Using white vinegar to clean algae

Question
I have two goldfishes in a 10-gallon tank with three ceramic figures, gravel (about 5 or 6 lbs) and some gem rocks that I got at the pet store (which were prepped for fish tank use) as well as a snail, which has reproduced at least four times now.  The figures and one side of the glass tank keep get algae on them.  My husband stated that I can't use any soaps to clean it off, because it would be harmful to the fish.  I was wondering if white vinegar would clean the algae off and not harm the fish.  If I can use white vinegar, then how much do I use?   Do I have to remove the fish from the tank to clean the glass sides with the solution?  I will remove the gravel, gem stones and figures to clean them as well as rinse them well.

Answer
Hi Marcia,

You CAN use white vinegar to clean aquarium stuff. I do this all the time, since I have very hard water and lots of mineral deposits form. However you should not get very much vinegar into the aquarium itself, so it's a much better cleaner to use the way you said, by removing the decor and soaking it in the solution, then letting it dry and rinsing well. Hydrogen peroxide will also work and be safer than using bleach.

However to free the sides of the aquarium of algae, I believe you will find that the vinegar is not as effective, and you would need to remove the fish if this were your intention. One way of cleaning aquarium glass without harming the fish or disturbing them much is getting some 2000 grit sandpaper. This is usually available in the automotive department of a place like Walmart. The friction caused by the sandpaper will remove the algae (and will also remove mineral deposits!) and not harm the glass, provided you sand it wet. To remove that annoying ring that appears if you let too much water evaporate, 2000 grit sandpapaer dipped in white distilled vinegar works wonders.

Things like toothbrushes don't work well on algae, but you can use an old credit card. I use my library card because it's white (I can see the algae better against the white surface) and it's also flexible, so I can get it around corners better than a stiff card. Razorblades work on very stubborn areas, but only on glass, not acrylic aquariums!

Only use as much white vinegar as you need to saturate the object you are trying to clean. As I said, it will rinse off cleanly. If you ever choose to use bleach to whiten decorations again, a 1:10 solution of bleach and water works well, but if so it's always a fine idea to add a little extra dechlorinator to the aquarium just in case.

I hope those suggestions help! You sound like you are getting sunlight on one side of your tank - try cutting a piece of aquarium background to cover that side of the tank. You won't be able to see the fish from that side, which is a disadvantage, but that side will be algae free.

Incidentally, most soap is not as toxic to fish as most people think, it just makes a film that is impossible to remove...your aquarium will keep getting lather on the surface. I have used Dawn and hot water to clean empty aquariums and provided you rinse well, there is no harm.

Take care,
Nicole