Should I Clean Overflow Algae?

90G Tank with the built in overflow...
I've had it up for like 3 months, and I'm wondering if I should just leave the algae in the overflow grates up at the top, or clean it out?

Let's say the slits of grates are like 3 inches, the algae is covering the bottom 1/3 or so.

Is it good to have the algae there? Good bacteria type of thing, or just blocking water flow

 

IMO I would clean it..

It wont make a difference if its there or not anyways. Just sayin.

 

Clean it!

 

clean it or after a while it will clog up the top where you get surface skimming/overflow

 

Clean it. Lol lets think about this. Yes algae filters your water, but just a little bit of algae in the grate will have a negligible impact on your water quality. If you do not clean it, water flow through the grate will decrease. One day, it will not flow through at all. Your return pump will still be functional, and it will pump more water to the DT then can siphon down, causing the DT to overflow. Thus, you must ask yourself the following question. Would you rather have your water a tiny bit cleaner? Or would you rather have this cleaner water all over your floor? Tough one ;D

 

..I use a piece of rubber mat that I cut to fit ..it just lays on top of the overflow (90 gallon) and it is heavy enough that the critters dont push it around and it elimanates all nusance algae from growing in or around overflow...works great. : ) ..oh, and when I had this issue, I added the rubber mat..and the algae died off and has not returned..no cleaning required. ; )

 

Definitely clean it. The algae could reduce flow or clog your overflow. It may spread and get out of control in your aquarium.