What is the Best Algae Scraper on the Market?
Looking for the best algae scraper for your tank? Here is everything you need to keep the glass crystal clear with less work.
As beautiful and soothing as aquariums are, without regular tank cleanings it won't be long before algae and waste start to build up. Algae buildup can create an unhealthy environment for your fish and and be an eyesore for you to look at. While cleaning an aquarium is a less than desirable task, if you are running a high quality filter that's designed to work with the size of your tank (which goes a long way in keeping the water clean) and also use a high quality algae scraper, it can streamline the cleaning process.
There are two types of algae scrapers (magnetic and manual) and there are really good models available for both types. When trying to decide between a manual or magnetic scraper, it really comes down to a matter of preference of which type is better for you. Below are reviews of several scrapers (both manual and magnetic) that are really good and I have selected the one that I think is the best algae scraper for each type.
At a Glance
Quick Picks: The Best Algae Scraper for Every Tank
Top Magnetic Pick
Gulfstream Tropical AGU00400 Mag-Float Glass with Scraper
Floats if the magnets come apart. Glass tanks.
Top Manual Pick
Flipper Platinum Aquarium Scraper, 18 Inch
Fiberglass handle with a non-scratch blade. Glass and acrylic.
Best for Acrylic Tanks
Flipper Aquarium Algae Magnet Cleaner
Comes with a plastic blade made for acrylic.
Comparison of the Best Algae Scrapers
| Model | Type of algae scraper | Works on glass and acrylic tanks? | Best for | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flipper Max Magnet Cleaner | Magnetic | Yes | Large tanks with thick glass or acrylic | Check Price |
| Flipper Aquarium Algae Magnet Cleaner | Magnetic | Yes | Acrylic tanks and mid-size glass tanks | Check Price |
| Gulfstream Tropical AGU00400 Mag-Float Glass with Scraper | Magnetic | No, glass only | Big glass tanks, hands-free cleaning | Check Price |
| Gulfstream Tropical AGU350LG Mag-Float Glass Aquarium Cleaner | Magnetic | No, glass only | Glass tanks on a smaller budget | Check Price |
| Gulfstream Tropical AGU360A Mag-Float Acrylic Aquarium Cleaner | Magnetic | Acrylic only | Acrylic tanks up to 5/8 inch thick | Check Price |
| Aqueon Algae Cleaning Magnet, Medium | Magnetic | Yes (use the matching pad) | Small and medium tanks on a budget | Check Price |
| Flipper Platinum Aquarium Scraper, 18 Inch | Manual | Yes | Manual scraping on glass or acrylic | Check Price |
| hygger 6-in-1 Aquarium Cleaning Tool Kit | Manual | No, glass only | One handle for every cleaning job | Check Price |
| API Algae Scraper for Glass Aquariums | Manual | No, glass only | Quick weekly wipe-downs on glass | Check Price |
| API Algae Scraper for Acrylic Aquariums | Manual | Acrylic only | Budget cleaning for acrylic tanks | Check Price |
Want the full scoop? Click any model name, or scroll down, for a detailed review of each scraper, including pros, cons and who it's best for.
Best Algae Scraper Reviews
Flipper Max Magnet Cleaner
Best for: Large tanks with thick glass or acrylic
Best for: Large tanks with thick glass or acrylic
Flipper Max Magnet Cleaner
With its ability to provide spotless tank cleans with minimal effort, the Flipper Max Magnet Cleaner is one of the leading algae scrapers there are on the market. It can convert from a scraper to a scrubber making it an excellent tool to tackle the toughest buildup in your tank; even the dreaded coralline algae. This magnetic cleaner does an excellent job in providing a thorough tank cleaning all the way down to the sand / gravel line.
This model works well on both glass and acrylic tanks that are up to 1 inch thick. It comes with two start up blades; a metal blade and a plastic blade. The metal blade should be used for cleaning glass tanks and the plastic for acrylic. To get the most out of the Flipper Max, it’s the blades should be replaced every three to six months, depending on how often you clean your tank. While this product works well on tanks of all sizes, if you have a large tank where manual cleanings are very time consuming, this is well worth the investment and will save you a ton of time!
Pros
- Can be used on both glass and acrylic tanks
- Can convert from scraper to scrubber
- Works on tanks up to 1″ inch in thickness
- Includes 2 starter blades (metal and plastic)
Cons
- Blades need replacing every few months
- More magnet than a small tank really needs
MagneticGlass + acrylicThick walls2 blades
Flipper Aquarium Algae Magnet Cleaner
Best for: Acrylic tanks and mid-size glass tanks
Best for: Acrylic tanks and mid-size glass tanks
Flipper Aquarium Algae Magnet Cleaner
The Flipper Algae Magnet Cleaner truly makes scraping algae (dare I say enjoyable) okay so maybe not enjoyable but it makes the process super easy and you'll probably find that it's so easy that you'll actually start scraping your tank on a weekly basis. It works on both acrylic and glass tanks up to 1/4" - 1/2" in thickness. In addition to the scraper it also can easily convert into a scrubber. If you don't enjoy the task of sticking your hands inside you fish tank, this algae magnet cleaner is a great alternative to manual algae scrapers.
