Plastic plants, cleaning, algae control  -- 05/07/11
Good morning to you all , I have written before as a relative newbie in relation to my 30 Gal freshwater tank. Many thanks for a prompt reply. I have a small problem with Algae growing on my plastic plants. I have a mixture of real and plastic and all seem to be thriving. My question is, is there anyway of cleaning the plastic plants to remove Algae ?
<Yes; there are a few approaches... all from taking them out of the system, soaking them in a dilute/d bleach (chlorine) solution, rinsing, possibly further soaking in a dechlorinating solution, air-drying and replacing... to using in-tank biological cleaners of several sorts, and employing techniques to limiting algal growth/proliferation>
Other than scrubbing which invariably reduces them to bits of plastic rubbish.
<Agreed. I would not scrub>
I would like to eventually remove the plastic but for the time being have to rely on them for a bit of colour. I know its not really a fishy problem but wondered if you had any suggestions . Many thanks , Colin.
Brit/Spanish newbie. (Wonderful informative website) .
<Do please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwalgcontrol.htm
and here: http://wetwebmedia.com/clnornart.htm
Bob Fenner>

plants, faux, sel./use    1/21/11
I was wondering if I could use artificial plants from a craft store in my fresh water aquarium?
Thank you
<Some of these can work... like "silk plants" and ones that are all polyethylene. Do make sure they all lack metal "cores". A good idea to "test" them all by soaking in water for a few days, place a snail or small