klw Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 hi,im wondering how or what do people do to clean their rocks when they get covered in algae? i just turned mine over and they look brand new but eventually that side will get algae stained too.they are quite coarse rocks so scrubbing is not possible.is there something to dip them in? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genetik_defekt Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 You can use a bleach solution. This will kill the algae, but you will still have the same problem, it will come back. I leave it on my rocks and wood because it makes things look authentic. Unless your aquarium has multi coloured gravel and a giant porcelain skull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziad Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I leave it on my rocks and wood because it makes things look authentic. Unless your aquarium has multi coloured gravel and a giant porcelain skull. and a ship wreck oh and a spinning multi coloured wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krellious Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Add some bristlenose cattys. Rocks will be clean overnight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genetik_defekt Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 i kept bristlenose for along time and found them to be absolutely useless with cleaning of algae. even when they were starving. I hate BN little bastards always wanting to be fed and hiding in the day light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcloughlin2 Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Bristlenose have always worked for me. I have not done an algae scrub on a freshwater tank for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akroyd Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 hi,im wondering how or what do people do to clean their rocks when they get covered in algae? i just turned mine over and they look brand new but eventually that side will get algae stained too.they are quite coarse rocks so scrubbing is not possible.is there something to dip them in? thanks You could use Steradent. It's good for plastic plants too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6C1 Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Or a pleco or two.. They do an awesome job and mine are never shy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klw Posted May 18, 2009 Author Share Posted May 18, 2009 thanks for suggestions,i actually do have an adult pair of bn in there but they dont seem to help much, if at all!!although,maybe,the tank would be a lot worse if they werent in there,maybe im being too critical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fongyfong Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 like others said put a BN in there, but i rekon leave the algae on it it makes look nicer IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIMO Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 If you really like the clean look and can't stand the green algae that will grow on your rocks, then you could opt for a standby collection of rocks and alternate them in your tank. When the first lot gets "dirty", take them out and replace them with the clean ones. Soak the green bunch in a mild bleach solution for a week or so and by the time the second lot is "dirty", the first lot should be clean again and ready for your next swap over. Lots of work for you but at least there's one option and it should only really need to be done every 2-3 months unless the algae grows really quickly in your tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coreygrant Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 is bleach toxic to fish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIMO Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Basically....yes. However if you dilute it correctly and use it to clean any aquarium decor, you MUST rinse off all the bleach solution and wash and even soak the goodies in clean water with "Prime" or similar, added to remove all traces of chlorine from the bleach solution. It's not a quick process and all stages should be performed thoroughly. With the correct cleaning and chlorine/bleach removal, everything should be safe and good to go. Side note: People often use a product called "purigen" in their tanks to remove nasties and keep their water cystal clear and clean . This is often re-used after it gets dirty by re-generating it in a bleach solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genetik_defekt Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 the active ingrediant in bleach is chlorine. as chlorine is put into tap water to kill bacteria its will make no difference using a diluted bleach solution to puting new water in your tank, that why yoou use water ager. water ager removes chlorine. a process thats usually done by ultraviolet rays after a short period of time, hence the name water "ager" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcloughlin2 Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 I'm sorry yipp-e but that comment is way off. While the active ingrediant in Bleach is usually chlorine you can't forget about all the other nasties. Whenever you wash something in a bleach solution make sure it is rinsed very throughly and you don't just throw some water ager in the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genetik_defekt Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 im glad your sorry. you should be. anyone with common sense would wash anything thoroughly that they are placing in their tank, chemicals or no chemicals. i didnt think i really needed to go into great detail, nor did i have the time too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcloughlin2 Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 im glad your sorry. you should be. anyone with common sense would wash anything thoroughly that they are placing in their tank, chemicals or no chemicals. i didnt think i really needed to go into great detail, nor did i have the time too. I had no idea that a novice to keeping fish would be able to interpret your secret message. You said it is the same as adding new water to the tank - which is treated with water ager, not washed to remove potentially dangerous substances. the active ingrediant in bleach is chlorine. as chlorine is put into tap water to kill bacteria its will make no difference using a diluted bleach solution to puting new water in your tank, that why yoou use water ager. water ager removes chlorine. a process thats usually done by ultraviolet rays after a short period of time, hence the name water "ager" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIMO Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 We all have to be careful when we give advice to make sure we give not just the correct information, but ALL the information. We should not assume that someone will know about step one, two and three and only discuss and post information about step four. People learning about our hobby NEED to learn all the steps. As this forum is used by novices through to veterans aswell as know-it-alls, we should take our time to post correctly and accurately. No half jobs as we all know in the fish keeping hobby/business, half jobs kill fish!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yanke Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 hi i use the bleach on my rocks but then i soak them in new water over night then rinse them off and soak them again keep doing it for about 2 week then i add some ager to the water that i am soaking them in but before i put them in the tank i do a smell test if i can smell any bleach then back in for some more soaking in new water i have not lost any fish at all by doing that way yanke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genetik_defekt Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 im glad your sorry. you should be. anyone with common sense would wash anything thoroughly that they are placing in their tank, chemicals or no chemicals. i didnt think i really needed to go into great detail, nor did i have the time too. I had no idea that a novice to keeping fish would be able to interpret your secret message. You said it is the same as adding new water to the tank - which is treated with water ager, not washed to remove potentially dangerous substances. the active ingrediant in bleach is chlorine. as chlorine is put into tap water to kill bacteria its will make no difference using a diluted bleach solution to puting new water in your tank, that why yoou use water ager. water ager removes chlorine. a process thats usually done by ultraviolet rays after a short period of time, hence the name water "ager" I still stand by what i said. the nastiest thing in bleach is sodium hypochlorite S.P? and is highly concentrated if you DILUTE THE SOLUTION as stated then the other chemicals will already be diluted and pose less of a threat, and no threat if rinsed before use. Yes i probably should have added this but i assumed everyone "has" common sense, but you must know otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzah Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 whenever I have bleached something that is to go in a fish tank I have done the following 1) leave said item in a very diluted bleach solution overnight 2) leave said item in new clean water with a double dose of prime for 24hrs 3) empty the water out and repeat step 2 If you can still smell bleach on said item after a total of 48hrs soaking in fresh water with double prime dose then to be safe i repeat step 2 a third time. Following these steps I have never had a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod54 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 What fish do you keep?? What's the problem with algae on the rocks??? Personally my algae covered rocks are my prized possessions....it's all part of a biological filtration.. Most fish will pick at algae covered rocks....particularly mbuna and tropheus Can't have a marine tank without "Live rock" ....works in freshwater too. I only clean algae off glass so I can see the fish!... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oz_gooner Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 What's the problem with algae on the rocks??? I agree with Rod54. It's free food for them. Why pay for algae waffers/disks when it's all over the rocks. My rocks get a good build-up over a few weeks then the fish have a banquet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIMO Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I've also seen rocks placed in a fishless tank filled with water and left beside a window. The natural sunlight promotes algae growth and when the algae grows long enough, the rocks are placed into the main fishtank for the fish to feed on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klw Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 i keep africans and i certainly dont starve them of algae,there is still some on back of tank and a bit on the sides,they do graze on it but the rocks look really nice with no algae. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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