Successfully Scraping a Bow Front tank

Can anyone provide product or cleaning advice on how to successfully clean the front of a bow front tank. My tank is going through a period of high algae growth for some reason and the simple sponge with rubber edge scraper I have is really not doing a good job on the bow front. I believe this is due to the curve of the glass, although I'm not ruling out 'user error'. Heh. Anyhow, if anyone owns a bow front and has found a product or method (aside from buying more snails - which I'm doing) that manages to successfully scrape away hard crusted algae from the bow front, I'd love to hear about it.

Many thanks,

I've always used the Magnavore IV on both the 72g and 155g bowfronts. Worth every penny

I have a All-Glass 72 gallon bow front. I use the Kent pro scraper with the stainless steel blade. Works like a charm for me. Glass was not damaged in any way and the algae comes right off.

On Mon, 29 Jul 2002 01:22:04 GMT, 'Kyle Logan'

hmmm..guess I'm the only person here that used a stainless steel single edge razor..

I've always used the floating algae magnet on my 72 bow, never had a problem. Mag float I think? Though, if something won't come off, they make 'suposedly' aquarium safe paper towels, if you are willing to trust that, and get messy.

-Nichy

I, too, have bowfronts. The sponge scraper you describe is all I've used so far. It gets it off, but its a drag, takes a lot of elbow grease. By the time I'm done with just the front, my scaping arm is spent, and I skip the rest.

I've seen the LFS guys using a razor blade scraper. I plan to try this soon. Looks like the scraper you use to scrape paint off a window.

But I get unsure about buying arbitrary hardware to stick in the tank. If anyone knows the best choice for a razor scaper, lemme know.

Down side is, you gotta stick your hand in the tank. -Phil

On Mon, 29 Jul 2002 01:22:04 GMT, 'Kyle Logan'

I use anyone of the following for cleaning the glass on bow fronts:

Old credit cards Kent Plastic scraper Magnivore 4 Stanly razor from a 100pk going left to right across the surface..

I would avoid using any pads unless you are VERY carefull some pads present themselves in ways bad to curved glass...having buffed the crap out my own with several i refuse to use them ever again on curved glass.

Scrape the algae off moving horizontally with the blade vs vertically with the blade and you will have a plane to scrape. Any other way and you won't be able to scrape off the algae with a simple flat blade such as what you are using. I use the same on my bowfront.