Algae scraper for rear of tank

sse1990 · Jun 3, 2020

What do you use to clean algae at the rear of your tank?

Because I have my tank mounted inside the wall, my lid opens at the rear and the display side of my tank is the rear when in the storage room to perform maintenance. The tank is a 90 gal, 24” deep. I need to be able to get to the “rear” of the tank to clean the display side. Magnetic scrapers will be a pain since it will take 2 people to get it mounted and if it falls away from the magnet, a second person will be required to set it back up.

Angelwolf21203 · Jun 3, 2020

I have the same tank!

I leave the back glass completely alone. This insures my snails and urchins don't run out of food.

Mastiffsrule · Jun 3, 2020

Hi,

I lost you a little on the angles needed. I use a long handle kent algae scraper for hard to reach places

sse1990 · Jun 3, 2020

Mastiffsrule said:
Hi,

I lost you a little on the angles needed. I use a long handle kent algae scraper for hard to reach places

The display side “front glass” is only accessible from the room on the other side of the wall. So my glass lids are installed reverse so they open in the other room. It would be the same as most people trying to clean the rear glass. That Kent long handle scraper is probably what I need. I’ve seen a few various kinds. Kent, Aquablade, etc...

sse1990 · Jun 3, 2020

Angelwolf21203 said:
I have the same tank! I leave the back glass completely alone. This insures my snails and urchins don't run out of food.

The back glass is not going to be cleaned, but my display side is not accessible from the same room.

Sleeping Giant · Jun 3, 2020

Use mag-float, various sizes, float, and will be drawn to the magnet no matter where it's floating on the surface, 1 person job.

VAFish · Jun 3, 2020

Mag-float will work great.

Nick Steele · Jun 3, 2020

Why clean back glass? I’m letting mine grow. During my ugly phase I had 5” GHA growing off the back but my trochus snails and hermits took care of it and now I just have some sight dusting on the back. My trochus snails migrate to the back wall a few nights a week and it doesn’t get out of hand.

Sleeping Giant · Jun 3, 2020

Nick Steele said:
Why clean back glass? I’m letting mine grow. During my ugly phase I had 5” GHA growing off the back but my trochus snails and hermits took care of it and now I just have some sight dusting on the back. My trochus snails migrate to the back wall a few nights a week and it doesn’t get out of hand.

His back glass is his front of the display

Nick Steele · Jun 3, 2020

Sleeping Giant said:
His back glass is his front of the display

Oh totally misunderstood. Yeah I’d go with a mag float/ the Kent scraper tool then.

Sorry it’s late lol

sse1990 · Jun 3, 2020

Sleeping Giant said:
His back glass is his front of the display

Exactly. For Me to reach the front display glass, I have to go into another room and access it from the back.

Angelwolf21203 · Jun 4, 2020

sse1990 said:
The back glass is not going to be cleaned, but my display side is not accessible from the same room.

What about a mag-float? They have scraper attachments too.

Angelwolf21203 · Jun 4, 2020

sse1990 said:
The back glass is not going to be cleaned, but my display side is not accessible from the same room.

What about a mag-float? They have scraper attachments too.

Waters · Jun 4, 2020

I clean all 4 sides with magic erasers and/or the long handled scrapers.

CK00020 · Jun 4, 2020

Have you tried the new magic eraser sheets, they are tougher than the old erasers they work great

Waters · Jun 4, 2020

CK00020 said:
Have you tried the new magic eraser sheets, they are tougher than the old erasers they work great

I have.....I use them in between my Flipper magnet since mine has caused scratches in my glass in the past. I don't use magnets often, but when I do, those sheets work great.

ReefGrammie · Jun 4, 2020

I also have a 90 and my algae scraper is a pincushion urchin! When I first got the urchin, my back glass was 100% coraline. I'd say it was completely gone within a week. I wish I had taken pictures along the way...it was amazing! He also keeps my MP40 clean and the corner overflow. As soon as the coraline starts growing on the back wall, he's after it again.