Removing algae overgrowth is often more difficult than preventing algae in the first place. However, once it's there the sooner you deal with it, the better you'll be. Concerned about how much cleaning tools cost these days? Never fear, there are less expensive alternatives. These commonly available items make great aquarium algae removal tools and will help you get the job done without removing all the cash from your wallet.
1. Car Window Scraper
Rolfo Rolf Brenner
Car window scrapers are readily available in the winter time, particularly in the northern climates. However, I've seen them for sale year round in the auto sections of department stores, as well as in hardware stores. Watch for sales and you should be able to find a scraper for two dollars or less. Find the short handled ones, for ease of use within the confines of the aquarium. Sometimes business will offer free scrapers with their company logo as a promotional item. Before using the scraper I highly recommend soaking in a 10% bleach solution for five to ten minutes, then rinse well and allow it to air dry. That will eliminate any residual materials on it that might be hazardous in your aquarium.
2. Plastic Cards
Walker and Walker
Who hasn't gone out to a car covered in ice and snow, and upon discovering there was no scraper, pulled out a credit card to scrape their windshield? Worked pretty well, didn't it? Credit cards are just as good at scraping algae off aquarium glass, and cost absolutely nothing. So save those expired credit cards, used gift cards, and any other plastic card you come across. It doesn't matter what size they are, as you can cut them into smaller sizes or specific shapes to reach tight corners and other hard to reach places. I've seen some creative aquarium owners cut old credit cards into a variety of shapes and sizes, then punch a hole in each one and string them on a fish line or key ring that is kept hanging on a hook. That way they have a "stringer" of custom scrapers that are always easy to find.
3. Paint Scraper
C Squared Studios
Paint scrapers can be found at any hardware and most department stores. Although they are designed to scrape paint, they will scrape algae off glass aquariums quite nicely. Putty knives are similarly useful for scraping algae. Keep in mind that metal scrapers or razors should never be used on acrylic tanks, as they can scratch the surface. However, there are plastic scrapers and razors available, often for mere pennies per blade. Watch for sales and stock up - they keep forever.
4. Toothbrush
Henry Horenstein
Don't throw away your old toothbrushes, as they make excellent algae cleaning brushes. Soak them in a 10% bleach solution for ten minutes, then soak in clear water and allow to air dry before using. Or if the thought of putting a used toothbrush into your tank bothers you, go out and buy an inexpensive new toothbrush. Look for the least expensive one you can find, as special features don't make any difference when it comes to cleaning the aquarium. Soak new toothbrushes in a bleach solution as well, to ensure there are no lingering production chemicals that might prove harmful in the aquarium.
Toothbrushes can be used to clean algae on the glass as well as to scrub rocks, artificial plants and other decorations. Tight areas, such as tank corners, hood or lid corners, or the area between the filter intake and the glass are much easier to reach with a toothbrush. Likewise, crevices in rocks and other tank decorations that you remove from the tank are easy to scrub with a toothbrush. Toothbrushes can even be used to clean inside of a filter or other aquarium equipment. The bristles can be cut down to smaller sizes or a special shape to fit into small spaces.
Toothbrushes can be used to clean algae on the glass as well as to scrub rocks, artificial plants and other decorations. Tight areas, such as tank corners, hood or lid corners, or the area between the filter intake and the glass are much easier to reach with a toothbrush. Likewise, crevices in rocks and other tank decorations that you remove from the tank are easy to scrub with a toothbrush. Toothbrushes can even be used to clean inside of a filter or other aquarium equipment. The bristles can be cut down to smaller sizes or a special shape to fit into small spaces.
5. Toothpicks and Wooden Sticks
Jeffrey Hamilton
Even lowly toothpicks can be used in the algae battle. If you have hair algae, just stick a toothpick into it, twirl it around and pull. Easy to do, and amazing how much hair algae can be removed with a simple twist of a toothpick. Ever make kabobs using thin wooden skewers? Those skewers are great for removing hair algae.
Just about everyone has Popsickles and other frozen goodies on a stick. Those wooden sticks, split down the middle to make them a bit thinner and rougher (to better grab the algae), are also great algae removal tools. Maybe you still have some wooden parts from your kids Pick-up Sticks game, or some chopsticks you got with your Chinese dinner. All of your used or leftover wooden sticks are fair game as algae removal tools. Just soak them in 10% bleach, rinse will in clear water, and allow to dry. Once they are well dried, toss them in a sandwich bag and you have a ready supply of disposable algae removal sticks.
Just about everyone has Popsickles and other frozen goodies on a stick. Those wooden sticks, split down the middle to make them a bit thinner and rougher (to better grab the algae), are also great algae removal tools. Maybe you still have some wooden parts from your kids Pick-up Sticks game, or some chopsticks you got with your Chinese dinner. All of your used or leftover wooden sticks are fair game as algae removal tools. Just soak them in 10% bleach, rinse will in clear water, and allow to dry. Once they are well dried, toss them in a sandwich bag and you have a ready supply of disposable algae removal sticks.
