If you have a bunch of algae in your aquarium, what you need is a good algae remover, and this is exactly what I’m here to help you find today.
Best Algae Removers for Aquariums
- API Algae Scraper
- SLSON Aquarium Algae Scraper
- Aqueon Aquarium Algae Cleaning Magnets
- Pronetcus Algae Scraper for Glass Aquariums
- COODIA Internal Green Water Killer
Top 5 Best Algae Removers for Aquariums: Reviews
Let’s take an in-depth look at each of the top five best algae removers that your money can buy.
1. API Algae Scraper: Our Top Pick
- Quickly removes off anything unsightly from acrylic aquariums
- The extra-long handle (18 inches) keeps the hand from getting wet
This is a special algae removal tool designed specifically for acrylic aquariums. It features a simple scrubbing pad that you just have to rinse with warm water before and after use. The temperature of the pad is specifically designed to pick up and hold on to algae, therefore effectively removing it from your fish tank.
Unfortunately, it is suitable for acrylic aquariums only, but many people have these, so I see no problem with this. On that note, you might also appreciate how it comes with an extra long 18 inch handle, which should be more than long enough for most aquariums. This handle should be long enough to prevent you from getting your hands wet.
All in all, it might be a very simple item, but it is effective, particularly for algae removal and acrylic aquariums, and it doesn’t cost that much either. Let’s keep in mind that the pad itself is quite long lasting and should provide you with many months of service. It even comes complete with a built-in hook for simple storage. It even has an angled handle so you can get into tough spots with ease.
Pros
- Good price
- Durable build
- Long handle
- Angled for tough spots
- Ideal for acrylic tanks
Cons
- For acrylic tanks only
If you have an acrylic aquarium and you need a simple algae removal tool, this is one of the best ones at your disposal.
2. SLSON Aquarium Algae Scraper
- HIGH QUALITY BRUSH:the aquarium brush made of high quality sponge,it could remove the alge quickly...
- NON SLIP HANDLE: the brush handle made of premium plastic,sturdy and durable,wiht non slip handle...
You have another relatively simple aquarium algae scraper, with this one also being specifically designed for both acrylic and plastic fish tanks, although it may also be used for glass tanks. Personally, I would use this only for acrylic tanks, and if you were to use it for glass tanks, be very careful that you don’t scrub any gravel or sand against your glass, or else you will scratch it.
This unit comes complete with an extra long handle that has a sturdy design, so you can apply some pressure if needed. It also features an angled design to allow you to get into tough spots with these.
The handle itself also features a bit of a texture on it, so you can easily hold on to it. It even comes with a special hole on the end of the handle so you can easily hang it up anywhere you see fit. The pad or scrubber brush that this unit comes with is also designed to be very long lasting, and it can easily pick up algae off of virtually any surface.
Pros
- Long handle
- Good grip
- Angled design for tough spaces
- Long lasting brush head
- Great price
Cons
- Not ideal for glass tanks
This is a great algae remover for plastic and acrylic tanks that is certainly worth checking out.
3. Aqueon Aquarium Algae Cleaning Magnets
- Magnet makes it easy to clean the inside of the aquariums from the outside
- Scrubber falls straight down if separated from magnet for easy retrieval
Switching gears a little bit, here we have gone from an algae scraper to a magnetic algae removal pad. This is a special type of tool that has a magnet and a handle on the outside, and a corresponding magnetic pad on the inside. They connect to each other through your aquarium walls, so you can simply move the handle along the outside, and the pad will move along the inside. It’s a rather ingenious invention.
The interior scrubber comes complete with a special pad that is designed to remove algae from the aquarium without scratching the tank. Remember however that this unit is also specifically designed for acrylic aquariums. It may also be used for glass aquariums, but you really need to be careful not to scratch the glass, particularly if you have sand as a substrate in your tank.
If the scrubber happens to become disconnected from the exterior magnet, it falls straight down in the tank, therefore making it very easy to retrieve. There are also several sizes available, including a mini, small, medium, and large. This should therefore be suitable for tanks of all sizes. The big benefit here is that you never need to reach down into the tank in case the handle on the scrubber is not long enough.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Good price
- Several sizes
- Never get your hands wet
- Safe for acrylic
- Has a curve for curved surfaces
Cons
- Requires caution when using with glass tanks
If you want a simple magnetic aquarium scrubber that prevents you from getting your hands wet, this is a good option to consider.
