Magic eraser

[kevensquint]

Hi Randy, do you know if the white pads "Magic Eraser" are reef safe? I'm considering trying to clean acrylic with one inside the tank. But I have no idea what they are made of or if they contain chemicals. Thanks

 

[ermartin]

There area few models but i have been using the classic one for years on my GLASS aquariums. not sure if they would scratch acrylic. That said I have had no negative effects

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

They do contain a small amount of formaldehyde, FWIW.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Great topic I have been wondering the same thing..

 

[ermartin]

They do contain a small amount of formaldehyde, FWIW.

Curious where you go that info. I have never researched beyond the listed label did someone do some testing or is there a FACT sheet out there. again Just curious thanks

 

[DannyB]

I have found the originals to be mildly abrasive, so possibly would scratch if you rubbed hard enough. I would be concerned with particles of it breaking off and possibly being eaten by fish or corals.

 

[reefwiser]

They are fine just use the simple one don't use any of the scented or soap included one.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...kes-cleaning-glass-easy-inside-and-out.88267/

 

[ermartin]

They are fine just use the simple one don't use any of the scented or soap included one.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...kes-cleaning-glass-easy-inside-and-out.88267/

Yup seen this before looks like lots of happy folks using on both glass and acrylic... the acrylic scared me a bit but i only have glass

 

[ermartin]

I will also say they are so CHEAP that i never over use them i use them a few times and toss them before they have the opportunity to break up

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Curious where you go that info. I have never researched beyond the listed label did someone do some testing or is there a FACT sheet out there. again Just curious thanks

I actually researched, but I can't recall where I saw it. I think it was on the MSDS, but I could be wrong.

 

[kevensquint]

If it's non toxic, I would do a discrete test spot. Just checking if it is at least non-toxic. Kinda curious what the heck it's made of too actually.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

It's made from a formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer. So formaldehyde is used to make the polymer, but, as a chemical engineer, I can tell you it's almost impossible to definitively say there is no residual formaldehyde in the final polymer product. Also, it is not clearly defined under which conditions the polymer is degraded to produce formaldehyde, but it's probably safe to say those conditions are not typical of everyday household or aquarium use.

There very few requirements for manufacturers to list the ingredients in cleaning products (unlike food and drugs).

 

[kevensquint]

Yes I suppose they don't expect us to eat them . Are traces of formaldehyde toxic? It sounds bad, but I know people can dump H2O2 in their tanks and other iffy chemicals without harm.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I don't know that it's too much to be concerned about. Formaldehyde is highly reactive and is unlikely to exist very long in most environments unless there is a stabilizing agent (like methanol) present.

FWIW, peroxide just decomposes into water and oxygen, and it's the oxygen that is the part that makes hydrogen peroxide effective in many applications...hard to claim that oxygen is toxic

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Also, the manufacturer probably wouldn't expect a person to ingest the material, but I'd bet the manufacturer never imagined the product being used in aquariums where tank inhabitants could mistakenly ingest small particles.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

As the stuff breaks down it will feed plastic particulates to the tank. So it's best not to use it with filter feeders, and I would bet getting the stuff stuck in fish gills wouldn't be very hard either.

Best to use things intended for the aquarium.

 

[Sabellafella]

Ive used it fine without issues but recently i was scrubbing down the bottom half of my IM gormet defroster and it turned the material cloudy (im pretty sure its acrylic plus i was litterally scrubbing it to the point it was bound to get all scratched up). Ive ben using the magic eraser for years on glass and acrylic, its fricken awesome but never inside a tank before

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree that tiny bits of plastics may not be ideal. People are now thinking that facial scrubs and such need to be banned for this reason: the particles get into waterways and may last a long time. In this case, the bits may clog intakes of sponges, for example.

That said, I do not know what specific effects there might be from the melamine-formaldehyde-sodium bisulfite foam in a reef tank that may not be apparent to ordinary users.

 

[rossco]

I've been using them for at least 6 years. No problems that I know of. As far as filter feeders, I have had my clam for 8 years now, 2nd tank. I also have had my purple tang that long. I have had some of the same SPS colonies that long as well. Not scientific, but there it is.

 

[Keith_0011]

I have also had nothing but good experiences with magic eraser. Glass or acrylic, it is good on both. That said as soon as I notice any wear on it I throw it away, I have seen fish play with the tiny bits and as mentioned above could easily clog a pump intake.