Tank Cleaning

[Matty P]

Just just wondering what everybody uses to clean the glass / acrylic on their tanks and why?

 

[rabbut]

Numerous things...Magnetic algae scraper because its quick, easy and seams to stress my fish out less. They aren't too great for the heavy-duty stuff though. For this I use a rough sponge. I use algea eating fish and shrimp for the plants, wood, rocks and substrate, as I have found no other way of cleaning it of the stuff while in-situe.

HTH
Rabbut

 

[rdd1952]

I use a magnet between water changes, an algae glove during water changes and have a plec and SAEs in one of my tanks. I don't have an algae problem so I dont' have to worry too much about it. I found the scrapers to be pretty useless as you can't get enough leverage to "cut" anything from the glass.

 

[Matty P]

I've never used the algae gloves before are they any good?

 

[-SPB-]

I don't use magnets, had one and it scatched my tank!!! I use a long scraper

 

[OohFeeshy]

I don't normally bother, unless it's annoying me when I'll probably find an old sponge laying around or use some filter floss...

 

[hollyp0p]

i don't really have to, don't get algae really.....but when i have i use an outdated AA membership card...lol

 

[Matty P]

Lol, if your tank isn't in direct sunlight algae isn't usually a problem anyway.

 

[Shrimper]

I have shrimp and snails for most algae in the tank, For the bits they don't eat i have a scraper that i use for the glass in my smaller tank.

I am going to buy a magnetic scraper for my larger tank at the weekend as the scraper i've got won't reach the bottom of the tank without getting my hand wet!

 

[TribeOfShroom]

Voted: Other = my tounge lol

 

[Matty P]

I have a magnetic cleaner for our big marine tank as well as the CUC, but I just use a sponge and scraper in the FW set-up as its about 8 times smaller than the marine tank. It doesn't take much to scrape the algae if you do it regularly, it's when it builds (e.g. when on holiday/or feeling a bit lazy) it becomes a bit of a pain to remove.

 

[Jules H-T]

I have a big magnetic scraper, and a long scraper with a plastic head insert, plus a long scraper with a razor blade insert.

It is very very rare that I need to use any of them on my 150G. I have a suitable water change and light regime, and only a little direct sunlight. The 29G though needs constant attention from all 3, despite having the same water change and light regime and even less sunlight. I'm putting it down to new tank syndrome and hoping it settles over the months which it does seem to slowly be doing.

 

[Tolak]

Paper towels on fry tanks, sponges & a razor knife on others.

 

[Lizzie71]

I have a long scraper, but I also use one of those wire washing up scrubbing things (does that make sense?) - but obviously not the same one I use on my saucepans lol

Now I have shrimps they seem to be helping too.

 

[Matty P]

Would that "wire washing up scrubbin things" not scratch your glass? I thought it was quite course, not that I know anything about washing up - I could be wrong!