4. Pronetcus Algae Scraper for Glass Aquariums
- Pronetcus Premium scraper -- suitable for saltwater tank and freshwater aquariums.
- Replaceable blade -- easy to install and replace blade.
Switching gears yet again, here we have an aquarium scraper designed for glass tanks. Unlike the others we have looked at so far which were designed specifically for acrylic tanks, this one is designed specifically for glass tanks.
It features a simple stainless steel blade that you scrape along the glass, therefore removing the algae from the surface. These blades are very sharp and effective, and can even be replaced once they wear down. Replacing them is made easy thanks to the simple screw on system. Keep in mind that this unit is ideal for both saltwater and freshwater tanks.
This unit also comes with a plastic blade cover so you can safely store the unit without risk of injuring yourself. You may also appreciate how this model comes in three different sizes, 16, 21, and 26 inches, therefore allowing you to choose the one that works best for your aquarium size.
Pros
- Sturdy design
- Stainless steel blades
- Various sizes
- Easy to replace blades
- Ideal for glass tanks
Cons
- Not suitable for acrylic tanks
If you need a simple algae scraper that works well for glass tanks, this is probably your best bet.
5. COODIA Internal Green Water Killer
- Turns green water to clear in 3 to 7 days.
- Suitable for Saltwater and Freshwater.
To finish things off, what we have here is an effective green water algae remover that does not involve any work on your end. Unlike all of the other models we have looked at so far, which required physical effort, this is actually just a UV sterilizer.
In other words, this is a special item that has a UV light generating bulb on the inside, with UV light being able to kill virtually any type of algae out there. It also comes complete with its own built-in water pump, so you don’t have to connect it to your filter.
Simply use the suction cups to mount it anywhere on the inside of your tank anywhere you see fit, in a vertical manner, plug it in, and turn it on. It is able to efficiently control fleet free-floating algae in your tank, and with great efficiency. That said, this is not something that can actually scrape algae off of the inside of your tank, although it is more than ideal for keeping green water under control.
This unit is ideal for tanks up to 75 gallons in size, and it can take up to seven days for it to take full effect in a tank of this size. All in all, we think that it might just be one of the most convenient items to use, especially as far as prevention of algae is concerned.
Pros
- Effectively controls algae
- No physical work required
- Ideal for getting rid of free-floating algae
- For tanks up to 75 gallons
- Low cost
- Has its own pump
Cons
- Cannot scrape algae off tank walls
If you’re looking for a simple UV sterilizer that works to kill free-floating algae, this is probably the best one out there.
Algae Removers for Aquariums Buyers Guide: What to Look Out For
Usually we would do a buyers guide with several sections to tell you what to look out for when purchasing an algae remover for your aquarium. However, this is a special case, because what it really all comes down to is the type of algae remover that you want.
A Brush or Scraper for Acrylic Tanks
As you can see from my reviews, first there are regular algae scraping brushes designed to remove algae off of the inside of acrylic aquariums. These are fine for smaller tanks, as long as you don’t have to reach down too deep. Just make sure that they come with a good handle.
Magnetic Algae Removers
We then have magnetic algae removers, which are tools that allow you to keep your hands dry by controlling the interior algae removing pad using an exterior magnet. These are super convenient, especially for large tanks. They can help prevent you from getting your hands wet. That said, they don’t allow you to apply quite as much pressure as with a brush or scraper, which may be an issue for some people.
Algae Scrapers for Glass Tanks
You then have algae scrapers for glass tanks, which are more or less just long metal blades designed to scrape anything and everything off of aquarium glass. These are ideal for glass tanks, but you should avoid using these for acrylic tanks, because you will probably scratch them.
UV Sterilizers
If you want to control the free floating algae in your fish tank, as opposed to scraping algae off of the sides of the tank, then using a UV sterilizer or a green water filter is ideal.
