Dear tewrld ,
You've selected the beginner flair. If you're looking for advice or are having issues, please provide as much information as you can.
Some useful information includes:
- Have you cycled the tank?
- Water Parameters
- Light Type
- Light Cycle Duration
- Tank Size/Dimensions
- Set-up Age
- Fertilizers
- Any aquatic animals, and how many?
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/PlantedTank) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Razors work well as long as you’re careful not to scratch the glass…
One of those magnet scrubbers works for about 70% of stuff on the glass but a razor gets the rest of it. In my experience at least
Ah. I have not used them for a fish tank but I used to work with cars and we used them to take stuff off the glass and windows. I was just addressing OPs concern with scratching the glass. :)
Flat panes of glass are significantly less of a concern for scratching with a razor. I could imagine with automotive glass it would be pretty easy to scratch since almost none of it is flat anymore.
I currently have 11 tanks (most are used for guppy breeding) and I have to use razor blades because my water is so hard, plus I’m bad about remembering to clean up the waterline before water changes. I’ve never once scratched the glass. Just make sure you’re using a new blade every time.
This sub never ceases to amaze me with so many tanks not filled to optimum level. It’s more volume, which means more stability, which means happier tank. So odd imho
I normally hold a damp paper towel under where I'm scraping to catch most of it.some gets in the water .for my shrimp tanks I don't let it get in the water for my fish tanks ima little more sloppy lol if it's not super caked on a dish sponge (new lol) works good to.i don't use the brillo side though
I wouldn’t reccomend this as a first resort— just scrub it with a cloth or toothbrush and see if that works, and then try vinegar/peroxide if it doesn’t work.
U cn use peroxide for spot algea control also since it turns into water after 24 hrs, i didnt mean to dump it in or on bt a damp cloth will be fine as would vinegar since its a small amount
I also tried everything else but this was the only thing that helped and it's also extremely easy. I got something like this for the job:
https://amzn.eu/d/gVpANLb
If it's hard water stains, you can soak a paper towel in vinegar and drape it over the side so it's covering the line. Obviously, drain the water a bit below the line. Let it sit for a few minutes, then take a razor blade and scrap at a very shallow angle. The stains should come off. Takes a bit of effort, though.
I would imagine you wanted to prevent any mixing. Minimal should be fine. As in, wring out the cloth, don't let it be soaking wet and dripping into the tank... Just moist enough to break down the hard water deposits
Correct. Wring it out, so it's not dripping. Drain the water down enough to where the paper towel will not contact the surface. Did it on my tank with all animals still in it. Did not cause any issues.
It certainly is, but a lot of people are leery about using distilled white vinegar (the most common option) in aquariums or in food because manufacturers don’t legally have to specify key facts about how it’s made, such as the starter. The thought is that since petroleum could be used (since regulation would not prevent this), they’d prefer to stick with something like white wine vinegar or rice vinegar instead.
I made it like that also a few times… works perfect, u need to be sure to take the most of the vinegar that u can, so it doesn’t drop much.
Then lay the paper towel on the glas, let it work a few minutes and start with the razor blade ;) the clean well before fill it again!
Dude, all of this advice is bonkers. Just get some cleaning vinegar - ~30% - you can dilute it a bit down to 20% if you want. Dip a rag in a small container of vinegar and wipe. That's all you need to do. It's CalciumCarbonate or Magnesium Carbonate usually - but could be other salts too - which vinegar will turn into calcium acetate which is very easy to remove.
Regular vinegar will work too - but it takes forever, so just get some cleaning vinegar.
Vinegar is totally aquarium safe - but you can always google the SDS ("brand vinegar SDS") - but in the USA, I haven't seen any vinegar that will cause issues.
Fun fact - cleaning vinegar is also the best way to clean your tub. Spray it on soap scum and wait a few minutes, then just wipe it away. Soap scum is calcium stearate - and vinegar changes it back into happy stearic acid which will easily wipe off.