It's advertised as two starter scraping blades being included. While it's true that it comes with 2 blades, one is made of metal which can only be used on glass tanks and the other is plastic which can only be used on acrylic tanks. So unless you have both a glass and acrylic aquarium you'll only have one starter blade that you can use. The frequency that the blades needs to be changed will vary based on tank size and how much algae it has to scrape, but a good rule of thumb is that it will need to be changed about once per month.
Pros
- Can be used on both glass and acrylic tanks
- The scraper converts into a scrubber
- Works on tanks up to 1/4" - 1/2" inch in thickness
- Includes 2 starter blades
Cons
- Only one of the two blades suits your tank type
- Blade needs changing about once a month
MagneticGlass + acrylic1/4 to 1/2 in walls2 blades
Gulfstream Tropical AGU00400 Mag-Float Glass with Scraper
Best for: House Pet Help's top pick for magnetic algae scrapers
Best for: House Pet Help's top pick for magnetic algae scrapers
Gulfstream Tropical AGU00400 Mag-Float Glass with Scraper
This particular Mag-Float algae scraper is designed to clean glass aquariums. This magnetic tank scraper has a feature that not all magnetic scrapers on the market have; it floats. Since it is able to float should the magnets come apart the magnet that's inside the tank will float to the surface of the water, saving you from having to stick your hand into the bottom of the tank to fish it out (which is kind of the whole point of having a magnetic cleaner in the first place.)
The magnets are protected by a toxic free plastic so they are never exposed to water so it doesn't rust which means you can keep it in the tank for easy storage. Weighing in at 0.3 ounces it is also very lightweight making it simple to maneuver around those hard to reach corners. One of the most noteworthy features is that the magnet is made from earth neodymium magnets. In layman's terms it has extremely strong magnetic power that doesn't lose it's force over time.
The only downside is that it is a bit pricey compared to other models. However in my opinion with its superior cleaning power, super strong magnets and the convenience of being able to keep it in the tank so it's always ready to go, it's well worth the price. Hands down, of the scrapers that are magnetic this is my pick for the best algae scraper.
If you don't want to spend the money on this model, a close second to it is the Gulfstream Tropical AGU350LG Mag-Float Glass Aquarium Cleaner. Overall the AGU350LG is a good scraper that costs a fraction of what the 400 does. However, one downside to the AGU350LG is while it does do a good job as is, for optimal cleaning power it works best with the optional Mag Float scraper accessory.
Pros
- For use on glass aquariums
- Does not sink when magnets come apart
- The magnets are made from earth neodymium magnets
- Can be stored right in the tank
Cons
- Glass tanks only
- Costs more than most magnetic scrapers
MagneticGlass onlyFloats6 x 2.5 x 1 in
Gulfstream Tropical AGU350LG Mag-Float Glass Aquarium Cleaner
Best for: Glass tanks on a smaller budget
Best for: Glass tanks on a smaller budget
Gulfstream Tropical AGU350LG Mag-Float Glass Aquarium Cleaner
If you like the idea of the Mag-Float 400 but want to spend less, the AGU350LG is a close second. It is the same floating design: if the two halves come apart, the inside piece floats up to the surface instead of sinking into the gravel.
It costs a fraction of what the 400 does and does a good job as is. The main difference is that it doesn't come with a scraper blade, so for crusty coralline algae it works best with the optional Mag-Float scraper accessory.
Pros
- Floating inside piece is easy to retrieve
- Strong magnets for its size
- Lower cost than the Mag-Float 400
Cons
- Glass tanks only
- No scraper blade in the box
MagneticGlass onlyFloatsBudget pick
Gulfstream Tropical AGU360A Mag-Float Acrylic Aquarium Cleaner
Best for: Acrylic tanks up to 5/8 inch thick
Best for: Acrylic tanks up to 5/8 inch thick
Gulfstream Tropical AGU360A Mag-Float Acrylic Aquarium Cleaner
Acrylic scratches far more easily than glass, so it needs a cleaner made for it. This is the acrylic version of the floating Mag-Float. The cleaning surface is made to be gentle on acrylic, and like the glass models the inside piece floats if the magnets separate.
Gulfstream rates the large size for acrylic aquariums up to about 350 gallons with walls up to 5/8 inch thick. As with any magnet cleaner, rinse off any sand or gravel that gets caught on the pad before you keep going, because trapped grit is what scratches acrylic. For an acrylic tank, it is one of the best algae scraper choices in the Mag-Float line.
