I have some plastic plants, and quite a few silk plants.(No more live plants ever since the parasite incident)

Just wondering if there is an easy, and effective way to clean them.
They basically just get algae on them from time to time. I've been scrubbing them by hand. That works, but it seems I can never get all the algae off that way.

Should I just put in some of that stuff that kills algae?

Is there a better way of doing it?

Thanks

Hi, try not to use chemicals or special products to reduce algae if you can. The most efficient way is regular partial water changes to keep NitrAte and phosphate levels down.

Also try to encourage some green algae growth in your tank as apart from looking quite nice it is a benificial food source for your fish and keeps your tank in a good biologocal balance.

I'm assuming your talking about brown algae really, I agree it can be very frustrating to find your tank furniture covered in the stuff.

What I tend to do is just rinse plastic plants in either some removed tank water or tap water (be aware tap water will kill any benificial bacteria living on them though) I use a toothbrush (you know some of those cheap ones that are bad for teeth!) and just gently brush the algae off each leave, front and back and the stem. It can take some time, but it works quite well. I find it quite therapuetic really! I proably do this about once every two weeks but I try not to do it too regularly.

If you're getting masses of brown algae you need to make sure you have adequate lighting in your tank and you're not overfeeding your fish, but like I said the best way to keep levels down is regular water changes.

I'm sure someone else will be along with some more advice soon, hope I've helped a bit.