The short answer
If you only read one line (by maker rating): for glass only up to 3/4 inch, hygger 953, M (Aqueon’s Large also covers 3/4 inch); for glass or acrylic up to 1/2 inch, AQQA AQ208, M; for a hand pad on glass or acrylic, Seachem DuoPad.
Our verdict
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Magnets, pads, a pole kit and a spray, with each maker’s glass and acrylic advice; we have not tested them.
Compare the picks
Compare the 9 glass cleaners
9 of 9 glass cleaners
| Glass cleaner | Suited to | Acrylic (maker) | Glass rating (maker) | Price | Specs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
hygger 953, MGlass-only magnet, 3/4 in | Glass only | Acrylic: not suggested | Up to 3/4 in | Check current price | |
No independent test; specs are the maker's. | |||||
AQQA AQ208, MTwo-blade magnet, 1/2 in | GlassAcrylic | Acrylic: plastic blade | Up to 0.5 in (12.7 mm) | Check current price | |
No independent test; specs are the maker's. | |||||
Aqueon Magnet, LargeWeighted magnet, 3/4 in | GlassAcrylic | Acrylic: yes | Up to 3/4 in | Check current price | |
No independent test; specs are the maker's. | |||||
hygger Ceramic Blade, MCeramic blade, glass only | Glass only | Acrylic: no | 8-15 mm | Check current price | |
No independent test; specs are the maker's. | |||||
Aqueon Magnet, MiniNano magnet, acrylic | NanoAcrylic | Acrylic: to 1/8 in | Not rated | Check current price | |
No independent test; specs are the maker's. | |||||
Seachem DuoPadMelamine hand pad | Hand padAcrylic | Acrylic: yes | Not rated | Check current price | |
No independent test; specs are the maker's. | |||||
API Acrylic ScraperHandled pad for acrylic | AcrylicLong reach | Acrylic: only | Not for glass | Check current price | |
No independent test; specs are the maker's. | |||||
hygger 6-in-1 kitLong-handle sponge kit | CornersDeep tanks | Acrylic: not confirmed | Not rated | Check current price | |
No independent test; specs are the maker's. | |||||
API Safe & EasyGlass cleaner spray | OutsideMineral lines | Acrylic: yes | Not rated | Check current price | |
No independent test; specs are the maker's. | |||||
How We Chose These Glass Cleaners
How this guide was built
built from manufacturer documentation, a hobby blog and owner reports; we have not tested these products ourselves.
What each pick had to show
A maker’s thickness rating or stated use, and, when we checked on November 7, sold by Amazon.com, by a store hygger lists as authorized, or by AQQA Aquarium, which matches the Amazon store aqqapet.com links to by store name and store-page id (we could not read the seller profile); third-party stores at or below the maker’s list price.
Sources, and our scraper guide
Sources, and our scraper guide
Maker pages, manuals, a safety data sheet, Glass Box Diaries (a hobby blog) and Reddit owners. Our algae scraper roundup lists Aqueon’s Small magnet and API’s glass scraper; the Aqueon Large and Mini and API’s acrylic scraper here are other sizes and models.
Detailed Reviews: The 9 Glass Cleaners
hygger 953, M, Glass-only magnet, 3/4 in
Verdict
A floating magnet hygger suggests for glass up to 3/4 inch.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: hygger.
hygger’s 953 manual rates the M for “≤3/4″ thickness glass” and says the pad will “float on the surface”.
Maker cautions (product page): “Suggest glass aquariums, not acrylic tanks.” “Don’t use the magnet scraper near sand or gravel.” “To prevent scratches on the glass, please make sure there is no gravel pancaked between the side pads.” “You should always inspect the pads and blade for any grit, dirt, or defects.” “Don’t suggest use for bow front, curved, or circular tanks.” “Place the brush and blades where children can’t reach them.” “When taking out the 2 pieces, please don’t put them close to each other; put a book between them.” “The blade is easy to put on and take off. Please don’t press too hard; otherwise, you may get cuts.” Manual warning: “Do not use stainless steel blade for acrylic aquarium. Do not put your fingers between the grip and the black scrubber pad, be careful of your fingers being pinched by the cleaner”. Manual: “Please do not directly suck the grip and the black scrubber pad together. Because the product has strong magnetism, it needs a strong external force to seperate them when they are sucked together.” “Please install and undo the blades carefully, also handing it well, because of blade edge.” “Please keep the magnet cleaner away from children, due to strong magnetism.” “Please don’t wear pacemakers and implanted heart defibrillators devices when you use the magnet cleaner.” “Please more caution with this very strong magnet, do not put your fingers between the two pads, simply rotate 1/4 turn to separate cleaner.” “Please keep a distance with all magnet-prone items, scissor, for example.”
