What is everyone using for cleaning algae on low iron glass?

[vetteguy53081]

Tunze strong and magic eraser sponge ORIGINAL, not scented

 

[vtecintegra]

I'll never use a magnet cleaner again. Low iron or not. BTW, I've read the hardness of low iron is no different than regular glass. My philosophy is only use a magnet cleaner on a tank you're ok with replacing, when it puts a big scratch across the front pane. I use the flipper hand scraper that uses plastic credit cards.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I use tunze but the plastic only. I have had metal flipper and tunze scratch low iron. I will sometimes use a new razorblade if I let a spot get really thick. But after scratching 3 low iron tanks with metal magnetic cleaners I don’t think the brand matters, you have a chance of scratching. Some people don’t get a scratch but imo they are lucky lol.

the tunze plastic blades are nice, I don’t like the flippers plastic blade as much

So, low iron actually scratches more easily than regular glass?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'll never use a magnet cleaner again. Low iron or not. BTW, I've read the hardness of low iron is no different than regular glass. My philosophy is only use a magnet cleaner on a tank you're ok with replacing, when it puts a big scratch across the front pane. I use the flipper hand scraper that uses plastic credit cards.

Does this apply to the regular Mag float or "fuzzy side" of the Flipper? I find that being able to frequently wipe the glass with these makes it easy to keep from forgetting to maintain the algae removal... If you don't let it build up in the first place, not much need for a scraper (except for coraline, lol)

 

[Sean Clark]

Tunze care magnet for the win. I use two wide plastic blades on mine instead of one wide and one narrow.

 

[hart24601]

So, low iron actually scratches more easily than regular glass?

yes, it’s a bit softer

 

[SPS2020]

Do you have a picture of the plastic blade

Dozer Pads

Hover over the picture and you can see the detail.

 

[ksed]

I'll never use a magnet cleaner again. Low iron or not. BTW, I've read the hardness of low iron is no different than regular glass. My philosophy is only use a magnet cleaner on a tank you're ok with replacing, when it puts a big scratch across the front pane. I use the flipper hand scraper that uses plastic credit cards.

Flipper is coming out with a magnetic scrapper that uses credit cards.

Flipper Edge Floating 2-in-1 Dual Blade Magnetic Aquarium Cleaner

Flipper Aquarium Products develops innovative aquarium products that solve problems and make owning and servicing aquariums more enjoyable.

shop.flippercleaner.com

 

[hart24601]

yes, it’s a bit softer

For more context here is data from starfire on knoop hardness. Followed by data from a regular float glass manufacturer. However scratches also appear more just because of the clarity of glass where you wouldn’t notice otherwise.

Starfire low iron:

Regular float:

 

[Bladezz]

Arw people using razor blades anymore?

 

[Sean Clark]

Arw people using razor blades anymore?

I do, no issue.

 

[Bladezz]

I do, no issue.

That is all I have ever used and I had a 200 gallon tank up and running for 15 years. It wasn't low iron though.