Cleaning algae from tanks and plastic plants

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Karen,
    Thank you very much for the reply and good wishes! Both are very kind of you...
    Unfortunately, the plants and tank are both dry. I'll try the Applus chemicals, but I am a little worried about the water quality after using it. I'm not really sure what else to use, as I've even tried boiling water! When the algae built up, the water was beautiful, right PH, etc. It was so good that nearly all the fish were breeding like crazy and I had babies all over the place! Algae still built up on the tank walls and plants, though. Not thick, but a light green film. I've gotten most of it off the tank, but the plants are still pretty bad and I don't want to spend $250.00 on new plants...not that they're not worth it, but it's just another expense I can do without right now.
Thank you again, Karen.
Tom

Answer -
Hi Tom! Your very welcome for everything!

Wow, it sounds like you've been taking excellent care of your pet fish! Some even spawning!?! A million and one cheers to you Tom!
*Now about the algae*
~You probably should try the Applus chemical since the tank is dry. Just be sure to follow the directions closely and don't get any of the chemical into the aquarium itself.

But if you want to refrain from chemicals (I dislike using chemicals of any sort myself....) I think you could also use completely safe aquarium salt to clean your plants. What you can try is in a clean bucket or even a large clean pitcher of water, add a very large amount of salt, (on most labels of aquarium salt they recommend a dose for cleaning,) stir it a bit, then can let the plants soak in the salty water for about 15 minutes or more it just depends, then you could use an algae scrubber and scrub and wash your plants like doing the dishes, furthur hopefully removing the algae. I haven't really tried this but I know salt WILL things extremely well that normal scrubbing wouldn't do a thing for, like mineral deposites... and I am very sure this will work for cleaning your plants. If it doesn't--simply blame me completely for it. He,he,he! ;-)

I hope you can get those plants clean! Feel free to email me anymore questions you may have!

~Once again I am wishing you only the very best and I hope you can get both your aquariums setup lovely and have many, many more years of happy fishkeeping! :-)

Take care Tom~
Karen~

Karen,
    Thank you again for your help! I've been researching the plastic plant problem and after talking to several pet stores, I think I'm going to try bleach. Not straight bleach, but a diluted formula that the stores use to clean stones, gravel, etc. I realize that chlorine is a bad thing in an aquarium, but I think after setting the tank up and running good filtration for a couple weeks before adding fish, it may work. Any thoughts on the subject?
Thank you again,
Tom

Answer
Hey Tom!

~Yes, I am sure bleach would work well, I just didn't think you would want to use such a harsh chemical...But anyway, since you won't be adding any fish right away, you can simply wash the plants in diluted bleach, rinse them as many times as possible, then just let your aquarium run for a couple of weeks and be sure to add a good quality water conditioner which will help remove any traces of chlorine and bleach residue. You want to take all the precautions you can when using bleach.

~Well that should solve your problem! I hope you get your aquarium up and running well soon! Any ideas of what fish you are going to keep? Cichlids? Community? species?
just wondering.

~As always wishing you the very best with everything!~
*And your welcome for everything* ;-)

~Followups are always welcome!~ :-)
Take care and happy fishkeeping Tom!
Karen~