Specs (linked: HG-953-M, black)
- Rating: glass up to 3/4 in (maker); listing under 0.8 in
Pros
- A 3/4-inch rating, per hygger
Cons
- Not suggested for acrylic, bow-front, curved or circular tanks, per hygger
AQQA AQ208, M, Two-blade magnet, 1/2 in
Verdict
A floating magnet with steel (glass) and plastic (acrylic) blades, per AQQA.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: AQQA.
AQQA rates the M “Suitable for tanks up to 0.5″ (12.7mm) thick” and says: “Stainless steel blade scrubs glass tanks; soft plastic blade safely cleans acrylic.”
Maker cautions (manual): “Please use caution when attaching and removing the sharp blades and store them in a safe place.” “Please use caution when using this powerful magnetic cleaner, and do not pinch your fingers between the two parts.” “Please keep the magnetic cleaner away from children.” “The magnetic cleaner is unsuitable if you wear a pacemaker or have a defibrillator implanted.” “Please keep away from all magnetic objects, such as scissors, etc.” Product page troubleshooting: “Metal blade on acrylic | Plastic blade only for acrylic tanks.” “Wrong size magnet | M size max 0.5″ glass. Test first.”
Specs (linked: AQ208, size M)
- Rating: up to 0.5 in (maker); listing less than 0.5 in
Pros
- One magnet for glass or acrylic by changing the blade, per AQQA
Cons
- “Plastic blade only for acrylic tanks,” per AQQA
Aqueon Magnet, Large, Weighted magnet, 3/4 in
Verdict
A sinking magnet with glass and acrylic pads, rated by Aqueon to 3/4 inch.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Aqueon.
Aqueon rates the Large (model 100106172) “Ideal for glass or acrylic aquariums up to 300 gallons or 3/4″ thickness”. Its scrubber “is bottom-weighted that will fall straight down if separated.”
Maker cautions: none on Aqueon’s page.
Specs (linked: Large, 100106172)
- Rating: glass or acrylic up to 3/4 in (maker)
Pros
- “Both a glass and acrylic scrubber pad included,” per Aqueon
Cons
- The scrubber sinks if it separates, per Aqueon
hygger Ceramic Blade, M, Ceramic blade, glass only
Verdict
A floating magnet with a zirconia ceramic blade, for glass only, per hygger.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: hygger.
hygger says “compared to metal blades, ceramic blades are more friendly to glass, it will not rust or corrode”. Its manual rates the M for “0.32-0.6 in (8-15 mm)” glass. The manual adds that dropping it “may cause damage to the ceramic blade.”
Maker cautions (manual): “Do not use the ceramic blade magnetic cleaning brush on acrylic aquariums. It is intended for glass aquariums only. Never place your fingers between the rigid bristles of the cleaner and the soft-surfaced part, to avoid having your fingers caught between these two parts of the magnetic cleaner.” “Please keep the magnetic glass cleaner away from children due to strong magnetism.” “The magnetic glass cleaner is unsuitable if you wear a pacemaker or have a defibrillator implanted.” “Please use caution when attaching and removing the sharp blades, and store them safely.” “Please keep the cleaner away from all magnetic-sensitive objects, such as scissors.”
Specs (linked: HGY0002, size M)
- Rating: glass 8-15 mm (maker); listing 10-16 mm
Pros
- A blade hygger says will not rust or corrode
Cons
- Glass only, and a drop can damage the blade, per hygger
Aqueon Magnet, Mini, Nano magnet, acrylic
Verdict
The smallest sibling of #3 (same series), rated by Aqueon for acrylic up to 1/8 inch.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Aqueon.
Aqueon lists this size (the MiniBow magnet, model 100106154) as “Ideal for acrylic aquariums up to 10 gallons or 1/8″ thickness”, with an “Acrylic-safe scrubber pad included”. It adds “Can also be used on glass aquariums” but gives no glass thickness.
Maker cautions: none on Aqueon’s page.
Specs (linked: Mini, 100106154)
- Rating: acrylic up to 1/8 in (maker); glass not rated
Pros
- “Curved pad cleans flat and curved surfaces,” per Aqueon
Cons
- No glass-thickness rating from Aqueon
Seachem DuoPad, Melamine hand pad
Verdict
A two-sided pad for glass and acrylic, per Seachem.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Seachem.
Seachem calls the DuoPad “a non-scratch, dual surface algae pad for glass & acrylic”, with a melamine side and a “durable scrubbing side” for “the rougher grooves of rocks and driftwood.”
