This sounds like calcarous deposits.I suggest you fill the aquarium with cold fresh water to a level above the deposits and leave it for a few days. Then use an aquarium razor scraper (beware of silicone seals!) which should remove it. If any is particularly stubborn use some vinegar, this should defeat it.

Then if you wish to ensure the aquarium is sterile, empty all the fresh water out and leave it empty and dry for two weeks. Nasties that are relevant to salt water cannot stand dessication. Actually, the soaking in fresh water should do them down anyway.

A lot of this depends upon what the aquarium is made from. If it is glass then yes a razor blade can be used, if it is acrylic then the blade may scratch the acrylic.

Another one to consider is the use of an algae magnet. The cleaning aspect in on the inside of the aquarium and the handle is on the outside – therefore you do not need to put your hands in the aquarium which the fish will appreicate.

With regards to your second question then yes there are animals which can be used to assist with the cleaning of the aquarium glass/acrylic however you need to consider if the aquarium will happily take another fish without stressing the filtration. Also consider that once the algae is gone that the fish will need to be fed algae food to keep it heallthy.

Hope this helps,

Peter

I have heavy algea on the insde of my 20 gallon tank with two 11 year old regular goldfish in it. The first question is, historically I’ve been using a white cloth rag to clean the algea, but these days the fish do not seem to react, to it very well, so can I use a clean razor blade instead of a glass scraper to clean the algea, and don’t I need to remove the algea from the tank as it is seperatged from the glass? The second question is, can I buy a safe algea eating fish like those that suck on the walls and rocks or perhaps a snail, or will their presence and waste disrupt my goldfish environment.

Thanks in advance for insight offered!

If the clown fish do breed then initially there will be loads of eggs stuck to the rocks in the aquarium, When they hatch there will be loads of little fish in the aquarium.

There may be other fish in the aquarium which may eat them. They may get sucked into an overflow, protein skimmer etc.

If they are removed from the aquarium and placed into a breeder tank then there will be nothing to hurt them and they will be able to grow and get stronger.

Alex.

It does sound like it – I hope so anyway.

Quite often clownfish when they pair up do become different sizes with the larger one being the female. The female can become protective and at time aggressive when ‘brooding’ and the male does often tend to stay away but keep a look out.

What I would recommend is to monitor them closely and see if you can locate any eggs anywhere. Quite often the female will choose a location which she finds suitable and then thoroughly clean it prior to laying the eggs. At this point the fish will become very defensive as they protect their eggs and will even have a go at the reefers hand when it is placed to close.

Have a think as well in relation to what you will do if they are breeding. Will you leave them in the aquarium and hope for the best or attempt to remove them and place them into a breeder where you can care for them.

Keep an eye on them and let us know how it progresses.

Excellent news if little clownfish are on the horizon.

thank you!

Alex.