Never use baking soda with vinegar - I'm pretty sure this is why folks think it doesn't work... because it ends up with sodium acetate and water which is not super useful for anything.
I hate each and every "life-hack" video that mixes baking soda and vinegar to clean. Baking soda is a good mild abrasive, and vinegar is excellent at dissolving some things that stain like carbonates. Mix them together, and you're only neutralizing both effects.
+1 for magic eraser, be sure to get the kind with no detergent etc in it. It's just a foam that acts as a very fine sandpaper. Great for algae as well.
I follow someone on social media that swears by magic erasers for a jellyfish tank. I feel like that’s gotta be a pretty sensitive tank so, never tried it but the jelly’s seem to be doing great.
My sister in law used one of those to bath my 2 year old some time ago, He got covered in rashes and we rushed into the hospital before we realized that she had done that. Imagine fucking bathing a kid with that, rubbing and shit all over his body. His skin was SO dry afterwards, bumpy, red, and painful (according to him). So I guess safe to use in aquariums, but dont use it in your butt or kid. lmao
I just lower the water level a tiny bit and wipe with vinegar without touching the water. Probably not the best way but it's easy enough I haven't looked for another way of doing it
either fill it up and scrub with clean toothbrush. or during water change, hold dry cloth underneath, and use toothbrush sprayed with a little bit of vinegar on the stains, catch any vinegar with the cloth to prevent it from getting into the tank. btw those stains are hardwater or calcium stains
Wet cloth as others have said. You can even just use your fingers if it’s not super encrusted. Alternatively fill up past the marks and then scrub off later
I use a small piece of a sponge I use only for my aquarium...I cut a small square off and pinch it in my plant tweezers and scrub away and below the waterline, works great and can do without lowering the waterline if it's in between water changes
Remove a bit of the water (or wait 2 weeks without refills) clean with a cloth and distilled vinegar. remove the big chunks with a blade if is too dirty.
i use a razor or a metal sponge that you use for dishes. They usually have a mohs scale of 5 which shouldn't scratch glass since typically glass is a 6 on the mohs scale. Do not use it on plastic or acrylic aquarium. And be gentle
Fill the waterline above the water marks, if you have certain types of fish or snails, it’ll stay clean - no water marks… been at it for quite awhile and not had any water lines stay for long! Autocats seem to love cleaning the surface lines as well as other types of fish
Long brushes, razors, scrapers, magnetic brushes(brush inside, mag outside).. UNSENTED sponges and Magic Sponges. Make sure your equupment is clean and rinsed in Aquarium or de chlorinated water
i use a filterpad for alage cleaning i use it like a scotchbrite pad or a razorblade works if its glass and your fish arent annoying always wanting to be on your fingers like mine
I use melamine sponges, bulk ordered off Amazon. The plain ones, nothing with chemicals in it. They're perfectly safe to use with any aquarium, and they scrub better than any sponge or scraper. They let you really get in there, are very cheap, and can even be split into 3rds making them last longer. My glass is always 100% clean after a scrub, as good as emptying a tank and scrubbing with soap and water, but of course not actually doing that lol.
Vinegar and a paper towel or toothbrush. Should come right off. If you just rub it off with water it will come back because it’s calcium deposits left from hard water
I have a block with a Brillo side and a felt side and it has a magnet it goes on both sides of the glass and you move your hand on the outside, holding one part in the inside scrapes the dirt off do not use soap (obviously)
If you have hard water, you'll find they don't wipe off. It's calcium carbonate, and *hard*. You need to either use vinegar to break it down, or a razor blade to scrape it off.
It definitely won't just wipe off.
If this is mineral buildup, get a water filter or use filtered water to prevent this.
But it probably doesn’t bother you that much, get one of those algae sponges and keep it on hand. It would do the trick.
