Scouring pads for cleaning glass

glenngreen

glenngreen

AC Members
Mar 26, 2005
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Tucson, AZ
Real Name
Glenn Green
Well, I have always had a few of those square/rectangle flat green scrubbers under my aquarium for cleaning off the algae and film inside the tank while I do a water change. Today, I decided I needed some new ones (they lasted a long time). In the grocery store I found the Scotch Brite brand I thought I had always used for this. The package clearly states "NOT FOR AQUARIUM USE".

I don't know if I have just been lucky to date, or if something has changed. Am I the only one using these? What else is out there? Are there any "aquarium safe" scrub pads?
 
Check the label to see if it has soaps or anti-bacterial agents.
 
Many of them do contain chemicals that are not safe for fish--algicides and antimicrobials, mostly. Won't hurt the glass, but not great for fish and the beneficial microfauna.

I use the plain 'magic erasers'.
 
Hmmm. Good points. I've been using dollar store type scrubbers. The ones with a plastic handle on them. No real labeling attached. I've been using them for years, but still...
 
Some of those pads do have chemicals on them. You can even smell them on the pads.
 
Some pads are treated with chemicals, some just say not for use in aquarium to cover their butts cause that is not what their product is intended for. If there are no soaps, detergents, perfumes, anti-mold/fungal/bacterial etc added then they are usually fine. I know a lot of people are using the basic magic erasers these days too. I have used them twice myself.

Depending how long ago you bought your last batch it is possible that they just didn't NEED to put that disclaimer on the package, you know the time before we needed everything spelled out for us on every package ever?
 
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myswtsins said:
you know the time before we needed everything spelled out for us on every package ever?
Click to expand...

Yes, like etching on the bottom of soda bottles--"open other end".
 
Well, I too have some old cheap scrubby pads for cleaning. But mostly I get green spot alga on my front glass that needs nothing short of a razor blade, lol. Luckily my husband usually does it.
 
The plain magic erasers work well for spot algae. No chemicals, doesn't scratch glass unless you scrub on it for hours.
 
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