Algae Scrapers?

[Luke & Penny]

Ive got the good old magnetic algae scapers for my tank but it doesnt bring marine algae off very well, we have one of them long scrapers that you can attach an old style razor blade to it, Has anyone used these?, and if so does it scratch you glass?, I was just worried as scraping a razor blade down glass doesnt sound too convincing.

cheers

 

[annka5]

I used to use one like that, glass was fine, but you need to be VERY careful of the silicone seals!

 

[chishnfips]

I have one but not with razor blades . its got a plastic scraper on the end and a plant planter on the other end. it works remarkably well and doesn't scratch the glass. , (both ends).

 

[ncjharris]

I would be very suprised if you could scratch the glass with a razor blade unless you are a bit careless!
Acrylic is another matter though..........

 

[rdd1952]

The razor blades are fine on glass. There actually much less chance of scratching the glass with a razor blade than there is of scratching it with sand if it gets between the glass ond one of the magnetic cleaners. Just be careful around the corners and the silicone seal as someone already mentioned. You don't want to scrape the seal off and have a leaky tank.

 

[Weaver]

I (carfully) use a stanley knife blade on difficult algae and scrape it off by hand

 

[jacquie]

I have one of the long handled which takes a razor blade in a plastic case, and its great - have also used a credit card at an angle in the past but would highly recommend the razor blade!!

 

[dgwebster]

I have one but not with razor blades . its got a plastic scraper on the end and a plant planter on the other end. it works remarkably well and doesn't scratch the glass. , (both ends).

I have not long purchased one of these, from Pets@home. Another above has mentioned this kind, its plastice, but if you remove it from the holder, should be able to seperate the two plastic bits and insert a razor blade/stanley knife blade between. Then again, you may just have an annoying one that doesnt allow it. But at £1.69 from pets@home, from the sounds of some peoples reaction to these, worth the 2 quid.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

razor blades wont scratch the glass unless you use the corner of the blade and try to scratch it. sand scratches glass easier because its just as hard as glass

 

[Durbkat]

I very, very seldomly get algae in it. The only tank that could get algae is my long 20g but my pleco gets it all up if anything ever got in there. But if there ever is algae I use this algae scraper that has a soft sponge on one end and a long handle on the other end.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

oh yeah, just so you guys know, new razor blades usually have a little oil on them

 

[steelhealr]

Old credit card without the magnetic tape. Best scraper in the world. SH

 

[dgwebster]

oh yeah, just so you guys know, new razor blades usually have a little oil on them

I've noticed here with alot of the time that spare stanley blades (esp cheap ones from pound stores - picked up 60 plus a knife holder/blade dispenser from one yesterday) they are not oiled but once inserted into the handle get that lovely coating. However, a good point well made as some do come rather slick.

 

[Luke & Penny]

Cheers for your input peeps

Now off to get some, will try the credit card aswell its just that on my tank it would beeasier in some parts ie the back wall to use an extended arm. Yeah the one i have is where the plastic holder comes out the bottom you snap it open and place the blade in the slot and then close it back and place back on the rod, the other end has a planter.