Creative Algae Scrapers

CaptainK · 11-05-2001, 01:24 PM

Hi All,
I was cleaning out my car yesterday when I came across an ice scraper. And I thought to myself "HHmmm this could make a good algae scraper to remove the coraline algae on the tank walls"
Anyone have any thoughts about this????
Would it be OK for both glass/acrylic?
Does anyone have any other creative ideas on algae scrapers?

CaptK

Firefish · 11-05-2001, 02:39 PM

If the scraper is metal I don't think it should be used on acrylic.

Biomanjcs72 · 11-05-2001, 03:19 PM

I agree, no metal on acrylic.

When I used to work at the LFS, We had a piece of PVC, that had an angle slit cut into it at one end. We stuck a razor blade in the slit and used it to scrape the coralline off of the salt tanks. Worked quite well.

CaptainK · 11-05-2001, 04:39 PM

I have thought about using a razor blade, But I thought that putting metal in the tank would/could be harmful to the inhabitants?
Am I wrong in thinking this.
I don't remember where I got this thought from but I have stuck to it.

-CaptK

Firefish · 11-06-2001, 07:55 AM

You should be fine aslong as you wash the oil from the new razor before using in your tank. If you can find them, stainless steel razors are great and will resist rust for awhile.

organicreefer · 11-06-2001, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Biomanjcs72
I agree, no metal on acrylic.

When I used to work at the LFS, We had a piece of PVC, that had an angle slit cut into it at one end. We stuck a razor blade in the slit and used it to scrape the coralline off of the salt tanks. Worked quite well.

ive done the same thing! xcept on the other end of the pvc i connected a hose,rigged up a sponge filter on the end of that, sit it in the sump,and when i scrape algea i syphon it at the same time,the water is syphoned into the sump,and all the algea is trapped in the filter

saltjunkie · 11-07-2001, 04:03 AM

Here, I give this hint once and only once so pay attention. With all the money you will save from it, just send the extra proceeds to me!
this is effective on glass and acrylic!
CREDIT CARDS
Rick

popcorn · 11-09-2001, 10:29 PM

Credit cards are the answer! I put an old Visa to work for a long time that way. We have a long handled Kent stainless scraper now, but the plastic can do double duty in this hobby!

tomt · 11-10-2001, 09:40 PM

Saltjunkies' got the jackpot!!! I use my old health credit card and works like a dream!!! My hand gets tired... need to make more money and hire someone to do this cleaning stuff....right
Anyway the card works the best. Tom

organicreefer · 11-10-2001, 09:50 PM

how about just a really good magnet,not very creative,but by far the most convenient

im gonna order a magnavore for my new oceanic,i hate sticking my hand in the water to clean the glass.might be a little pricey,but i know ill be happy in the long run..

CaptainK · 11-11-2001, 12:21 PM

Hi All,
I was at Walmart yesterday and I picked up a .97 cent hamburger spatula that has a straight edged surface. I figured I could try this, I didn't have much too lose by spending .97 cents.
Althought I think my fish got a little nervous because they thought they were about to become a Filet-O-Fish :-)
Well I tried it this morning and well..... it works like a .97 cent spatula.
It does do a decent job though. It was pretty good at getting at those spots that have pieces of rock very close to the sides of the aquarium.
On a scale of 1-10 I would say it is about a 6.

-CaptK

11-05-2001, 01:24 PM	#1
CaptainK Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: MA. Posts: 534	Creative Algae Scrapers Hi All, I was cleaning out my car yesterday when I came across an ice scraper. And I thought to myself "HHmmm this could make a good algae scraper to remove the coraline algae on the tank walls" Anyone have any thoughts about this???? Would it be OK for both glass/acrylic? Does anyone have any other creative ideas on algae scrapers? CaptK

11-05-2001, 02:39 PM	#2
Firefish Mayor Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Douglas, Ma Posts: 775	If the scraper is metal I don't think it should be used on acrylic. __________________ In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current. -- Thomas Jefferson

11-06-2001, 07:55 AM	#5
Firefish Mayor Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Douglas, Ma Posts: 775	You should be fine aslong as you wash the oil from the new razor before using in your tank. If you can find them, stainless steel razors are great and will resist rust for awhile. __________________ In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current. -- Thomas Jefferson

11-07-2001, 04:03 AM	#7
saltjunkie Governor Join Date: May 2000 Location: Lakeland, Fl. Posts: 1,781	Here, I give this hint once and only once so pay attention. With all the money you will save from it, just send the extra proceeds to me! this is effective on glass and acrylic! CREDIT CARDS Rick __________________ I am not a failure! I have just found 10,000 ways to do it wrong! rlowride@hotmail.com http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg

11-09-2001, 10:29 PM	#8
popcorn Citizen Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Lenexa, KS USA Posts: 191	Beat me to it!! Credit cards are the answer! I put an old Visa to work for a long time that way. We have a long handled Kent stainless scraper now, but the plastic can do double duty in this hobby!

11-05-2001, 03:19 PM	#3
Biomanjcs72 Mayor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Birmingham, Al, USA Posts: 815	I agree, no metal on acrylic. When I used to work at the LFS, We had a piece of PVC, that had an angle slit cut into it at one end. We stuck a razor blade in the slit and used it to scrape the coralline off of the salt tanks. Worked quite well.

11-05-2001, 04:39 PM	#4
CaptainK Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: MA. Posts: 534	I have thought about using a razor blade, But I thought that putting metal in the tank would/could be harmful to the inhabitants? Am I wrong in thinking this. I don't remember where I got this thought from but I have stuck to it. -CaptK

11-10-2001, 09:40 PM	#9
tomt Tenant Join Date: May 2001 Location: scottsdale az Posts: 83	Saltjunkies' got the jackpot!!! I use my old health credit card and works like a dream!!! My hand gets tired... need to make more money and hire someone to do this cleaning stuff....right Anyway the card works the best. Tom

11-10-2001, 09:50 PM	#10
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	how about just a really good magnet,not very creative,but by far the most convenient im gonna order a magnavore for my new oceanic,i hate sticking my hand in the water to clean the glass.might be a little pricey,but i know ill be happy in the long run..

11-11-2001, 12:21 PM	#11
CaptainK Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: MA. Posts: 534	Hi All, I was at Walmart yesterday and I picked up a .97 cent hamburger spatula that has a straight edged surface. I figured I could try this, I didn't have much too lose by spending .97 cents. Althought I think my fish got a little nervous because they thought they were about to become a Filet-O-Fish :-) Well I tried it this morning and well..... it works like a .97 cent spatula. It does do a decent job though. It was pretty good at getting at those spots that have pieces of rock very close to the sides of the aquarium. On a scale of 1-10 I would say it is about a 6. -CaptK

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