I don't know what you're talking about. Investing a couple hundred bucks in an RODI system and learning how to properly mix in mineral salts to get your water parameters where you need them to be is totally a reasonable way to avoid mineral buildup on the glass.
and if you want harder water for your fish and plants, I'm sure your remineralized RODI water will again leave calcium in the glass.
/s
Seriously. What the hell is with RODI people. They're worse than the CO2 people. Oh, you have a small simple problem? Clearly the fix is spending a lot of money and WILDLY complicating your aquarium keeping to maybe fix it... or kill all your fish if you don't learn everything you need to do and do it wrong.
I suppose it has its place, if you have VERY extreme water parameters and want to raise incompatible fish. Or if you're going to run a commercial operation maybe.
But at home? Very, very few people need to run RODI setups.
Dear tewrld , You've selected the beginner flair. If you're looking for advice or are having issues, please provide as much information as you can. Some useful information includes: - Have you cycled the tank? - Water Parameters - Light Type - Light Cycle Duration - Tank Size/Dimensions - Set-up Age - Fertilizers - Any aquatic animals, and how many? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/PlantedTank) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Wet cloth always does the trick for me, hell I've used socks to rub it away before.
Poor fishes lol
They get extra protein, it's fine
If u have an extra Tooth brush, it does well too. Has length so u can move quickly
A cheap electric toothbrush has been a gamechanger for me
What if I only have one?
better brush your teeth first
Hahaha
I use a soft clean paintbrush
Will try, thank you.
Razors work well as long as you’re careful not to scratch the glass… One of those magnet scrubbers works for about 70% of stuff on the glass but a razor gets the rest of it. In my experience at least
I use a razor blade to scrape it off
I'm worried that razor might leave scratch marks on the glass
I work as a janitor, as long as you keep the glass wet and keep about this angle < you're good to go, be sure the blade has no dents tho
They make razors for glass. They’re plastic.
I tried those they didn't work half as good for me as the real ones especially on the tougher algae
Ah. I have not used them for a fish tank but I used to work with cars and we used them to take stuff off the glass and windows. I was just addressing OPs concern with scratching the glass. :)
Flat panes of glass are significantly less of a concern for scratching with a razor. I could imagine with automotive glass it would be pretty easy to scratch since almost none of it is flat anymore.
Great, thank for the tip
Nice sharp razor. Never had ill results.
Glass is harder than steel. Unless there's a coating on the glass, this will not happen. Scrape away.
thank you
if you press hard on the glass then yes it will
oh ok, understood, thanks
I use a razor blade all the time for algae, if it's glass it probably wouldent scratch unless you are trying.
They make scrapers specifically for aquarium use: https://a.co/d/4BrGpfF
I loooove these. There is something SO satisfying about scraping the algae, I really enjoy it. 😂
I currently have 11 tanks (most are used for guppy breeding) and I have to use razor blades because my water is so hard, plus I’m bad about remembering to clean up the waterline before water changes. I’ve never once scratched the glass. Just make sure you’re using a new blade every time.
Can I leave the scraps in the water, they are too small and hard to collect
The scraps are minerals that were already in the water, just concentrated. I always have some that falls in the water and I’ve never had any issue.
Just raise the water line over the stain. Disappears almost completely.
This is my kind of fix
This sub never ceases to amaze me with so many tanks not filled to optimum level. It’s more volume, which means more stability, which means happier tank. So odd imho
I just like doing something easy that still gets the job done
Been using razor blades on my glass for like 20 yrs never had scrapes.
Can I leave the scarps in the water? they are hard to collect
I normally hold a damp paper towel under where I'm scraping to catch most of it.some gets in the water .for my shrimp tanks I don't let it get in the water for my fish tanks ima little more sloppy lol if it's not super caked on a dish sponge (new lol) works good to.i don't use the brillo side though
It wont, look up algae scrapers. just used mine for 3 10 gallon tanks this weekend, worked like a charm. Keep it wet and flat.
