Algae build up and removal

cavemanoc · 21 Jul 2025 at 11:37

I had to shut down the wall build for a bit and noticed a significant build up of algae in the res, and, to a lesser degree, in the block.

I used Mayhems Pure and the UV (blue) clear fluid which I assumed had all the required fungicides in it. It was supposed to glow blue under UV light, but unfortunately the fluid never really lived up to expectation. I'll replace it with either a clear, or a light blue fluid.

Couple of questions. What's the best way to clear/clean the algae without dismantling the rig (I really don't want to take it off the wall)? What's the best fluid to prevent this happening again?

cavemanoc · 22 Jul 2025 at 22:32

Vidar said:
Distilled white vinegar for the win! Unlike the above though, I create a small loop using a tiny submersible pump running the return tube into a coffee filter. Leave that running for 20 minutes or so, and then reverse the flow. Removes absolutely everything you don't want. Then just flush tge vinegar out with Mayhems pure or similar and you're golden.

Another vote for X1 Clear here! Zero issues with it, ever.... tastes like absolute **** though!

Exactly what I was thinking. I’ll use a large bucket and see if a decent run is enough to shift the gunk. At least the coffee filter will tell the story. I’m sure I’ve got some X1 in the loop along with everything else already. I’m thinking I might just add another dose of biocide in to be sure once it’s clean. Anyone still use silver inserts to kill the algae in loops anymore?

cavemanoc · 23 Jul 2025 at 09:16

All the fluids were Mayhems, so should all have the required inhibitors. Would be surprised if mixing nullified the effects but I guess it’s a possibility. The UV glow was a core part of the build, hence the use, but given it didn’t work I’ll probably just go with either X1 clear as you suggested, or a light blue fluid.

cavemanoc · 23 Jul 2025 at 11:00

Better safe than sorry - especially given the faff of tearing down the build. X1 it is

cavemanoc · 23 Jul 2025 at 22:02

Hadn’t really considered that as it is all Mayhems stuff, but I guess mixing them could have caused a reaction. Wouldn’t mind so much if the UV had worked and given the effect I was after - oh well - lesson learned. It’s a shame that all the cool effects are such high maintenance, would have really loved to run one of the pearlescent blue fluids, would have been awesome.