Back wall is Ugly...

[oniel21]

I had a hair algae problem a couple months ago and am close to beating it. The green algae on the back wall is dark and a huge eye sore. When the hair algae started, there were long strands on the back, now it's not nearly as thick and there are no hair strands left. So my questions are:
1) What kind of algae is this?
2) Should I scrape it off?
2a) If yes, should I do it all at once?
55 gal, Octopus NW200 skimmer, Koralia 1 & 3, overflow to a sump, filter socks on both inlet and outlet to sump.

 

[mie]

Pick up a tiger snail, it will be gone in a week.

 

[gmford1979]

not sure if this is what the "pro" would tell you, but when i do my water changes, i get a razor blade and scrape off stuff like that and suck it up. since you don't want to disturb your sand bed, thats when i would do it. but i tend to do some things different than most people. but i rarely have a death in the tank or algae. lots of coraline though.

 

[topfins-mj]

It looks like you need some flow against that back glass. I would suggest that you scrape it off but becarefull not to send it flying around the tank. Make sure you get it out of your tank by constantly rinsing your scrub sponge or whatever you use.
I get that kind of growth sometimes in the back area where my power head's flow don't reach much. My snails are too slow to eat it.

 

[hunter04106]

I use phosphate sponge when I have alge blomes.

 

[oniel21]

Thanks for the reponses. I didn't think of the flow.... I have a lot in the tank, but nothing directly on the back glass.
Hunter - I used Phosban early in the treatment and it did a great job.
mie - are you refrencing the Tiger Cowry?

 

[mie]

Nope not a tiger cowrie, my lfs list them as tiger snails, my big ones are the size of a plum.
Ok just called my lfs to verify and they are called zebra turbo snails. Sorry for my confusion

 

[michaeltx]

I use a razor blade just be careful to hold it right as you can cut and scratch the glass with them.
I would very weary of a snail that big if your rock work isnt secure they can bulldoze things over if it isnt secure.
Mike

 

[mie]

Fortunately my two stay mostly on the glass, and when they are on the rocks they move ever so carefull. My friend however is not so lucky with his.