What is the easiest and safest way to clean algae off of silk aquarium plants?

I have a bunch of silk aquarium plants and would like to know the easiest and safest (for the fish) way to clean algae off of them. Its the brown algae not the green.|||Depending on the size of your tank, you could add a siamese flying fox - they will consume brown algae - not all algae eaters will.





I soak my silk plants in a bucket, the rub the leaves between my hands - this seems to get the algae off rather well.|||All the answers are good from magnetic cleaners to scouring pads work and certain algae eating fish work. You have an excess amount of nutrients in your tank. You'll need to do Partial Water Changes (PWC) weekly as a regular part of tank maintenance and test your aquarium water for pH levels, Ammonia levels, Nitrate and Nitrite levels too. My guess is these are high probably from poor tank maintenance and overfeeding. If your tank is over-crowded, you will have a lot of ammonia and a lowered oxygen amount in your water. Like wise, if the pH is on the high alkaline side, ammonia poisoning is a constant danger. The filter converts ammonia and ammonium into nitrites and then into nitrates. If nitrate levels become too high (150 mg) per liter of water, it should be lowered by PWC's and will harm fish and plants, especially those of the Cryptocoryne species and then the rotting stuff will raise levels.


I use a green scouring pad to clean algae off my inside the tank glass and a razor blade to get the water lines off the glass which are mineral deposits from hard water out of the water pipe. Take the decorations out and clean it with a pad and running warm to hot water.


You also need to let us know what kind of algae you have whether it's green, brown, or any other type.


I can give you a website that will help you. Just copy and paste to your browser and you can read up on it.


http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/Brown_alg鈥?whatever you do,


DO NOT USE HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS to clean your stuff. Be sure to do about a 40% water change ASAP and get yourself a gravel vaccum from your local pet shop and clean the waste that has accumulated in the gravel to help bring the high levels down. Sounds like you'll need to do more than just look at the fish and feed them from now on. I also recommend you try and get a better filter for your tank. Hope this helps.|||Go to your local lfs and ask them what types of algae eaters(such as a pleco, snails, chinese algae eater, oto cats, etc) you could put in your tank that would be compatible with your existing fish. Its always easier if someone else does the cleaning for you, and watching your tank get cleaner without the work is always a bonus.|||When performing a water change, take the plants ot and rinse in the water removed.|||You should take them out and wipe them off. Then put them back in. It might make the fish tense, but they will be ok.|||Don't they still sell algae eaters?