Aqueon Magnetic Algae Scraper, Medium

The Aqueon Aquarium Algae Scraper is a magnetic glass cleaner in a medium size. One half sits outside the tank in your hand, the other rides against the inside glass. Slide the outer piece and the inner scrubber follows, wiping film algae off the viewing panels without your hands getting wet.

Weighted scrubber

Every magnetic cleaner eventually loses contact, usually when it hits a corner or a silicone seam. Aqueon weights the inner scrubber so it falls straight down instead of floating off. You can then pick it up with the outside magnet or reach in and fetch it from the substrate.

Curved pad

The cleaning pad is curved, so it works on flat panels and on curved or bow-front surfaces. Aqueon lists it as suitable for both glass and acrylic aquariums, which is not true of every scraper on the market.

Tips for acrylic and glass

• Keep the pad clear of sand before each pass, since trapped grit can scratch acrylic.
• Avoid dragging it along the bottom edge where gravel sits.
• Rinse the pad in tank water after use.

Where it fits in your routine

A quick pass every few days keeps soft green film from building into a cloudy layer. It will not remove hard spot algae or coralline growth; for those, a blade tool like the KIRECOO stainless algae scraper does better on glass. Pair glass cleaning with regular gravel work using a siphon such as the Laifoo siphon vacuum.

Who it suits

The medium size is aimed at common home aquariums with standard glass thickness. It is a low-effort tool for freshwater and saltwater keepers who want to keep the view clear between water changes.

Because the cleaner stays on the glass, it is easy to leave on the side panel and give the front a quick pass whenever you notice film. That small habit does more for a clear view than an occasional deep scrub, and it takes less than a minute.