Cleaning The Inside Tank Wall

[*Fishkies*]

First of all I must say this is a great forum for asking questions! I love all the variety of opinions and responses!

My question is.....
What is the best thing to use to clean or have clean the tank walls? I have a 55 gallon tank. Has anyone tried those magnet scrubbers, or do you think apple snails are good? What do you use and what do you think is best? Thanks for responses in advance!!

 

[rdd1952]

I have one of the magnet cleaners. They are good for cleaning the light stuff. They won't work on heavy algae build ups. I try to make a swipe around the tank walls with mine a couple times a week, not counting water change days. I'm not familiar with apple snails at all.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Thanks for the comment about the magnet cleaners. I wasn't sure how well they worked.

 

[wendywc]

I just stick my arm in and scrub the glass with some leftover blue filter padding. A couple of times, my tank had hard green algae spotting the glass, so I scraped it off with a razor.

 

[Pidgecbr600rr]

My magnet cleaner (mag-clean) works fine a couple of passes and no algae, it cant get into the corners too well though so i tend to use an old toothbrush to do those occasionally, which is also handy to keep decor clean too anyway.

 

[doresy]

I tried a couple of those magnetic cleaners but found they juddered and freaked the fish out Like "wendywc" I now go for the hands in approach with a bit of filter foam (making sure to rinse my whole arm first) I do this slowly and the fish love it judging by the fact that they chase and nibble my arm

 

[cheesy feet]

i have recently descovered that juwel Poly Pads are great for cleaning aquariums.

 

[showjyr]

I love my magnet cleaner(when i need to clean my glass at all). A piece of old filter material between the scrubber and the glass works even better and doesn't chatter or jump. I rarely if ever have to clean my large tank. My apple snail(large at over 2 inches), Ramshorn snail, Pleco, Suckermouth Cat, Rainbow Shark, and two Red Tail Sharks keep it nearly spottless. Haven't seen a speck of algae in over 5 months. Red Cherry shrimp and Trumpet snails work very well in my other Tank.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Wow, thanks for all the great responses! I see a lot of you use the magnet cleaner, so i'll have to think about getting one possibly.

 

[TammyLiz]

Be careful if you have sand not to get a grain of it between the glass and the magnet cleaner. It can scrape the glass up pretty badly. I bought my 55 gallon tank second hand and the previous owners made a mess of it like that.

I haven't bothered to invest in a magnet cleaner for my tank. I just use the edge of a credit card. However, with this method I do end up with my arm in the tank.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Yeah, nice thought. I have gravel in my tank, but I never thought about that with sand.

 

[MoonstruckMuse]

Cleaning it with the magnets or by hand always works well, but easily the most fun is.... Apple Snails. It's awesome to see their funny little mouths & body glide over the glass and leave a clean streak behind if your tank is seriously dirty. And besides, having a giant snail in your tank is always an amusing piece of decoration and a beautiful pet. They're my personal favorite, at least.

 

[TammyLiz]

Cleaning it with the magnets or by hand always works well, but easily the most fun is.... Apple Snails. It's awesome to see their funny little mouths & body glide over the glass and leave a clean streak behind if your tank is seriously dirty. And besides, having a giant snail in your tank is always an amusing piece of decoration and a beautiful pet. They're my personal favorite, at least.

I've heard they need cool water. Is this true?

 

[Clown loach lover]

I use magnetic cleaners. They only judd when the tank is relatively new or clean. Filter pads are ok and as you say the fish just follow and nibble your arm, not so good when you have oscars and parrote though!!!!

 

[kpintheshed]

I have one of the magnet cleaners. They are good for cleaning the light stuff. They won't work on heavy algae build ups. I try to make a swipe around the tank walls with mine a couple times a week, not counting water change days. I'm not familiar with apple snails at all.

how do magnet cleaners work