One grain of sand under a scraper blade scratches glass. That is why tank cleaning is several jobs, each with its own tool.
Quick pick
| The job | The tool | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Waste in gravel or sand, plus a partial water change | Gravel syphon | ISTA Compact Syphon Cleaner, ISTA Extended Syphon Cleaner |
| A 3-way tap for hose connections during water changes | Water changer | ISTA 3 Way Water Changer 12 mm and 16 mm |
| Algae on glass | Scraper | Seachem Algae Scraper 6 inch and 18 inch, ISTA Scraper Cleaner, ISTA Multilayer Algae Scraper, ISTA 2 in 1 Scraper |
| Film and deposits on the glass, with drier hands | Magnetic brush | Hydor Blu Sweep Mag Small |
| Algae in small scratches | Melamine pad | Seachem Algae Pad, Seachem Duo Algae Pad |
| Outside of the glass or acrylic | Polish | Seachem Aquarium Polisher |
| Scraper, scrubber and rubber scraper on one rod | Combination rod | ISTA 3 in 1 Smart Maintainer |
Gravel syphons
With gravel or sand in the tank you want a syphon. It pulls water out through a tube, and the same flow lifts waste off the substrate, so one pass cleans the bed and does the partial water change. Refill with treated water afterwards. Our water change guide covers how much and how often.
- The ISTA Compact Syphon Cleaner has adjustable flow and a curved bottle body. A filter net keeps small fish and shrimp out of the tube. A hose holder comes in the box, and ISTA extending rods fit it for deeper tanks. Squeeze the pump or shake it to start the flow.
- The ISTA Extended Syphon Cleaner shares the curved shape, which stops it clogging. Hose holder included.
Water changers
The 12 mm ISTA 3 Way Water Changer takes 13 mm hoses. The 16 mm takes 17 mm hoses. Measure your hose before you order. It is a connecting tap for water changes, and the page lists quick connect and release, double sealing O-rings and a safety lock ring.
Algae scrapers
Seachem says the metal blade scratches acrylic for good, and the ISTA Scraper Cleaner page says the same. On acrylic use the plastic blade or the soft pad. The metal blade is for stubborn algae on glass. Keep every blade clear of the gravel line.
- Seachem Algae Scraper comes in 6 inch and 18 inch. Three retractable blades (metal, plastic and a soft pad) share one handle. It floats, and spare blades are sold separately.
- ISTA Scraper Cleaner has a flexible stainless steel blade for glass only. Dry it after use. Replace it when it blunts.
- The ISTA Multilayer Algae Scraper is described as lifting algae in a single pass without scratching glass or acrylic. It is unsinkable.
- On the ISTA 2 in 1 Scraper the protective cover doubles as a soft gel scraper beside the stainless steel blade. An extension bar is included.
Magnetic brush
The Hydor Blu Sweep Mag Small floats, with only the inner half in the water, so your hands mostly stay dry. It handles the film that builds up on glass. Hard spots need a scraper. The Small (BLU 9036) is one of Hydor’s glass models, and the BLU 9031 MINI is the one Hydor lists for plastic.
Pads and polish
Small scratches hold algae that a scraper skips. The Seachem Algae Pad is melamine foam. The Duo Algae Pad has melamine on one side and a scrubbing side for rock and driftwood. Melamine lifts algae out of scratches on glass or acrylic without soaps or detergents. Use both pads wet.
The Seachem Aquarium Polisher is made for glass and acrylic exteriors. Apply it to a lint-free cloth. Never pour it into the aquarium, and do not spray it near an open tank.
The combination rod
The ISTA 3 in 1 Smart Maintainer is an extending rod with three heads: a scraper with an interchangeable stainless blade, a scrubber and a rubber scraper. It has no syphon, so pair it with one of the syphons above.
After the clean
Rinse filter media in the water you syphoned out. Our canister filter cleaning guide explains why.
Common questions
Can I use a kitchen sponge on the glass?
Skip any sponge that has had soap on it. The residue can end up in the tank. Seachem’s pads are made without soaps or detergents.
Does a syphon harm fish?
The filter net on the ISTA Compact Syphon keeps small fish and shrimp out of the tube. Work one patch of substrate at a time and keep the tube away from the fish.
Where can I see every tool?
The full range is on the Aquarium Cleaning page.
