Choosing the best algae scraper turned out to be a very interesting experience.
My aquariums accumulated large amounts of algae so I could check which algae scraper would work best.
I chose the 5 most popular algae scrapers. Below I will present you the results of my tests.
I think you will quickly find the right scraper for your aquarium.
Top Picks For Best Algae Scrapers
I purchased 5 most popular scrapers, including: three magnetic, and two standard algae cleaning sets.
FL!PPER Flipper Cleaner Float – 2-in-1 – perfectly dealt with algae on the front of the glass, and also has a very strong magnet.
NEPTONION Magnetic – you can wipe all 4 walls of the tank in a few minutes and even children can do it.
Gulfstream Tropical – although it deals with errors in some cases the magnet did not stick very tightly; I had to clean very slowly so that the cleaning side wouldn’t just get loose and float.
hygger Carbon Fiber 6 in 1 Aquarium Cleaning Tool Kit – a very large selection of attachments (flat and corner sponges, net and scoop)
Fzone New Aluminum Magnesium Alloy Scraper Cleaner – the cleaner works well for removing tough stains and buildup on your aquarium glass. Just be careful because it has a sharp blade that can hurt you or damage decorations if you’re not careful.
5 Best Algae Scrapers Reviewed
When using these scrapers how they deal with algae in my fish tank. I have 3 aquariums and you have to believe me that the amount of algae that appears in them is very large. Since we cannot avoid them, the solution is to choose the right scraper.
FL!PPER Flipper Cleaner Float – 2-in-1
FL!PPER Flipper Cleaner Float – 2-in-1 Floating Magnetic Aquarium Glass Cleaner – Fish Tank Cleaner – Scrubber & Scraper Aquarium Cleaning Tools – Floating Fish Tank Cleaner, Standard
The design of this scraper is very cool. One side of the scrubber is rough, which can be used to clean large surfaces. However, we can push the outer part of the scrubber so that the inner part rotates 180 °. This will cause the inner part to turn over so that we can use the side with the blade for scraping.
Turning the scrubber is very easy. If you do it once, you’ll have no trouble doing it again. FL!PPER flipping trick is a very innovative design and I like that it has a scrubbing pad on one side and a scraper on the other. Therefore, you do not have to invest in any additional set.
The scrubber contains 2 metal and hard plastic scraping blades. Scraper blade can easily scratch acrylic tanks. That’s why a plastic blade was created to prevent damage to the tank walls. However, in the case of a plastic blade, we still have to be careful.
The scrubbing pad easily removed the soft algae. However, for cleaning to be effective, it should be done very slowly. It takes some time to clean the entire glass.
However, the scrubbing side is not suitable for cleaning very tough green algae. Even after intensive scrubbing, they unfortunately did not disappear.
The blade side, on the other hand, did better with point green algae. I had to do it slowly, but the blade had no problems removing them. Both the metal and plastic blades dealt well with green algae.
In addition, the scraper blade is ideal for cleaning along the surface of the substrate. We can easily clean the algae at the bottom of the tank, but we must do it carefully and slowly.
This scraper works great along the substrate and near corners, but in the case of open spaces it is not very effective. In my case the cleaning was very slow.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Precise in removing algae along the substrate and near corners
Cons:
- It doesn’t float when detached
- It is not suitable for large surfaces – scraper blade slow in big open areas
Gulfstream Tropical Mag-Float
Gulfstream Tropical AGU130A Mag-Float Acrylic Aquarium Cleaner, Medium
Mac float is perfect for open spaces, but is less suitable for precise areas such as corners or substrate. It is worth considering whether to buy two scrapers. One that will be perfect for open spaces and the other that will work well in tight corners and along the substrate, like FL!PPER.
The design of this scraper is much simpler. Again, there is no trick here when it comes to switching between pads. You have only scrubbing pad without the scraper blade.
Cleaning large glass surfaces was really very easy. All you had to do was scrap back and forth.
Clearing tight areas is more challenging. Unlike open spaces where you can swiftly move through with ease, you can’t just use quick movements to power through tight spots.