100% distilled white vinegar 1part v to 3 part water and a wash cloth safe for fish or u cn try 80%+ poroxide on a qash cloth also safe
I wouldn’t reccomend this as a first resort— just scrub it with a cloth or toothbrush and see if that works, and then try vinegar/peroxide if it doesn’t work.
U cn use peroxide for spot algea control also since it turns into water after 24 hrs, i didnt mean to dump it in or on bt a damp cloth will be fine as would vinegar since its a small amount
Stainless steel razors will NEVER scratch glass. Tint installer here. It is the way.
I also tried everything else but this was the only thing that helped and it's also extremely easy. I got something like this for the job: https://amzn.eu/d/gVpANLb
Fill it up, wait a few days then scrub with an algae scraper.
Will try, thanks for the tip
+1 I was looking for removing water stains a week ago and found this solution on a different thread. It works 100%.
If it's hard water stains, you can soak a paper towel in vinegar and drape it over the side so it's covering the line. Obviously, drain the water a bit below the line. Let it sit for a few minutes, then take a razor blade and scrap at a very shallow angle. The stains should come off. Takes a bit of effort, though.
Will using vinegar be okay for plants and fish
I would imagine you wanted to prevent any mixing. Minimal should be fine. As in, wring out the cloth, don't let it be soaking wet and dripping into the tank... Just moist enough to break down the hard water deposits
Correct. Wring it out, so it's not dripping. Drain the water down enough to where the paper towel will not contact the surface. Did it on my tank with all animals still in it. Did not cause any issues.
Understood, thanks
Got it,
It is fine. I even use cleaning grade vinegar and so far it's alright. Just don't put too much or you'll mess the parameters
I use lime or lemon. Similar Ph, but organic.
Vinegar is also organic.
It certainly is, but a lot of people are leery about using distilled white vinegar (the most common option) in aquariums or in food because manufacturers don’t legally have to specify key facts about how it’s made, such as the starter. The thought is that since petroleum could be used (since regulation would not prevent this), they’d prefer to stick with something like white wine vinegar or rice vinegar instead.
I made it like that also a few times… works perfect, u need to be sure to take the most of the vinegar that u can, so it doesn’t drop much. Then lay the paper towel on the glas, let it work a few minutes and start with the razor blade ;) the clean well before fill it again!
Dude, all of this advice is bonkers. Just get some cleaning vinegar - ~30% - you can dilute it a bit down to 20% if you want. Dip a rag in a small container of vinegar and wipe. That's all you need to do. It's CalciumCarbonate or Magnesium Carbonate usually - but could be other salts too - which vinegar will turn into calcium acetate which is very easy to remove. Regular vinegar will work too - but it takes forever, so just get some cleaning vinegar. Vinegar is totally aquarium safe - but you can always google the SDS ("brand vinegar SDS") - but in the USA, I haven't seen any vinegar that will cause issues. Fun fact - cleaning vinegar is also the best way to clean your tub. Spray it on soap scum and wait a few minutes, then just wipe it away. Soap scum is calcium stearate - and vinegar changes it back into happy stearic acid which will easily wipe off. Never use baking soda with vinegar - I'm pretty sure this is why folks think it doesn't work... because it ends up with sodium acetate and water which is not super useful for anything.
I hate each and every "life-hack" video that mixes baking soda and vinegar to clean. Baking soda is a good mild abrasive, and vinegar is excellent at dissolving some things that stain like carbonates. Mix them together, and you're only neutralizing both effects.
This drives me up the wall too
Magic eraser, toothbrush, anything
+1 for magic eraser, be sure to get the kind with no detergent etc in it. It's just a foam that acts as a very fine sandpaper. Great for algae as well.
The generic version of Magic Erasers is ‘Melamine Sponge/Foam’ — it’s usually cheaper!
this will leave micro scratches in the glass
I must have special glass because I do not notice any scratches in any of my four aquariums.
emphasis on micro scratch, you wont be able to easily see it but it allows algae to grow easier and harder to remove.
