API Hand Held Algae Pad for Acrylics
Pack size
1 pad
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
API Hand Held Algae Pad for Acrylics
Scrub algae film without scratching the acrylic. The API Hand Held Algae Pad is built specifically for acrylic aquarium walls, not glass. Acrylic is a soft plastic that marks far more easily than glass, so a pad rated for glass can haze or scratch an acrylic panel permanently – this is API's acrylic-only version.
Key features
- Soft scrubbing pad designed specifically for acrylic aquarium surfaces
- Held directly in the hand, with no attached pole, so it reaches into corners, around fittings and along seams a long-handled scraper can't
- Clears algae film from acrylic without hazing or scratching the panel when rinsed and used correctly
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | API (Mars Fishcare) |
| Designed for | Acrylic aquarium surfaces only – not rated for glass |
| Pack contents | 1 hand-held pad; no handle or pole included |
| Water type | Freshwater and saltwater aquariums |
| Acrylic-safe | Yes – this is the acrylic-specific version of API's algae pad range |
| SKU | 17163010449 |
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for algae film on acrylic aquarium walls, in freshwater or saltwater setups. Not suitable for glass aquariums – API sells a separate pad rated for glass, and it's the one to use there. Not suitable for dry surfaces or for hardened, calcified buildup that needs a blade rather than a pad.
Care and maintenance
- Rinse the pad under tap water before and after every use
- Check the pad for trapped grit before use – a single grain of sand caught in the pad is the usual cause of an acrylic scratch, not the pad itself
- Use light pressure only; extreme pressure can scratch or stress the panel
- Not for use on dry surfaces
Common questions
Can I use this pad on a glass aquarium?
It won't damage glass, but it isn't the right tool for the job. API makes a separate pad rated for glass tanks – use that one on glass and this one on acrylic.
Why does acrylic need a different pad to glass?
Acrylic is a soft plastic that scratches far more easily than glass. A pad rated for glass can carry a coarser finish than acrylic can tolerate; this pad is made to the finer standard acrylic needs.
Does this pad come with a handle?
No. It's a hand-held pad for the arm's-reach zone of the tank. For the base of a deep tank, a pole-mounted acrylic-safe scraper is the better tool.
Is there a warranty on the pad?
As a consumable cleaning pad, API doesn't publish a separate warranty term for it. Like any purchase from us, it's covered by the consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law.