Pros
- Made for acrylic tanks
- Floats if the magnets come apart
- Keeps your hands out of the water
Cons
- Not for glass tanks
- Pad must be kept free of sand to avoid scratches
MagneticAcrylic onlyFloatsUp to 5/8 in walls
Aqueon Algae Cleaning Magnet, Medium
Best for: Small and medium tanks on a budget
Best for: Small and medium tanks on a budget
Aqueon Algae Cleaning Magnet, Medium
The Aqueon Algae Cleaning Magnet is a simple, inexpensive magnetic cleaner that a lot of fish keepers start with. The outside handle holds a scrub pad against the inside of the tank, and the pad is curved so it works on flat and curved glass.
The inside piece is bottom-weighted, so if it comes loose it sinks straight down and rests above the gravel instead of floating away. Pads click on and off, and glass and acrylic pads are sold so you can match your tank. It's a scrubber rather than a blade scraper, so it is best for regular cleaning before algae gets crusty. If you want the best algae scraper for a small tank on a tight budget, it is hard to beat.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Curved pad cleans flat and curved surfaces
- Replaceable click-on pads
Cons
- Scrub pad only, no blade for hard algae
- Inside piece sinks rather than floats
MagneticGlass + acrylic padsBudgetMedium size
Flipper Platinum Aquarium Scraper, 18 Inch
Best for: Manual scraping on glass or acrylic
Best for: Manual scraping on glass or acrylic
Flipper Platinum Aquarium Scraper, 18 Inch
Pros
- Safe for glass and acrylic with the included blade
- Takes old cards as replacement blades
- Fiberglass handle won’t corrode
Cons
- Manual, so you do the scrubbing
- Plastic blade is slower on very hard deposits
ManualGlass + acrylic18 in handleCard blades
hygger 6-in-1 Aquarium Cleaning Tool Kit
Best for: One handle for every cleaning job
Best for: One handle for every cleaning job
hygger 6-in-1 Aquarium Cleaning Tool Kit
Like the Fluval 3-in-1 tool it replaces, this kit puts several cleaning heads on one telescoping handle. The fiberglass pole extends so your hands stay dry, and it comes with an algae scraper, a flat sponge, a right-angle sponge for corners, a fish net, a tube brush and a gravel rake.
The two sponge heads rotate so you can reach corners at different angles. The scraper uses a sharp blade, so keep it flat against the glass and use it on glass tanks only. hygger suggests it for tanks with water up to about 2.65 feet deep.
Pros
- 6 heads on one telescoping handle
- Rotating sponge heads for corners
- Includes net, tube brush and gravel rake
Cons
- Scraper blade is for glass tanks only
- Some owners say the handle joints feel light
ManualGlass onlyTelescoping6 heads
API Algae Scraper for Glass Aquariums
Best for: Quick weekly wipe-downs on glass
Best for: Quick weekly wipe-downs on glass
API Algae Scraper for Glass Aquariums
The API Algae Scraper is about as simple as it gets: a sturdy, angled 18 inch handle with a thick scrubbing pad on the end. It is a quick way to wipe green film off the glass during a weekly water change without getting your arm wet.
It is made for glass tanks only. Rinse the pad before and after each use, and wash off any gravel it picks up, since grit trapped in the pad is what scratches glass. It won't shift hard coralline algae the way a blade will.
Pros
- Inexpensive and easy to use
- Long angled handle keeps hands dry
- Thick pad lasts a long time
Cons
- Glass tanks only
- Pad, not a blade, so it struggles with hard algae
ManualGlass only18 in handleBudget
API Algae Scraper for Acrylic Aquariums
Best for: Budget cleaning for acrylic tanks
Best for: Budget cleaning for acrylic tanks
API Algae Scraper for Acrylic Aquariums
This is the acrylic version of the API scraper, with a softer pad made for acrylic and plexiglass. It's a low cost way to keep an acrylic tank clear between deeper cleanings.
Use it with gentle pressure and keep the pad free of sand, because acrylic scratches easily. For heavy buildup on acrylic, a plastic blade like the one on the Flipper Platinum works faster.
Pros
- Made for acrylic and plexiglass
- Very low cost
- Long handle keeps hands dry
Cons
- Not for glass tanks
- Slow on heavy or crusty algae
ManualAcrylic only18 in handleBudget
Types of Algae Scrapers
Not sure which type is right for you? Here is what to look at before you choose the best algae scraper for your tank.
Algae Scraper FAQ
Which Is the Best Algae Scraper for You?
The best algae scraper is the one that fits your tank. For a large glass tank, the floating Gulfstream Mag-Float 400 is my top magnetic pick. If you would rather scrape by hand, the Flipper Platinum is safe on glass and acrylic. For acrylic tanks, stick with plastic blades or pads made for acrylic, like the Flipper magnet cleaners or the Mag-Float AGU360A.
Whichever you choose, rinse off any sand before you scrape, replace worn blades, and a few minutes a week will keep your aquarium looking its best.
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