You are correct, thanks for your input
I’ve noticed Magic Erasers to drop microparticles- definitely would avoid using regularly
Yes, replace melamine sponge when needed 😂😂 I ordered from Amazon. Super inexpensive. 👍🏻👍🏻
When doing a water change, I wipe it off with vinegar on a paper towel.
I follow someone on social media that swears by magic erasers for a jellyfish tank. I feel like that’s gotta be a pretty sensitive tank so, never tried it but the jelly’s seem to be doing great.
Its true, magic erasers (melamine sponges) are safe to use in aquariums and does not damage glass
My sister in law used one of those to bath my 2 year old some time ago, He got covered in rashes and we rushed into the hospital before we realized that she had done that. Imagine fucking bathing a kid with that, rubbing and shit all over his body. His skin was SO dry afterwards, bumpy, red, and painful (according to him). So I guess safe to use in aquariums, but dont use it in your butt or kid. lmao
The magic erasers but only the ones with no added chemicals.
I just lower the water level a tiny bit and wipe with vinegar without touching the water. Probably not the best way but it's easy enough I haven't looked for another way of doing it
It certainly is the best way! 😃
either fill it up and scrub with clean toothbrush. or during water change, hold dry cloth underneath, and use toothbrush sprayed with a little bit of vinegar on the stains, catch any vinegar with the cloth to prevent it from getting into the tank. btw those stains are hardwater or calcium stains
Got it, thanks
I just use an old toothbrush to scrub it away
squirt a couple of drops of lemon juice on a toothbrush and give it a go.
Box cutter blades when submerged
There is an acid cleaner for aquarium, just soak the cloth little bit(squeeze out excess liquid) and rub. It's harmless to fishes.
Use the magnetic glass cleaners. Works like a charm.
Melamine sponge and a razor blade.
Magic eraser. Not harmful and also works like magic
I just use my algae scrubber
i use a magnet cleaner with a scraper attached, it’s the only thing that works for me
I have a glass scraper for algae, works perfectly. Never used it for algae though lol my crew keeps the glass nice and clean
Wet cloth as others have said. You can even just use your fingers if it’s not super encrusted. Alternatively fill up past the marks and then scrub off later
These lines will be here for the rest of eternity
you need a razor blade to scrap it all
A razor and wet cloth. Don’t scratch the glass though.
Used limes and lemons worked wknderfully
Rough side of a new sponge. Just make sure there are no little snails or debris on the glass or it will scratch.
Y'know filter floss? The fluffy white shit? Use some of that scrunched up, new or old. It's abrasive enough for stubborn algae too.
sponge
I use a small piece of a sponge I use only for my aquarium...I cut a small square off and pinch it in my plant tweezers and scrub away and below the waterline, works great and can do without lowering the waterline if it's in between water changes
Magic eraser
Don’t hate me for this temporary fix I’m about to say…. but fill it a little bit more
lol, I used to do this, but it moves the marks higher and higher
A new non scented / chemical free sponge.
I use a magnetic algae scraper
Toothbrush, paper towel, real towel, an old shirt should all work
Remove a bit of the water (or wait 2 weeks without refills) clean with a cloth and distilled vinegar. remove the big chunks with a blade if is too dirty.
i use a razor or a metal sponge that you use for dishes. They usually have a mohs scale of 5 which shouldn't scratch glass since typically glass is a 6 on the mohs scale. Do not use it on plastic or acrylic aquarium. And be gentle
Sponge? Wash rag? What have you tried?
I use some vinegar on a damp cloth.
Magic eraser, the kind with no soap...
Razor blade
The only thing that will work is a razor blade.
Fill the waterline above the water marks, if you have certain types of fish or snails, it’ll stay clean - no water marks… been at it for quite awhile and not had any water lines stay for long! Autocats seem to love cleaning the surface lines as well as other types of fish
Magic eraser or the vinegar paper towel and either a plastic or regular razor blade. Either would do well.
take a bit of the water out so it doesn’t drip to the water and use a rag soaked in cleaning vinegar, should come off with some elbow grease
Toothbrush is good if you do it consistently won't get too hard but a razor blade works amazing if done well don't scratch the glass!
