Algae Scraper - Leave it in or take it out?

[uhgster1]

I stopped leaving mine in. It grew enough coraline on it to start making the scraper useless. And neither my tang or foxface cared to pick at it. So now I just take it out rinse it and let it air dry. It also annoyed me when it contributed to clouding the water more than the algae it was scraping off. Btw it is a flipper.

 

[Reefing102]

I just took mine out to clean it (first time in over a year (yes it’s that bad lol)). Used dawn to assist and that soap was greener than green lol

 

[rknapp]

Take it out to avoid crud buildup. It’s sitting attached to a metal shelf right under my tank behind the doors so I don’t have to go far to get it to use it.

 

[BBN Reefer]

I leave mine in. It helps keep me on top of cleaning the glass. Out of sight out of mind vs make it easy so you actually do it.

Edit:
Sorry my response was for a Tunze care magnet. I was just thinking scrapers in general not specificly flippers. A flipper would never make it into the house let alone the tank

I use a Tunze as well. Do you use the plastic or metal blades? I've used the plastic so far, but it doesn't seem to remove all the algae film. However, I'm concerned the metal blade will scratch the glass.

 

[McPuff]

I have a tunze care magnet (metal blade) on one side of the tank and a tigershark/magnavore hybrid on the other. Depending on what needs to be done, I'll choose one over the other. But they both stay in the tank all the time. Easy to find and use that way. They are removed for cleaning once in a while.

Anyone else notice that snails are attracted to the magnets? Nearly every time I go to use it I find a large turbo snail right next to it... or a small one ON it.

 

[Garf]

I have a tunze care magnet (metal blade) on one side of the tank and a tigershark/magnavore hybrid on the other. Depending on what needs to be done, I'll choose one over the other. But they both stay in the tank all the time. Easy to find and use that way. They are removed for cleaning once in a while.

Anyone else notice that snails are attracted to the magnets? Nearly every time I go to use it I find a large turbo snail right next to it... or a small one ON it.

It’s scraping the algae, off your algae scraper

 

[McPuff]

It’s scraping the algae, off your algae scraper

It's best if there is a snail on the snail that sits on the magnet.

 

[Sean Clark]

I use a Tunze as well. Do you use the plastic or metal blades? I've used the plastic so far, but it doesn't seem to remove all the algae film. However, I'm concerned the metal blade will scratch the glass.

I use two of the long plastic blades. I like that better than one long and one short. When I need to get something extra tough I will attach a metal blade and take care of it. I am extra careful with the the metal blade. I remove the metal blade as soon as I am done with it, rinse it off, and oil it before I put it away to prevent corrosion.

 

[X-37B]

3 systems 3 flippers all left in.

 

[gazzaza]

I’m going to start taking mine out. My staghorn damsels like mine so much that they’re laying their eggs on it. My glass was so dirty as I felt too bad to move it.

 

[ShadowMan]

This is a great question and one I've often pondered over... good to see the feedback and various takes on it.

I leave my tunze in whe it's just the plastic scraper, and clean in citric once a month, when I do the reefwave pumps.

If I attach the metal blade, then I take it out. Reason being, and I don't if it does occur, but I wondered about the metal leeching..?!? Any thoughts

 

[Reefing102]

See I’ve always thought about the metal leaching. I leave mine in the tank with the blade out of the water

 

[codenfx]

I also use Tunze. Use to take it out after I'm done but it made me lazy to clean so now I just leave it in for convenience, I put the scraper on the top back corner of the tank so its not really noticeable. My citron clown goby loves to perch on it lol. I clean it every now and then.