Maker cautions: none on the DuoPad page, which says melamine “performs on stains a lot like extremely fine sandpaper”; its FAQ: “Both are powerful abrasives”.
Specs (linked: DuoPad, 3201)
- Size: 4.5 x 1 x 2.5 in (maker)
Pros
- A melamine side Seachem calls “particularly effective at removing algae from scratches”
Cons
- A bare pad, with no handle or magnet
API Acrylic Scraper, Handled pad for acrylic
Verdict
A scrubbing pad on a long handle, for acrylic tanks, per API.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: API.
API says it “uses an extra-long, extra-strong handle with durable scrubbing pad for easy cleaning in acrylic aquariums”. The listing adds: “For use on acrylic aquariums only.”
Maker cautions: “Do not use extreme pressure on product.” “Do not use on dry surfaces. Rinse pad with tap water before and after each use. Caution: if aquarium gravel is picked up on pad, wash off before using since gravel will scratch acrylic surfaces. Do not use pressure so extreme that acrylic scratches or breaks.”
Specs (linked: acrylic scraper, model 43)
- Use: acrylic only (listing)
Pros
- An “extra-long handle to prevent hands from getting wet,” per API
Cons
- For acrylic only, per the listing
hygger 6-in-1 kit, Long-handle sponge kit
Verdict
A telescoping pole with flat and corner sponges, per hygger.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: hygger.
hygger’s HG-816 manual gives an “Adjustable handle: 1.95- 2.95 feet” and a right-angle sponge for “Cleaning the corners of your tank”. The manual says “Safe for all kinds of aquariums: Specially designed for both glass and acrylic aquariums!”, but the listing includes “1 metal blade”, so we cannot confirm the scraper for acrylic.
Maker cautions (manual): “Please be careful while using the algae scraper, because of the sharp blade.” “Please keep the cleaning set away from children.”
Specs (linked: HG-816, 6 in 1)
- Handle: 1.95-2.95 ft (maker); listing 19.7-35.4 in
Pros
- A right-angle sponge for corners, per hygger
Cons
- Only two of the six heads are sponges, per the manual
API Safe & Easy, Glass cleaner spray
Verdict
A spray for glass and acrylic tanks that cuts mineral deposits, per API.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: API.
API says SAFE & EASY “cleans both the inside and outside of glass or acrylic aquariums and cuts through white, crusty mineral deposits” and calls it “Safe for both plants and fish” (API’s safety data sheet gives no aquatic toxicity data). The label’s only direction for the inside is for empty aquariums: “When cleaning the inside of empty aquariums, use as directed and rinse aquarium thoroughly before using.” It gives no direction for spraying a tank that holds fish; we list it for outside panes.
Maker cautions: API’s safety data sheet: “Causes eye irritation.” “Wash all exposed external body areas thoroughly after handling.” “IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.” “If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention.”
Specs (linked: 8 fl oz)
- Size: 8 fl oz (maker)
Pros
- Cuts “white, crusty mineral deposits,” per API
Cons
- An eye irritant, per API’s safety data sheet
Glass, Acrylic and Sand: Before You Buy
Glass or acrylic safe? For its 953 hygger writes “Suggest glass aquariums, not acrylic tanks”, and it rules acrylic out for its ceramic magnet.
Sand. In a r/PlantedTank thread, a magnet (brand not named) scratched glass. Replies blamed grit (“Get a single grain of sand in there and it’s it’ll be an issue”); one owner wrote, “I probably bought one of the same velcro based magnet cleaners, no sand in my tank….it did the same thing.”
For the full routine, see our step-by-step tank cleaning guide. If fish look unwell after cleaning, test the water and contact an aquatic veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are magnetic fish tank cleaners any good?
Glass Box Diaries writes: “I can clean the front glass of my 40-gallon tank in under a minute using one”. It names their weakness as “corners and silicone seams”, and adds: “Some magnetic scrapers come with built-in blades, but I prefer the velcro-style models.”
Q. What is a good solution for cleaning aquarium glass?
Inside a tank, no soap: Aqueon says, “Don’t use buckets, scrub pads or any other equipment on your aquarium that have been used with soap or other chemicals.”
The bottom line
Final Verdict
Glass only: hygger 953, M, hygger Ceramic Blade, M. Glass or acrylic: AQQA AQ208, M, Aqueon Magnet, Large, Seachem DuoPad. Acrylic: Aqueon Magnet, Mini, API Acrylic Scraper. Corners: hygger 6-in-1 kit. Spray: API Safe & Easy.
Also see aquascaping tools.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
