Algae guide
Cladophora Algae: The Tough Scrubbing Pad Algae and How to Eradicate It
Last updated: May 2026
Quick summary
- What it is: Coarse branching green macroalga behaving like abrasive steel wool gripping wood, sponges—even commercial moss balls clones.
- Severity: 3 / 4 — Moderate but stubborn once entrenched deep in sponges
- Primary cause: Introduced aboard décor, wild-collected botanicals or misidentified ‘moss balls’ sharing identical genus clones.
- Primary fix: Targeted oxidative dips on hardyscape only, toothbrush mechanical demolition, antibiotic escalation only when experts supervise.
Filter hygiene
Remove intake sponges bristling filamentous lumps—silent biofilm factories reseed strands each clean Sunday otherwise.
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