What is the best way to keep plastic aquarium plants clean?

Baking soda will not harm the fish (just be sure to rinse it off well!) I usually use it to clean decor once in a while.

Snails and pelcos do not feed on algae, unless desperate. So do not listen to any algae eater advice.

Brown algae is nasty stuff that grows in low lighting. Green algae is much more beneficial to the tank (oxygenates the water) It requires lots of sunlight and a powerful hood however.

I find that a dry paper towel works well on flat leaves, and a bristle brush on smaller leaves. You may not like this, but one of the best ways to prevent algae is to get live plants. They use up the nutrients and gases in the tank, "starving out" the brown goop.

Either way, your tank will be a bit of work.

EDIT: I just read the top answer. NEVER NEVER use soap. Soap film is practically impossible to rinse completely off and is very toxic to aquatic life. Do not let it near your tank! A diluted bleach solution is ok because it will evaporate entirely.

It's a huge pain, btu it still seems like a lot less work than having live plants! When I had my aquariums, and I am by no means an expert, I used the algae killing solutions as directed, and also had some snails and Plecos, but when the plastic plants, gravel, etc., still ended up getting pretty dingy, I waited until I was doing normal tank cleanings or water exchanges, and pulled the plants out, and scrubbed them as well as I could, usually with a super scrubby sponge or a toothbrush, first with regular diluted dish soap, then with a very, very diluted mix of bleach and water. Then rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse, until you're sure that it's all rinsed off of the plants, so you don't make your fishies sick! It seemed to work OK in my tanks, and sometimes I even used to "algae-blocking" tabs as well, which made at least a little bit of difference.

dont know about bennet but my pleco only eats leftovers poo and ALGE(how do i know...well for some reasoon if u look at his poo there is almost always a section or majority that is green)!...for the plastic use either the baking soda paste (baking soda and water) mentioned before or a really hot water&bleach&aquarium salt bath...then rinse clean brush if needed...the bog wood id just rinse and brush like ur doin...no more than 6 hours a day please:D it will help with the alge problem, also petsmart sells a little herbavour his name is otocynthis or something but with the fish u got he'll be lunch...so either a snail ur cories wont kill or a pleco for the stuff in the tank after you scrub with a good sponge:D

Your aquarium may be getting too much light. If it's near a window, keep the shade/blinds closed for a longer # of hours. Also, try to keep the tank lights off for more hours. Light encourages algae growth.

Do about 8 or 9 hrs of light this should help

Cut back on the light that should help, 8 hours on is fine for the fish.

Are you using a household light like a reading light or a desk lamp? If so that is the reason.

Get a proper light and a stronger filter.

Good luck!!

put them in the dishwasher (with no soap)