The best algae scraper isn't sold as one

[Joe Rice]

First let me say that I only use this on the sides and back glass of my tank (where I'm less concerned about an errant scratch) but far and away the best algae scraper I've come across is this:

• You can get them online for between $10 and $15
• The wide blade reduces the time it takes to clean the glass
• The blades are very inexpensive to replace
• The handle is very stiff allowing you to really get a lot of pressure on the blade (this makes a huge difference)
• The blades are very sharp - easily removes coralline algae in one pass

I did have to put a dollop of silicone on the hole at the end of the handle to keep it from filling up with water when submerged. It actually hasn't scratched the glass but I still defer to my Tunze scraper for the front glass.

 

[ichthyogeek]

Awesome! But....what is it?

 

[Joe Rice]

Awesome! But....what is it?

Lol. I guess I forgot that detail. It's often sold as a wallpaper/paint/sticker scraper or just a razor scraper. Like this one:

Amazon product ASIN B07CW8CHSD

I just picked mine up at the hardware store.

 

[ReQuackulous]

Any tips for acrylic?

 

[j.falk]

Any tips for acrylic?

Don't use a razor blade on it. :D

 

[ReQuackulous]

Lol roger that

 

[Biglew11]

Any tips for acrylic?

scraperite plastic razor blades
Amazon product ASIN B015RQ0REUplastic scraperite blade holder
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/cata...B0onbDt3vSOvpKwrphv4kOyuCU_BHgIxoC-30QAvD_BwE

 

[Homebrewer]

First let me say that I only use this on the sides and back glass of my tank (where I'm less concerned about an errant scratch) but far and away the best algae scraper I've come across is this:

• You can get them online for between $10 and $15
• The wide blade reduces the time it takes to clean the glass
• The blades are very inexpensive to replace
• The handle is very stiff allowing you to really get a lot of pressure on the blade (this makes a huge difference)
• The blades are very sharp - easily removes coralline algae in one pass

I did have to put a dollop of silicone on the hole at the end of the handle to keep it from filling up with water when submerged. It actually hasn't scratched the glass but I still defer to my Tunze scraper for the front glass.

Own it. Got mine in the tile section of the hardware store.

I don’t use it all the time (have a piranha float for everyday use), but if you’re doing some big maintenance and want to “reset” the glass, there is no better tool

 

[WVNed]

I slotted a piece of PVC pipe and stuck a blade in it.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I slotted a piece of PVC pipe and stuck a blade in it.

I did something similar with fiberglass rod, but it doesn’t hold the blade firm. Plastic would “give” and hold the blade better!

 

[WVNed]

I used a hobby tool called a razor saw. It makes a very thin slot.

 

[LostInTheDark]

I used to order these from China but they sell them on Amazon now:
Amazon product ASIN B07GFDGJJW

I use regular blades in them.

 

[38bill]

I did something similar with fiberglass rod, but it doesn’t hold the blade firm. Plastic would “give” and hold the blade better!

I use a wood dowel, cut a kerf in it for the blade and then hot melt glue it for support. The glue is easy to cut and peel off for a blade change.

 

[stephen wyard]

I use a flipper but also use utility blades.Buy at home depot they have a strong back on them so you can hang on without the cuts.cheap also

 

[GeoSquid]

First let me say that I only use this on the sides and back glass of my tank (where I'm less concerned about an errant scratch) but far and away the best algae scraper I've come across is this:

• You can get them online for between $10 and $15
• The wide blade reduces the time it takes to clean the glass
• The blades are very inexpensive to replace
• The handle is very stiff allowing you to really get a lot of pressure on the blade (this makes a huge difference)
• The blades are very sharp - easily removes coralline algae in one pass

I did have to put a dollop of silicone on the hole at the end of the handle to keep it from filling up with water when submerged. It actually hasn't scratched the glass but I still defer to my Tunze scraper for the front glass.

I used to use one just like this, but I found that with such a large thick blade, it would lose it's edge fairly quickly. I tried sharpening to no avail. Now, I use a long thin wooden dowel used for BBQ skewers with a slit in the end and a double sided razor blade in the slit tied with a rubber band. I've been using the same blade for 6 months and still super sharp.

 

[larryjohnny]

I slotted a piece of PVC pipe and stuck a blade in it.

That's genius!

 

[HuneyBear]

NBTOOL Plastic Razor Blade Scraper with 100pcs Double-Edged Blades Long Handle Kitchen & Bathroom Clean Tool for Scraping Sticker,Gasket,Labels,Adhesive,Debris & Caulk from Window,Glass,Stove Top,Wall https://a.co/d/cWMMTpb

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I slotted a piece of PVC pipe and stuck a blade in it.

Cool idea!

 

[chiefifd]

I know this is an older post, but I felt adding my experience with acrylic tanks was worth the read for a few.
I've been using Scraperite scrapers (Plastic Razor Blades) on my acrylic tank now for about 6 months.
They've been great! No scratches, cleans the acrylic very well better than anything I've tried over the 10 years I've had my acrylic tank. There's several types of blades (they come in different colors, different plastic compounds with varying degrees of hardness) that you can try, I've only used the orange blades that came with the scraper. The extra blades are very reasonable.
Not sure why aquarium supply vendors don't carry these in their shops.
I for one would recommend the Scraperite brand for acrylic, it's much cheaper than most other acrylic/glass cleaners IMO. I believe they're available at some of the big box stores too.
https://scraperite.com/

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I slotted a piece of PVC pipe and stuck a blade in it.

That is a really smart idea!