Cleaning these areas was frustrating. I also have to be careful not to get gravel or anything else stuck in it. I find it best not to use it near the bottom at all. Sand that stuck in the middle may cause scratches on the glass.
Particular care should be taken with acrylic aquariums. You must move slower and more carefully around the tank.
Although it coped well with green algae, it is a bit more difficult to clean the \algae along the substrate and near the corners.
I suggest continuing to use the Fl!pper for cleaning close to the bottom of the tank and around corners. It’s effective for those hard-to-reach areas.
Pros:
- It works great in open areas
- Has a strong magnet
Cons:
- No scraper blade
- Not suitable for cleaning tight corners
Neptune’s Aquawing
NEPTONION Magnetic Aquarium Fish Tank Glass Algae scrapers Glass Cleaner Scrubber Clean Brush [Floating,Scratch-Free,Non-Slip,magnetizing] L
An interesting solution in the Neptune’s Aquawing is the large handle. It allows you to move the scraper easily. Aquawing did well on soft algae, but slightly worse with green algae.
However, even children can clean the algae. The rough material is great for removing global algae such as brown algae.
To clean large open areas or places with green point algae, it required many more strokes to fully clean it.
In particular, it is difficult to get to the tight corners of the aquarium. This scraper will work very well in large aquariums because the internal part of the scraper is very large.
In smaller tanks we will have trouble moving freely. Of course, we can choose one of 3 sizes depending on the aquarium size you have.
As I mentioned earlier, it is impossible to clean the tight corners of the aquarium with this scraper.
While I was using it, the scraper fell off several times while cleaning along the edges.
Clearing off this stubborn algae required many more swipes. I wouldn’t suggest purchasing this scraper for removing green spot algae; it’s just too frustrating to use.
If you accidentally detach it from the magnet on the outer side, it’s not a problem as the scraper floats to the top, making retrieval much easier.
Pros:
- Large scrubbing pad
- Handle for easy cleaning
- Works well for soft algae on a large areas
Cons:
- Struggles more with hard algae
- The scraper is large enough that you may have difficulty moving it if there is no open space in the aquarium
- Not suitable for cleaning tight corners
Hygger Carbon Fiber 6 in 1
hygger Carbon Fiber 6 in 1 Aquarium Cleaning Tool Kit Algae Scraper Scrubber Pad Sponge Telescopic Handle Fish Tank Brush Cleaner Set for Saltwater Freshwater
This cleaning kit includes many useful accessories, but at the same time some of them turn out to be useless.
A big advantage of this set is the stable handle and the ability to adjust it from 23 to 34 inches. This allows cleaning and access to even the most troublesome nooks and crannies.
At the end of the handle there is a spring loaded quick release that allows you to easily replace the different attachments. The kit includes the following attachments.:
- Flat Sponge
- Right Angle Sponge
- Razor Blade
- Gravel Rake
- Tube Brush
- FishNet
There are two types of sponges for cleaning, one flat and the other shaped to fit the size of the tank. Let’s be realistic. Even with this sponge, it might not be easy to clean stubborn algae buildup.
The sponge is so soft that it is only suitable for soft algae. In the case of green algae, it will be difficult to remove them with such a sponge.
The corner-shaped attachment was very disappointing. It is not suitable for cleaning hard algae.
The thing it’s the swivel where it’s attached is too loose, so when you try to clean with it, it’s hard to do it properly because it doesn’t stay in the right position.
You end up having to twist your arm in weird ways to make it work. When scrubbing intensively, I was afraid that I would break the entire handle.
The sponges that come with the kit are great for keeping your aquarium clean from soft algae, as long as you clean it regularly.
If we go on holiday for 2 weeks, you might come back to find some tough-to-remove algae that the sponge can’t handle.
For very soft algae, these 2 attachments will work well. However, they might not reach all the tricky spots in your tank.
The kit also includes a metal blade attachment. This tool can handle both soft and tough algae on your aquarium glass. However, cleaning may be a bit difficult because you can’t adjust the angle of the blade to the angle of the glass being cleaned.
You should also be careful not to damage the glass because the blade is relatively sharp.
