Choosing a scraper for an aquarium
Despite the fact that home aquarium lovers create almost ideal conditions for their fish, it is still necessary to clean the inside of the glass. This will require a special scraper. Of course, you can do something like this with your own hands, but it is best to purchase a ready-made version. What should be an aquarium glass scraper, we will tell you right now.
The purpose
Despite the fact that lovers of domestic fish try to create the most comfortable and correct conditions for their pets, the aquarium still needs to be cleaned periodically. It is important to remember that an aquarium is a habitat for a wide variety of microorganisms that can sometimes settle on the walls of the tank. As a result, the reservoir loses its aesthetic appearance, but the most unpleasant thing is that it can negatively affect the life and well-being of the fish. That's why it is worthwhile to clean the glass in a timely manner.
Most people prefer homemade scrapers, which can be made from a regular dish sponge or even an unnecessary plastic card. Such products, of course, can clean glass well, but they can also leave traces in the form of micro-scratches. Besides, with prolonged use, sponge particles can remain in the water, which will disturb the cleanliness and microclimate in the aquarium.
Therefore, it is better to give preference to a special device, which can be easily and inexpensively purchased at any specialized store.
Currently, there are several types of such scrapers. The most popular and affordable option is the blade scraper. Magnetic or combined models are also in demand. In order to make it easier to make a choice, you should familiarize yourself with the advantages of each type.Remember that the product must be of high quality and durable. A good scraper should easily remove plaque the first time, leaving no streaks or damaging the glass surface.
Varieties
With a razor
As mentioned above, the most popular and demanded option is the so-called razor scraper. This product resembles a safety razor with a long handle. The main advantage of this model is that it easily copes even with strong thickets on glass.
Thanks to the easy movement of the blade during cleaning, it allows you to tidy up even the most distant and hard-to-reach corners of the aquarium.
So, with a simple yet very practical tool, you can easily clean your fish house. It is worth mentioning that the product is made in such a way that the blade will not scratch the glass.
Usually, the tip of such an accessory is made of stainless steel, thanks to which it will last a long time... Now you can find a model with long and short handles. And there are options with interchangeable handles, which is also very convenient.
When buying such a product, pay attention to the blade itself. It is advisable to choose a narrow version, since then it will be possible to replace it with the most common blade that is used in safety razors. If you have chosen a model with an unusually wide sharp edge, then it may be difficult to replace it.
In the event that the aquarium in your home is made of plexiglass, then you should clean it with such an accessory with great care. Such material is very easy to scratch, and if not cleaned carefully, it can be damaged.
Magnetic
You've probably noticed that in specialized stores there is a large selection of magnetic scrapers, which are designed for cleaning aquariums. This is not in vain, because such devices have important advantages.
Let's begin with that such an accessory is very convenient and practical to use. It is lightweight and, most importantly, effectively copes with its work, efficiently cleaning the glass from dirt, leaving no scratches or streaks.
The magnetic scraper consists of two parts, in fact, these are two magnets. One should be placed on the inside of the aquarium and the other on the outside. This way you can easily clean the glass without putting your hands in the water. Besides, Unlike a long-handled scraper, you will not scare the fish, as cleaning will be almost imperceptible for them.
When choosing such an accessory, it is worth remembering that the thicker the glass of your home aquarium, the stronger the magnetic field of such a scraper should be, otherwise it simply will not cope with its task. Also, pay attention to the floating magnet used for cleaning the glass from the inside. If dropped into the aquarium, it will float up.
It should be noted that this scraper is perfect for light dirt. If the glasses are already overgrown, then the magnetic accessory will not cope with this.
Other options
The so-called combined option copes quite well with its main task. Such a scraper consists of a retractable handle, on which a sponge and a blade are located. This option fights well against light dirt and white bloom. But he will not be able to remove a thick layer of dirt from the glass.
Besides, for easy and regular cleaning, you can choose the most common option - this is a scraper with a long handle, at the end of which there is a special cleaning material. As a rule, this is a matter that resembles a very hard pile. Such a scraper copes well with plaque, does not scratch the glass surface. The length of the handle varies greatly depending on the size of your home aquarium.
For those who are not afraid of the high price and who do not want to spend a lot of time cleaning glasses, special electric models are sold. Such a tool copes with both light and difficult dirt, effectively cleaning the glass surface without damaging it.
As a rule, these models come with several detachable attachments, so that you can clean the aquarium even in hard-to-reach places. The device is powered by batteries, which is very convenient.
For the magnetic aquarium scraper, see below.