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DIY Awesome Algae Scraper


farkwar

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Get a length of 3/8" acrylic rod.

 

A razor blade.

 

A propane torch. Pair of pliers.

 

Hold razor by the side edge with pliers. Heat razor with torch until its glowing.

 

Stick the blunt side of red hot razor into tip of acrylic rod, at a slight angle. Hold until it cools and sets.

 

Use it for very tight spots normal scrapers cant get to.

 

When razor is blunt or rusty, Heat razor again with torch. Remove and repeat.

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I do similar, but with bamboo skewers. Poke the end through the slot in the blade, set the angle, and drown it in super glue. Cheap, and disposable when they rust.

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Ya.

 

I started off with strips of Gorilla tape, wrapped arrowhead Indian style. Sliced my finger pulling that apart.

 

Then thick CA glue, like you mention.

 

Then the propane torch.

 

PSA, those of you who are under 18, have a parent do this.

 

I was thinking a month or two ago about telescoping carbon fiber tubes with some kind of flat clamp on the tip to hold them.To sell.But its such an easy cheap DIY, I doubt anyone would buy them(at $50ish).

 

I might post a vid next blade change. Dunno, was my explanation clear enough?

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you need to make the blade replaceable, like a cheap plastic window scraper that holds the blade.. that way when you need a new blade you just drop one in.. I'd buy that..

 

like this:

DI-Accessories-Razor-Blade-and-Mini-Plas

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Do the video.
K.

 

you need to make the blade replaceable, like a cheap plastic window scraper that holds the blade.. that way when you need a new blade you just drop one in.. I'd buy that.. like this:DI-Accessories-Razor-Blade-and-Mini-Plas
Well the blade is replaceable. Youll see in the vid that joy and anizato convinced me to do.That scraper is obviously way to short to be useful. I have the Kents telescoping one, even comes with a small scraper like yours there. They just dont want to work is tight places, like behind rocks on the back glass for example.
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Watch "DIY Awesome Algae Scraper" on YouTube DIY Awesome Algae Scraper:

 

nice video, should add a duh warning to not use it on silicone edges

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nice video, should add a duh warning to not use it on silicone edges

Ya, I thought about that. I left it out with the "Dont Use Propane Torch To Dry Hair or Dishes" and "Dont Use A Wobbly Barstool As A Workbench", warnings.

 

 

 

Actually though, the first tank in the vid, it grows brown crap algae on the silicone excellently. Its an older AGA Aqueon style 40b, extra thick silicone (not like the thin silicone on the Tetras). I do use it carefully and perpendicularly, sometimes, and it works ok at removing it. My little nano mag just bounces around on it. I know I should use the Kents scraper on that junk.

 

Mostly I just leave tge silicone brown in that tank, it has a torus of the same crap around the MP10. This tank is getting upgraded soon as I can afford it. Elos 70 is 75%, ADA 90P 25%. I dont think ill use a razor in either of those tanks, too big a chance at scratching the low iron glass.

 

I scratched a house window with Scotchbrite long time ago, even those wont get near the upgrade tank. Something like a microfiber cloth wrapoed around a sponge or something ill have to figure out.

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