{"product_id":"api-algae-pad-for-glass","title":"API Algae Pad for Glass","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifts algae film off glass with nothing but your hand.\u003c\/strong\u003e The API algae pad for glass aquariums is a plain hand-held scrubbing pad — no handle, no magnet, no mechanism. That is the point of it: your hand goes where a long-handled tool cannot, into corners, along the silicone seams and around the base of decor. One pad per pack, suitable for freshwater and saltwater tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead the next section before you buy. This pad is for glass only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGlass only — not for acrylic\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI's instruction is unambiguous: \u003cem\u003e\"For use on glass aquariums only. Do not use on acrylic, Plexiglas, or any surface other than glass.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI does not publish the reason, so we will not invent one. What matters is that the restriction is one-way and it comes from the manufacturer. If your tank is acrylic, buy the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-hand-held-algae-pad-for-acrylics\"\u003eAPI Hand Held Algae Pad for Acrylics\u003c\/a\u003e instead — same idea, different pad, made for soft panels. Scratches in acrylic are permanent and there is no way back from them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-held, no handle\u003c\/strong\u003e — API describes it as giving hand-held control to clean nooks and crannies. You get direct feel for how hard you are pressing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReaches where scrapers cannot\u003c\/strong\u003e — internal corners, seams and the awkward gap behind an internal filter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFreshwater and saltwater\u003c\/strong\u003e — API lists it across both its freshwater and saltwater accessory ranges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne pad per pack\u003c\/strong\u003e — API states the pack contains one scrubbing pad.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNothing to break\u003c\/strong\u003e — no blade, no fittings, no replacement parts to chase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eType\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHand-held algae scrubbing pad\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSurface\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGlass aquariums only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHandle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone — bare hand-held pad\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack quantity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 pad\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater and saltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBlade\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone — this is a pad, not a bladed scraper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to use it, and the cautions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI's directions and cautions, in full:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse the pad with tap water before and after each use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not use on dry surfaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTo avoid scratching or breaking aquarium glass, do not use extreme pressure when scrubbing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not use on acrylic, Plexiglas, or any surface other than glass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne habit worth adding: check the pad for a trapped grain of gravel or sand before it touches the glass again. API gives that warning on its glass scraper, and the physics is the same on a pad — a single grain dragged across a panel leaves a line you will look at for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse it for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreen spot and film algae on glass panels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorners, silicone seams and tight spaces a long-handled tool cannot reach.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuick touch-ups on the front pane between full maintenance sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo not use it for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcrylic or Plexiglas tanks\u003c\/strong\u003e — API prohibits it. Use the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-hand-held-algae-pad-for-acrylics\"\u003eacrylic pad\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeep tanks\u003c\/strong\u003e, if you would rather keep your arm dry. A long-handled tool is the better answer there.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHard calcium or coralline deposits\u003c\/strong\u003e — a pad will not shift them; that is a job for a blade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat API does not publish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI's accessory pages are sparse. There is no published figure for the pad's dimensions, its material, its weight, or whether it floats or sinks, and API does not state a replacement interval or offer replacement pads. Retailers commonly list this pad as roughly 3 inches square, but that is not an API figure and we have not put it in the spec table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-hand-held-algae-pad-for-acrylics\"\u003eAPI Hand Held Algae Pad for Acrylics\u003c\/a\u003e — the acrylic-safe version, if you also keep an acrylic tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-algae-scraper-for-acrylic-aquariums\"\u003eAPI Algae Scraper for Acrylic Aquariums\u003c\/a\u003e — the long-handled option for deep tanks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-algaefix\"\u003eAPI AlgaeFix\u003c\/a\u003e — if you are scrubbing the same panel every few days, treat the cause rather than the symptom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-freshwater-master-multi-test-kit-5-in-1\"\u003eAPI Freshwater Master Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — persistent algae usually tracks back to nitrate and phosphate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/api\"\u003eThe full API range\u003c\/a\u003e — the rest of the maintenance and treatment line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI publishes no warranty term for its cleaning accessories. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply regardless and are not limited by anything stated here. Ships as standard freight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use the API algae pad for glass on an acrylic tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. API states it is for use on glass aquariums only and must not be used on acrylic, Plexiglas or any surface other than glass. The API Hand Held Algae Pad for Acrylics is the correct product for acrylic panels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes the API algae pad come with a handle?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is a bare hand-held pad with no handle and no magnet. If you want reach without wetting your arm, the API Algae Scraper with handle is the alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many pads are in a pack?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne. API states the product contains 1 scrubbing pad. Some overseas retailers sell a separate two-count pack, which is a different item number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill it scratch my aquarium glass?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI's caution is to avoid extreme pressure when scrubbing, to prevent scratching or breaking the glass. The other risk is grit: rinse the pad before and after each use so a trapped grain of gravel is not dragged across the panel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use it in a saltwater tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. API lists this pad across both its freshwater and saltwater accessory ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"API","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55242268410147,"sku":null,"price":12.56,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/api-algae-pad-for-glass-43106863579427.webp?v=1790231147","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/api-algae-pad-for-glass","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}