Are Shaving Razor Blades Reef Safe?!

[SauceyReef]

Hello! I have a curved glass aquarium bowl. Corraline is absolutely taking over. I am not sure what can work to get this off except a flexible razor like a shaving razor. I am just a little nervous because they all say "platinum coating".

Are these still reef safe? If not is there a better alternative for me? Magnafloat wont get it off.

 

[piranhaman00]

Why not a razor blade?

 

[SauceyReef]

Why not a razor blade?

They dont have any flexibility and wont bend. I tried using some plyers but they it just snaps the metal off. I need something slightly flexible to bend to the curve shape of the tank. A shaving razor was suggested to me - just scared about the "platinum coatings" I see on every single one!

 

[saltytanked]

Use plastic tool similar to a credit card

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

True platinum will not dissolve or corrode in seawater, but I do not know if these are real platinum.

 

[SauceyReef]

Use plastic tool similar to a credit card

Plastic is not getting this stuff off

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Seems like it should be fine for short term use. It's not like the razor is going to dissolve as soon as it contacts water. Just don't leave it in the tank between cleanings.

 

[BeanAnimal]

FWIW I used to leave my mag scraper in the tank with double edged safety razors in it. I have had more than one partially dissolve over months. I would not say it is a good idea but short term exposure would be fine. I would be careful trying to hold one to scrape though, cuts and the biology of your tank are not a good mix. There are several brands of scrapers that will accept double sided safety razor blades.

Just search amazon...

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I don't know if it's safe or not as an absolute.

But here is my anecdotal "I've been doing it on a long handled scraper for upwards of 5 years." Exactly like Bean Animal posted.

I've been doing it on a long handled scraper for upwards of 5 years. I disassemble, clean, and complete dry it after each use. Specifically little safety razor blades. If you need some flex for curves, sandwich it between thin flexible credit cards.

 

[SauceyReef]

Seems like it should be fine for short term use. It's not like the razor is going to dissolve as soon as it contacts water. Just don't leave it in the tank between cleanings.

Good call that is what I was thinking!

 

[SauceyReef]

FWIW I used to leave my mag scraper in the tank with double edged safety razors in it. I have had more than one partially dissolve over months. I would not say it is a good idea but short term exposure would be fine. I would be careful trying to hold one to scrape though, cuts and the biology of your tank are not a good mix. There are several brands of scrapers that will accept double sided safety razor blades.

Just search amazon...

I appreciate that! From my experience with my tank my cuts heal super fast after putting my arms in the tank after the initial saltwater burn. I am a mover so I have cuts on my arms and hands almost every day. I know this can still be a risk with the coral toxins and other crazy bacteria, but the only damage I have ever gotten in my 15 years in the hobby is from directly touching corals on my underarm. Almost had to go the hospital once. I think because the very unique and odd dimensions of my tank - a 5 gallon bowl I found on amazon - using a scraper will not be possible. I am still going to get one of these for my other tank! Great recommendation.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I appreciate that! From my experience with my tank my cuts heal super fast after putting my arms in the tank after the initial saltwater burn.

Yes - I surfed for many years and being in the ocean with a healthy immune system was certainly good for healing.

Your reef aquarium is NOT the ocean. You need to be acutely aware that most of our reef aquariums carry deadly viruses and bacterium such as Vibrio Vulnificus, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, etc. While infections are not the norm, open cuts, sores or wounds are extremely dangerous even for somebody with a healthy immune system.

You may have been lucky to this point, but I would not tempt fate.

 

[SauceyReef]

Yes - I surfed for many years and being in the ocean with a healthy immune system was certainly good for healing.

Your reef aquarium is NOT the ocean. You need to be acutely aware that most of our reef aquariums carry deadly viruses and bacterium such as Vibrio Vulnificus, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, etc. While infections are not the norm, open cuts, sores or wounds are extremely dangerous even for somebody with a healthy immune system.

You may have been lucky to this point, but I would not tempt fate.

Sadly I have a bunch of Nanos and tiny nimble hands. I cant use reef safe gloves and effectively clean my tanks, do maintenance, and frag corals. It just is a risk I will have to take. I do not mean to disregard your warning at all, but at this point though I have probably exposed cuts in my tank hundreds or around a thousand times. Again I have been in the hobby for 15+ years.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Yes - I surfed for many years and being in the ocean with a healthy immune system was certainly good for healing.

Your reef aquarium is NOT the ocean. You need to be acutely aware that most of our reef aquariums carry deadly viruses and bacterium such as Vibrio Vulnificus, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, etc. While infections are not the norm, open cuts, sores or wounds are extremely dangerous even for somebody with a healthy immune system.

You may have been lucky to this point, but I would not tempt fate.

This I did not know. Thank you.

 

[SauceyReef]

The flex shaving blades are working perfect! Thank you for the suggestion everyone. Much appreciated. Finally a clean aquarium bowl!

 

[SauceyReef]

This scraper is absolutely useless though besides maybe a small film of diatoms on the glass. It has no leverage to get thicker algae or corraline off. Surprised y’all have success with this. Glad I have Amazon prime!

 

[SauceyReef]

I don't travel frequently compared to some, but enough that I find it necessary to shave during trips. Currently, I use a Philips travel shaver that operates on AA batteries, which I've replaced with Eneloop rechargeables to avoid using disposables. I'm interested in upgrading to a USB-C powered shaver. What are people using for this purpose?

I WOULD GET ONE OF THOSE NUT SHAVERS FROM THE YT ADDS

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

When I shave my head I use a double edged safety razor. Way better than multi blades that tear skin up. But most blades have coating on them such as special metals or waxes to preserve the blade but they are disposable and do degrade. If you need more flexibility feather blades are really good but very thin and sharp. So be careful when handling for cleaning the tank. For shaving my head, I like personna lol.