You also have a tool that’s designed for moving sand and gravel – rake attachment. I’m not entirely sure about this part of the kit. It seems like it could be good for grabbing small things from the bottom, but other than that, I’m not sure what else it’s good for.
I can easily smoothing out gravel and sand using my hands. There’s no need for me to use a gravel rake to do it.
It’s pretty straightforward for me to do it manually without any special tools.
A bottlebrush attachment turned out to be a nice addition. We can use it to clean up those long strands of algae, like staghorn or hair algae.
All you have to do is wrap it around the brush and that’s it. Normally, I’d use a regular toothbrush for tasks like this, but this attachment works perfectly in this situation. It fits nicely and does the job well.
Additionally, there is a net attachment. It may be useful for removing all the bits of algae that float on the water surface. However, it is a small net, so I wouldn’t use it to catch fish.
Pros:
- Sponges are great for tackling soft algae
- Adjustable handle
- Bottlebrush ideal for gathering up hair algae
- Net attachment
Cons:
- The swivel is too loose
- Sponges are not suitable for cleaning stubborn algae
- You cannot change the angle of the metal blade
- Metal blade is sharp and we can damage the aquarium glass
Fzone Alloy Algae Scraper
Fzone New Aluminum Magnesium Alloy Scraper Cleaner, Clean Brush with 10 Stainless Steel Blade for Aquarium Fish Plant Reef Tank Glass Cleaning Rotatable Head Extended to 26inch
This scraper is very simple but effective. It uses thin razor blades that effectively removed all types of algae, both soft and hard. The element that I really like in this set is a small attachment with a brush that can be used to clean the nooks and crannies and decorations in the aquarium.
The simplest tools can do the most. This is the case with this scraper. Even though I’m not a fan of using razor blades, I really liked this scraper.
The handle supplied in the set comes in four parts and you can adjust its length to your needs. By combining all 4 parts we can get a length of 26 inches. However, if we leave some of them, we can shorten it to 9 inches.
Once you assemble this handle, it feels really strong and stable, which I found quite impressive. And the best part is, when you’re done using it, it’s simple to take apart and store away neatly.
A very interesting solution is that you can adjust the angle of the blade. In case of getting to the more inconvenient parts of the aquarium, you are able to adjust the angle of the blade to the glass.
The scraper head can be unscrewed and replaced with a blade if it is no longer effective.
I didn’t expect these tools to be effective against green spot algae because they seemed too delicate. But surprisingly, the thin blade can actually reach behind the algae and remove it easily without leaving any residue.
The set includes 10 blades and this should be enough for scraping algae.
As I wrote earlier, a very interesting solution is a small attachment with a brush, which is perfect for cleaning corners and hard-to-reach places in the aquarium.
You can also use it to clean decorative elements such as larger stones or roots. In addition, the brush head is also adjustable, which allows us to reach various nooks and crannies.
When using this attachment, we must, of course, be careful not to damage the aquarium glass. This kit is not suitable for acrylic tanks.
Pros:
- Solid construction
- Effectively removes stubborn algae
- Comes with a brush that can reach into tight spots
- Adjustable length
Cons:
- Razor blades are sharp and may damage the glass in the aquarium
- Not suitable for acrylic tanks
Which is the best?
When it comes to those scrapers for cleaning aquariums, I don’t have just one favorite. I think the best way to clean an aquarium is by using not just one, but two different tools.
When it comes to keeping the front glass of your fish tank clean, I think FLIPPER and MAG-FLOAT are the best tools. The scraper attachment on the FLIPPER makes it easy to clean those tricky spots near the bottom of the tank. And MAG-FLOAT does a great job of getting rid of that slimy algae buildup.
On the other hand, the FLIPPER scrubber didn’t work as well. It was taking forever to clean just a small part of the area.
Even though I usually avoid using sharp tools like razor blades for cleaning, this scraper proved to be the best at tackling the stubborn algae.
Of course, you must be careful when cleaning with the Fzone scraper and remember that it is not suitable for acrylic aquariums. If you have an acrylic aquarium, I would choose Mag-Float in addition to FLIPPER.
