[Addio]

Hi fellow reefers,

I've gotten back into the hobby after a 12 year hiatus and am really enjoying my 28gal nano cube. All of my specimens are doing very well (softies and a few stonies) and water quality has been excellent. I have very aggressive coraline algae growth which is great. The only challenge is that it is growing on the front glass. What is the best way to clean the glass? Scrubbing won't cut it and I've considered using a razor blade but am hesitant to do so. Any suggestions? I will be posting pix shortly and you will be able to see how aggressive the coraline growth is.

Thanks,

Addio

[Tonz of fun]

Dont use a razor blade, you will scratch glass with it. They do sale scrappers at any lfs for like 10 bucks, they have them for glass and acrylic. Its the only way to get it off.

[spanko]

Yup, hard rubber blade scrapper or even an old credit card should do the trick.

[jimw369]

If you live in the north I have found one of those ice scrapers for your car windshield works good. Ive modified mine so its small and gets around the corners better.

[Tonz of fun]

Dont use metal if you have a acrylic tank.

[pogodzib]

Since you are referring to glass and not acrylic, there are many options open to you. I use either a razor blade or metal blade scraper on mine. Yes, you can use a razor blade without scratching the glass. Just don't let the blade angle get to steep.

[e_baer]

I also use a razor blade. I have tried those cheap plastic scrapers and they never seem to work. As Brian said, just dont let the blade angle get too steep and you should be fine.

[Dr. Clyde]

Razor blade is the only thing that works for me. Unless you want to scrub all day.

[jimw369]

I thought we were talking acrylic.


If glass yeah...razorblades all the way!

[Adam J]

I use this and I dont even have to get wet!Kent Marine Proscraper Metal L, 24 Inches, Long Handle > Algae Scrapers/Pads > Maintenance > Saltwater Aquarium Supplies

[Tonz of fun]

I use what adam uses, A razor blade can scratch glass...

[Dr. Clyde]

In the wrong hands it can.

[e_baer]

Originally Posted by adam jenkins

I use this and I dont even have to get wet!Kent Marine Proscraper Metal L, 24 Inches, Long Handle > Algae Scrapers/Pads > Maintenance > Saltwater Aquarium Supplies

Does it take a million tried to get the algae off?

[REEFMASTER]

Originally Posted by Addio

Hi fellow reefers,

I've gotten back into the hobby after a 12 year hiatus and am really enjoying my 28gal nano cube. All of my specimens are doing very well (softies and a few stonies) and water quality has been excellent. I have very aggressive coraline algae growth which is great. The only challenge is that it is growing on the front glass. What is the best way to clean the glass? Scrubbing won't cut it and I've considered using a razor blade but am hesitant to do so. Any suggestions? I will be posting pix shortly and you will be able to see how aggressive the coraline growth is.

Thanks,

Addio

Let's talk about aggressive Coraline Algea Growth!
I have a acrylic tank and it's 24" tall w/ a canopy that adds another 4". I need a ladder to reach the bottom of the tank(not very successfully I might add) and I used the kent acrylic scrapper I had to buy the one that is used for glass just to get the stuff off! I will only get 2 uses out of it. but I can now see the bottom dwellers

[ljv]

I've always used the Kent Marine Scrapers that Adam recommeded for glass tanks (with the metal blades). They work great if you don't let the algae grow too thick. If it gets too thick you bend the corners of the scraper and it doesn't work as well. I used two: a short handled for really digging in hard and a longer handled one. When I wear out or bend the blade on the longer one, I move it to the shorter (for brute force removal).

As with any maintenance task. The longer you put it off, the worse it is.

[sohal tang]

The absolute bar none best item for cleaning glass
is a mag float with an added attachment that you purchase
that glues onto the mag float and has a razor type of blade in it....YOu never have to put your hands in the tank and it cleans coraline amazingly easy....

Like any cleaner NEVER get a piece of gravel stuck in it or you will scratch the glass

GO Slow or you could scratch the glass being careless....

Watch you dont cut the silicone away in the corners go slowwwww..

always slide the blade slowing forward and backward never slide it up and down on the glass.....

If you go slow with it it will still clean your glass faster then anything and with less effort! Amazing hobby item...best I have
seen bar none!

If you need to know where to get it PM me and let
me know where you are located...

Tim

[Rainman69]

I use an 8 inch drywall knife on the front and a 4 inch for the sides. Works well and covers a big area at once.

[LReefer]

Good idea with the drywall knife. I'll be giving that a try.

[ljv]

Make sure it has a stainless blade or you'll have a rusty drywall knife within 24 hours.

[jiggyfly]

I like a mag float wrapped in Dobie. its a cleaning sponge they carry at walmart that has a rough outter skin around a yellow sponge. make one cut on the top , pull sponge out the mag scraper in and you will be amazed at how easy and well it cleans

[ILoveMyTank]

I want everyone who scapes there coraline there scapings into a zip lock bag with a little water and mail it to me. I'm trying to seed a large tank thats been up for about a year and isn't producing coraline well. I'll pay for the shippings and a little for the time ! email me if you are interested.
brianblack@adelphia.net

[e_baer]

If you make sure you ca levels are up you shouldnt have a problem with the stuff not growing. Three sides of my tank are COMPLETELY covered on pink coralline. And every few days I have t clean the front so it doesnt get covered. I have not checked my ca levels for a while, but last time I checked they were at 400.