from BGA but im not sure about BBA

jmara

I just did a Google "Black Algae" there seems to a lot of infomation there on its removal.

Keith

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ive used bleach mixed with water about 1 to 4 mixture. i soak my fake plants, and little tank doodads, rise till you cant smell bleach anymore and im all good. Never lost a fish doing this.

www.responsiblethrashers.com

Thanks!!!

-Josh

I have one hurdle though. I have a piece of driftwood in the tank. How do I treat that? I can't bleach that, can I? Should I treat the gravel somehow as well? I just have "aquarium gravel"?

-Josh

For rocks and drift wood I just let the sun bleach them. Always works for me. J/L

Here is a "stupid" question...Lets say I don't quite get all the bleach out of the parts, how will that effect the chemistry? Thought that would be a good question to ask in case I make a huge mistake


-Josh

im sorry i cant answer that one. But when ive rinsed my parts free of bleach ive often felt uneasy thinking im still smelling bleach. but i get tired of standing there rinseing so i just put them back in my tank. everything always turned out ok.

a little note use hot water with the bleach it seems to work faster and i agree with Gaulent just let the sun bleach the wood and rocks cause the wood might soak up the bleach and it wont come out.

ive also tried just regualr vineger to clean my stuff but bleach seems to work a whole lot better.

www.responsiblethrashers.com

I've let the driftwood sit outside all day...I think I'll let "her cook" for another day or two. I've noticed that the algae dried up really nicely. What do I do after the sun has baked it, scrap off the dried algae?


-Josh

For the driftwood I'd soak in bleak and hot water, scrub it before and after.. Black algae you're referring to may be a type of cyanobacteria, there may be spores under the surface layer of the wood..

Rinse wood well, then I'd soak in water with extra dechlorinator in it..

Then, boil, bake for a short time in oven, 15 to 20 min, boil again.
Done.



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