unclenedsfishfactory.com

I have a 54 gallon corner tank that has some direct light exposure. Despite frequent cleaning with a scrubbing pad, the algae has become embedded in the glass and won't scrub off. I an okay with breaking down the tank to clean it as I am probably going to change it over soon. I just want to clean it right the first time. Any help is appreciated.
Thx,
Don

assuming it is a glass tank
I'd suggest a stainless steel Kent pro algae scraper
...we have 'em here, work great, different handle lengths

do not use chemicals

if the tank is empty
fill it with water for at least 6 hours before scraping

(the hard to clean algaes
grow very slowly...
but if it's "green paint dot" algae,
even plecos can't eat it)

I had the green dots on my 30 gallon tank. Algae scrubber wouldn't touch it, pleco didn't eat it. I finally got one of the scrapers, a couple of swipes with the scraper and they were gone. Did all the glass in a matter of minutes, definitely don't bother breaking down the tank!

I have to agree with MrkFnd on this one. I got a kent pro scraper from Ned two days ago and I now consider it an essential piece of aquarium equipment. I wish I had one a year ago- that green spot algae that just seems to accumulate for me is a pain to scrub off, and this scraper takes it off in "a matter of minutes." My four tanks all look like new.

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll pick one up on my next trip to Ned's.

Just on a side note and out of curiousity, isn't that "green spot algae" actually just a product of our hard water? I've heard it's not seen in nature and it's actually more mineral than it is true algae. Is that so?

no
I think it's a real algae
fish will eat it after you scrape it off the glass for them...
true
algae of any type will not grow well in water that is low in minerals