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Glass Cleaners

RyanR
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RyanR Rising Star

RyanR

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For cleaning algae off of the glass, do you prefer Bristlenose or Nerite snails or something else?  Mystery snails are not that great for keeping the glass clean.  I already have Ottos.  Thanks.

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Mmiller2001 Grand Master

Mmiller2001

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On 4/30/2024 at 10:04 AM, RyanR said:

That was my other option.  I'm getting lazy in my old age...lol.

😆, me too! Honestly, I’ve found magic eraser to be the safest way to not scratch the glass. I’ll drain the tank half way and get to work on it.

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Seattle_Aquarist Experienced

Seattle_Aquarist

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Hi @RyanR,

Like @Mmiller2001 I too have used melamine sponges for several years to clean most algae types off of my glass.  Make sure that they have no detergent or cleaning solution in them.  I pick mine up on Ebay 3/4" Heavy Duty ones with texture on one side for less than $0.15 each in purchase of 50.  I use one for about 3 weeks and then use a new one (I'm cleaning 6 tanks).  However, for that really stubborn green spot algae (GSA) or black brush algae (BBA) I don't like to scrub that hard even with the melamine pads so I use a Lil' Chizler plastic scraper also on Ebay for about $2 each if you buy 5.  Not only does it do well on the flat glass but with the curved corners I can clean the corners of my tank as well.  I've only gone through one in 6 months. Hope this helps! -Roy

We used them as gift bag stuffers for our club BIG General earlier this month....can you guess the Latin??
20240422LilChizlerCroppedAdjSnSm.jpg.dc07d4946a171403643f29339c8cf786.jpg

Edited by Seattle_Aquarist
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MattyM Experienced

MattyM

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I don't have Bristlenose, but I will say my nerites and ramshorns clean the glass well. But even so, I like the magic eraser things that the coop sells. I don't get enough algae on the glass to need a beefier scraper and I live how the algae/gunk sticks to them vs floating off into the water. 

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JoeQ Grand Master

JoeQ

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Biological control l I like hillstream loaches

Botanical control I like floaters

As for Mechanical Algae control I like a credit card and a new, non chemically treated dish sponge/scouring pad.

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Shrimpee Collaborator

Shrimpee

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On 4/30/2024 at 11:59 AM, RyanR said:

For cleaning algae off of the glass, do you prefer Bristlenose or Nerite snails or something else?  Mystery snails are not that great for keeping the glass clean.  I already have Ottos.  Thanks.

Razor blades are my #1 pick. You just gotta be careful to not hit any snails with it

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RyanR Rising Star

RyanR

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On 5/5/2024 at 8:53 PM, Jeff said:

This is the best I've ever seen and tried. It's so good - better than any mag float type of device you'll try. What makes it so good, is it goes easy on the silicone in the corners. 

https://www.aquariumcoop.com/collections/cleaning-supplies/products/algae-scrubber

I got some in on Friday. They worked great on that stubborn glass algae that even Nerites have a problem with. 

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gabdewulf Enthusiast

gabdewulf

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Ikea has a nice bathroom rubber squeeze that's great for quick glass cleaning. I only really worry about the front viewing glass as that other is nice fry food.

 

Also Who Dat.

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Seattle_Aquarist Experienced

Seattle_Aquarist

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On 5/5/2024 at 6:53 PM, Jeff said:

This is the best I've ever seen and tried. It's so good - better than any mag float type of device you'll try. What makes it so good, is it goes easy on the silicone in the corners. 

https://www.aquariumcoop.com/collections/cleaning-supplies/products/algae-scrubber

Hi @Jeff,  lol Jeff those are the melamine sponges @Mmiller2001 and I were talking about.....many different sources.  -Roy

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RyanR Rising Star

RyanR

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On 5/6/2024 at 2:21 PM, Xr4tiCrew said:

The Algae Scrubbers are great from ACO but I would also recommend this, Amazon.com : Pronetcus Algae Scraper for Glass Aquariums, Fish Tank Cleaner, Aquarium Algae Scrapers with 10 Stainless Steel Blades. : Pet Supplies

 

 

Thanks.  If I can buy something from ACO, I will try.  I know their products are close to the best quality, especially for the money.  In addition I know I won't get ripped off, customer service is a 10+ out of 10.  Amazon makes since for a lot of things, but if I can support a company I know and maybe only spend a couple of dollars more, I'm supporting ACO.

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Xr4tiCrew Enthusiast

Xr4tiCrew

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On 5/6/2024 at 1:35 PM, RyanR said:

Thanks.  If I can buy something from ACO, I will try.  I know their products are close to the best quality, especially for the money.  In addition I know I won't get ripped off, customer service is a 10+ out of 10.  Amazon makes since for a lot of things, but if I can support a company I know and maybe only spend a couple of dollars more, I'm supporting ACO.

I am all for supporting ACO as well. But I guess what I am saying is that you need both. Sometimes the algae scrubbers from ACO are just not enough to get the glass 100 % clean. 

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Tony s Grand Master

Tony s

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I believe the coop sponge scrubbers are the same material as Mr. Clean magic erasers, unscented. (I could be wrong). and you can get those in bulk for relatively cheap.

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  • 2 weeks later...
gardenman Veteran

gardenman

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Plastic razor blades are my favorite for scraping algae. They're hard enough to remove the algae and soft enough not to damage the glass. They're dirt cheap at Amazon and even come with a plastic holder or holders for next to nothing. (I think I paid under $7 for four scrapers and sixty blades.) You can use one blade holder for each tank and not have to worry about cross-contaminating any tank. I'm still on my first blade and it's still working great. No metal in the holders, they're all plastic, so no rust or corrosion issues.

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Sammy Enthusiast

Sammy

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On 5/6/2024 at 6:01 AM, gabdewulf said:

Ikea has a nice bathroom rubber squeeze that's great for quick glass cleaning. I only really worry about the front viewing glass as that other is nice fry food.

 

Also Who Dat.

You nailed it.

Same here. Most of my stock eat a bit of algae (or the critters in it).

All my fry tanks have algae in it - free food.

I use a razor blade holder now but the Ikea scrubber was effective. 

WHODAT 

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Ravelle Apprentice

Ravelle

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I have one of those sticks with a razerblade on them from Superfish but honestly I prefer to just grab a dish sponge and dip my arms in,  it's way more thorough and quicker and I got a scratch or two because some gravel got in the way while using the tool.

Edited by Ravelle
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