{"product_id":"api-algae-scraper-for-acrylic-aquariums","title":"API Algae Scraper for acrylic aquariums","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReaches the bottom corners without putting your arm in the tank.\u003c\/strong\u003e The API algae scraper for acrylic aquariums is a scrubbing pad mounted on a long handle, made for the soft panels of an acrylic tank. API's full product name is Algae Scraper for Acrylic Aquariums with Handle, and the handle is the reason to buy it: Australian distributors list it at 18 inches, roughly 46 cm, which covers most tanks from the rim to the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne important correction to the usual product listings: despite the name, this is not a bladed scraper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIt is a pad on a handle, not a blade\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI describes this product as an extra-long, extra-strong handle with a durable scrubbing pad. There is no plastic or steel blade on it, and API publishes no replacement blade or pad for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat matters when you are choosing. A pad handles soft green film and the everyday haze on acrylic. It will not shift hard calcium or coralline deposits — and on acrylic, a blade is not the answer to those either, because acrylic marks far more easily than glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are looking for a bare pad for acrylic without the handle, that is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-hand-held-algae-pad-for-acrylics\"\u003eAPI Hand Held Algae Pad for Acrylics\u003c\/a\u003e, a separate product. It is not sold as a replacement head for this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong handle\u003c\/strong\u003e — listed by Australian distributors at 18 inches, about 46 cm, so you can clean a deep tank without getting wet to the shoulder.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for acrylic\u003c\/strong\u003e — unlike API's glass tools, which the manufacturer bans from acrylic outright, this one is intended for soft panels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePad, not blade\u003c\/strong\u003e — nothing rigid to gouge a panel if your hand slips.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne-piece tool\u003c\/strong\u003e — one scraper per pack, with no consumable parts to reorder.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRinses clean\u003c\/strong\u003e — API's directions are to rinse with tap water before and after each use.\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\u003eLong-handled algae scrubbing pad\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSurface\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcrylic aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHandle length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 46 cm (18 in) — Australian distributor figure, not published by API\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBlade\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone — scrubbing pad only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack quantity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 scraper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eReplacement pads\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone published by API\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\u003eIf aquarium gravel is picked up on the pad, wash it off before using, since gravel will scratch acrylic surfaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not use pressure so extreme that the acrylic scratches or breaks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gravel warning is the one that catches people out. Acrylic-safe describes the pad, not the sand grain stuck in it. Lift the pad clear and rinse it whenever it has been near the substrate — particularly along the bottom few centimetres of the panel, which is exactly where algae collects and where sand gets picked up.\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\u003eFilm and green spot algae on acrylic panels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeep tanks where you would otherwise be in up to your shoulder.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoutine weekly cleaning of the viewing pane.\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\u003eHard calcium or coralline deposits\u003c\/strong\u003e — a pad will not remove them, and extra pressure on acrylic risks a permanent mark.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTight internal corners\u003c\/strong\u003e — a long handle works against you there. A bare hand pad is better.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScrubbing near the substrate without checking the pad\u003c\/strong\u003e — see the gravel caution above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat API does not publish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI's accessory pages carry only a name, a short description, the pack count, directions and cautions. There is no published figure for the handle length, the pad size, the materials, the weight, or whether it floats. The 18 inch handle figure above comes from Australian distributors rather than API, and we have labelled it as such in the spec table. API also gives no product-specific freshwater or saltwater statement for this item, though it lists it among its saltwater accessories.\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 bare pad for corners and seams the long handle cannot work into.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-algae-pad-for-glass\"\u003eAPI Algae Pad for Glass\u003c\/a\u003e — if you also keep a glass tank. The glass and acrylic tools are not interchangeable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-algaefix\"\u003eAPI AlgaeFix\u003c\/a\u003e — for when you are cleaning the same panel every few days.\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 — recurring algae usually traces 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\u003eDoes the API algae scraper for acrylic have a blade?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. API describes it as an extra-long handle with a durable scrubbing pad. There is no plastic or steel blade, which is deliberate — a rigid blade is a poor match for acrylic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow long is the handle?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian distributors list the handle at 18 inches, about 46 cm. API itself describes it only as extra-long and publishes no measurement, so treat 46 cm as a distributor figure rather than a manufacturer specification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill it scratch my acrylic tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pad is made for acrylic, but API warns that gravel picked up on the pad will scratch acrylic surfaces, and that you should not use pressure extreme enough to scratch or break the panel. Rinse the pad before and after each use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use this scraper on a glass tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI places no restriction on using the acrylic tool on glass — the prohibition runs the other way, with API's glass tools banned from acrylic. A pad intended for soft panels will simply be gentler than a glass-specific one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I buy replacement pads for it?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI publishes no replacement pad or part number for this scraper. The separate API Hand Held Algae Pad for Acrylics is its own product and is not sold as a replacement head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs it suitable for saltwater aquariums?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI lists this scraper among its saltwater aquarium accessories, but gives no product-specific statement. There is no material reason a scrubbing pad on a plastic handle would be limited to freshwater.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"API","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55242294722851,"sku":"BA2006","price":13.32,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/api-algae-scraper-for-acryli-43875857301795.webp?v=1790239779","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/api-algae-scraper-for-acrylic-aquariums","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}