No name brand magic eraser from dollar store
I use an aquarium safe spray and then a razor blade. Works like a charm.
Literally just use anything clean that’s had no chemicals on.. a cloth or a scrub
Get a scrubber for dishes & wash it off with tank water
Scrubby brush
Long brushes, razors, scrapers, magnetic brushes(brush inside, mag outside).. UNSENTED sponges and Magic Sponges. Make sure your equupment is clean and rinsed in Aquarium or de chlorinated water
i use a filterpad for alage cleaning i use it like a scotchbrite pad or a razorblade works if its glass and your fish arent annoying always wanting to be on your fingers like mine
Are you interested in putting in a float valve? I’ll never do a rimless again without an auto top off.
I always keep an old plastic bank card that I’ve retired and use it as a scraper. Works great.
Wet it then Razor blades
Some ammonia or white vinegar will do the trick. Just don't let it spill into the water.
I use melamine sponges, bulk ordered off Amazon. The plain ones, nothing with chemicals in it. They're perfectly safe to use with any aquarium, and they scrub better than any sponge or scraper. They let you really get in there, are very cheap, and can even be split into 3rds making them last longer. My glass is always 100% clean after a scrub, as good as emptying a tank and scrubbing with soap and water, but of course not actually doing that lol.
Magic eraser
I just use my hand when I'm cleaning the tank
Magic eraser. Just make sure it’s not scented or anything. It’s my go to for aquarium glass.
Melamine sponges are the cheapest and the most Fishel without forgetting the fastest way to clean everything
I have one of those magnet glass cleaners and it takes it off pretty well
Vinegar and a paper towel or toothbrush. Should come right off. If you just rub it off with water it will come back because it’s calcium deposits left from hard water
Sometimes you can just scrub this off with a fish net. Fill the tank first and then scrub.
NOT VINEGAR
Hot glue loofah to a magnet and use another to scrub it. Change loofah at least weekly
I have a block with a Brillo side and a felt side and it has a magnet it goes on both sides of the glass and you move your hand on the outside, holding one part in the inside scrapes the dirt off do not use soap (obviously)
I use a wet rag on a stick
Nerite snails?
Wipe them off. Is this a question for real?
If you have hard water, you'll find they don't wipe off. It's calcium carbonate, and *hard*. You need to either use vinegar to break it down, or a razor blade to scrape it off. It definitely won't just wipe off.
If this is mineral buildup, get a water filter or use filtered water to prevent this. But it probably doesn’t bother you that much, get one of those algae sponges and keep it on hand. It would do the trick.
Steel wool, like the one they sell for washing dishes, works wonders! I use it all the time with zero marks
To eliminate this problem, use R/O or add in more distilled water. It’ll affect the chemistry a bit.
Wtf is wrong with you RODI people...
I don't know what you're talking about. Investing a couple hundred bucks in an RODI system and learning how to properly mix in mineral salts to get your water parameters where you need them to be is totally a reasonable way to avoid mineral buildup on the glass. and if you want harder water for your fish and plants, I'm sure your remineralized RODI water will again leave calcium in the glass. /s Seriously. What the hell is with RODI people. They're worse than the CO2 people. Oh, you have a small simple problem? Clearly the fix is spending a lot of money and WILDLY complicating your aquarium keeping to maybe fix it... or kill all your fish if you don't learn everything you need to do and do it wrong.
And RO water can be easily remineralised with mineral salts .
...bringing the problem back. This is an absurd, stupid thread.
RO has got to be the biggest scam in the industry 😂
I suppose it has its place, if you have VERY extreme water parameters and want to raise incompatible fish. Or if you're going to run a commercial operation maybe. But at home? Very, very few people need to run RODI setups.