How to Get Algae Off Aquarium Glass

Aquariums can add a touch of natural beauty to any setting. It is very relaxing and mesmerizing to watch a tank full of fish. However, owning an aquarium requires regular maintenance to ensure a healthy environment for the tank's habitants. Removing algae buildup from the aquarium glass before changing the water is an essential part of the process. Use an algae scraper to remove buildup, and keep the tank clean with a magnetic algae cleaner.

Things You'll Need

  • Algae scraper
  • Magnetic algae cleaner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a long-handled algae scrubber (pad or scraper) designed specifically for either glass or Plexiglas, depending on the type of material from which your aquarium is made.

    • 2

      Place the scrubber against the glass and move it up and down to get rid of the algae. Continue around each side of the aquarium until you have removed all of the algae from the glass.

    • 3

      Use a magnetic algae glass cleaner each time you change your water in the future to keep the glass clean. This is a distinctively designed algae cleaner that uses magnetized cleaning pads. A pad is placed on the inside and then controlled with another pad placed on the outside of the fish tank. The inside pad moves and cleans the glass as you move the outside the pad. This type of a glass-cleaning system works best on aquariums that do not have a heavy buildup of algae.