It appears that in certain situations, the Fzone scraper is the most effective tool for removing stubborn algae from aquarium glass.
The other 2 magnetic scrapers also dealt with algae well, but in my opinion the FLIPPER is the best.
Moreover, the Hygger long-handled scraper did not meet my expectations. The sponge was not able to effectively remove algae, and the long handle felt a bit wobbly.
It’s ultimately up to you which tools you go for, but I suggest picking two that will actually get the job done well in your aquarium.
How did I test the scrapers?
In this case, I chose the most popular algae scrapers. They include both magnetic scrapers and those with a long handle.
I chose the above scrapers and experimented with how they would remove algae from my aquariums.
Since I had a bunch of algae buildup in my tanks, I tested these scrapers in various ways to find out which methods worked best.
Different types of algae have started growing in my fish tank. The most common ones are brown algae, which cling to decorations, and green spotted algae, which are tough to clean off the glass. Additionally, I’ve had an outbreak of hair algae in one of my tanks.
Magnetized scrapers are great tools for cleaning the front and side windows of your fish tank. Out of the three models mentioned, they all do a good job of getting rid of soft algae. However, they struggle a bit when it comes to removing green algae.
Long-handled scrapers worked really well at getting rid of green algae. In one tank, there were so many of them that even the best magnetized scraper couldn’t handle them.
I tried out all the scrapers I had to find out which ones worked best for cleaning.
Of course, you should be especially careful when using razor blade scrapers to avoid scratching the tank glass. This is especially important in the case of aquariums made of acrylic.
Always make sure to read and follow the instructions from the manufacturer. This way, you can prevent accidentally scratching or damaging your aquarium.
How to choose an algae scraper?
Above I wrote to you what I think about all these scrapers, but you can ask yourself which one will be the best for me?
This, of course, depends on the material of the tank and its size. Some scrapers are suitable for glass tanks and others are designed for acrylic tanks. Some can also be used in both cases.
Scrapers that can be used for glass tanks are usually made of a harder material. For example, they have a side with a Velcro hook. In the case of an acrylic tank, these materials are softer so as not to damage the aquarium glass.
Metal scrapers are used for glass tanks, while plastic scrapers are used for acrylic tanks. Using a metal scraper on a glass tank may have disastrous consequences. The resulting scratches on the glass will not be aesthetic and in most cases irreversible.
Therefore, never use a metal scraper on an acrylic tank.
To clean the outside of the tank, you can use Mr Clean Magic Erasers. They do not contain any additional cleaning agents and will not damage the surface of the aquarium.
The size of your tank is also important. The scraper should be adapted to the size of your aquarium. If you choose a small scraper for a 100-gallon aquarium, it will take you forever to clean the glass.
On the other hand, if you use a large scraper for a small tank, it might be hard to handle and maneuver.
Don’t forget to also check the thickness of the aquarium the magnetized scrubbing pad is intended for. A tank with thicker walls will need a stronger magnet.
If you have a large tank and buy a bad attachment with a weak magnet, you will not be able to work effectively. Weak pressure will not allow you to clean the glass.
If you have a tall aquarium, you may consider buying a scraper with a long handle. This will make it much easier for you to reach the bottom of the tank.
Do you need an algae scraper?
I believe that having a scraper is an essential tool for every self-respecting aquarist.
Sure, your tank won’t suddenly break if you don’t have one, but let’s be honest, we keep aquariums because we want them to look nice, right?
So, you don’t want your aquarium to get all covered in algae. That’s where an algae scraper comes in handy. It’s a simple tool that helps you clean the glass inside the aquarium.
You might not realize how dirty the tank is until you use the scraper to wipe away all the algae. Then, you’ll see the water looks clearer and the tank looks much nicer.
In conclusion
Using a scraper to clean your aquarium is really helpful. It makes getting rid of algae and keeping your tank looking nice much easier.
The scraper you choose depends on your needs. However, remember to read the manufacturer’s instructions before you start using it.
If you use the scraper the wrong way, you might accidentally scratch your tank, which is something we definitely want to avoid.
So, which scraper should you go for?