Hello all,

Despite our best efforts, over time it is all but impossible to avoid having algae build up on rocks, decorations, and plastic plants so I wanted to open up a discussion about useful methods of bringing these items back to the same shape they were on day one.

Personally, I tend to clean items on an as-needed basis, usually by soaking them in a weak bleach/water solution but I also have a few items which are too large for a bucket. What would your approach to removing the tough, built up algae from these items?

Great Idea for a Thread

First I try to scrub off the algae or on a flat surface razor blade it off. The weak bleach solution is my last choice but it does work very well.
I started using a "Phos Lock" product that absorbs phosphate from the water. This has significantly reduced the build up of algae.
My local water supply has around 1 ppm phosphate in it, so every water change I reintroduce more phosphate into the aquarium.
I have had great success with algae eaters and Plecos cleaning up algae covered decor and substrate but they grow big very quickly and the
algae eaters become aggressive. The algae eaters also feast on the slime coats of larger broad body fish. Both Algae Eaters and Plecos eat
plants when not enough algae is around to eat. I have also tried using an Anti Algae product that is suppose to stop and kill algae. Results have been mixed but I seem to loose a random healthy fish every time I used it.

I'm curious to read what others are doing.