Cleaning aquarium ornaments

Question
Hi,
  A freind of mine gave his aquarium to me. But it was so stinky, it looks like he never cleaned it before. But I found the ornamnent he had was kind of expensive and i would like to keep in my other aquarium. i.e it had a sunken ship, skeleton with drum, another rock. The problem here is it is filled with green algaes. What do u recommend to clean. I tried to clean with a jet hose. But i was able to clean only little out of it. I am also trying on a experimental basis by dipping one of the ornaments in 50-50 bleach & water. But i had little success with it.
So what i would like to know is there any way to clean these ornaments or i have to throw them away. Your answer is higly appreciated.  

Answer
Hi Gemini,
Thank you for your letter. Yeah, ick, gross, green algae. You can use the oranment. Bleach probably won't help. You could try soaking it in an oxy cleaner (wash thoroughly with clear water after soaking) or try soaking it in a solution of clear water and friendly bacteria  (a product like "Cycle," available at aquarium shops). If you get most of the mold (and all of the cleaning agent) off the ornament, you can use it. If the conditions in your tank do not cause algae, the ornament will eventually clean up sitting in the water.
To prevent algae, prevent overfeeding. Here is my page for holistic aquarium care:
http://steamboats.com/aquarium.html
Write back if you want to discuss further.
Nori